ReaderPaul

Man, what's going to show up next? Some GOOD and friendly Moth? A transdimensional portal in one of the bathrooms? A female version of Nicholaas called Nickielass? A second, alternate disc world Roorapynta? Bobby's Grandma Sue? Jeremiah Hawkins? Seriously, a fascinating chapter. I look forward to seeing where this goes next, though I would guess the guys head down the steps they just found.

Why, the answer is obvious, @drpaladin, @drsawzall, and @Geron Kees. (And anyone else who is curious.) Browbeat met Nicholaas at the wedding of Nicholaas and Ronja, which also took place off of the thus-far storyline. But is is also implied in last year's Christmas Charlie Boone story that Browbeat would have met Nicholaas at the annual Christmas get-together at Third Planet Inquires (TPI) activity room, also known as the bored room.

Not a problem! If a blackout happens, Lugh may simply not let light come through the windows and doors -- except what would be by candle or lantern light.

What a great start to the story! Browbeat has a unique take on Trash Day; Charlie and the guys have a potent ally in Oliver; I'm guessing Amy might have helped with fielding phone calls for the guys during construction phase of the road onto the property and the garage; the list of persons invited and discussed had to have been abbreviated, since Keerby and his girlfriend were not mentioned, and so on. And this is the perfect opportunity to meet Kiernan Willman's sister, and also to meet Ricky's younger sister and Ricky's even younger brother. The sister should be starting college about now, or a year ago, and the little brother be in high school. Any chance Kiley and Kiri from Twombly might be there? And what about Susan, the wife of Uncle Bob? Has she learned about the skwish of her husband yet?

I enjoyed this story. Especially I enjoyed the interactions of Hunter and his Uncle Rangi, and of Hunter and his cousins Range and Ari. Hunter's natural talents and good training become more and more visible as the story progresses. The story gets even better as it continues. There is one considerable flaw -- and that flaw is that there is not yet a sequel. (Hint, hint, @quokka!)

This is such a good story that it could use a sequel. However, such a sequel would be quite challenging to write. This story is both simple and complex as it explores adventure, friendship, love, loyalty, and problem solving -- most of those elements working together at the same time. Another theme might be necessity versus sheer greed. Well worth reading, with one warning -- do not read unless you have at least a little imagination. It's that good.

Lots of life lessons are pointed out in this story. Some are pointed out gently, and some a bit more bluntly. People must take priority over "things," even if the "things" are quite valuable in monetary terms. I have only one minor problem with this story. The problem? As of December 2023, this wonderful story does not yet have a sequel. Well worth reading in spite of that minor flaw.

I remember reading this story some years back. I enjoyed the problem solving skills Wesley demonstrated, and was glad of the ending. I cannot say everything I would like to about this story or I might give too much away. Worth reading.

I thought Peyronie's Disease was a severe curvature of the erected male protuberance.

So, @astone2292 -- When do we learn more about Jared? All the stories are great in this sequence, but I really would like to see more of Jared -- and also more of Frederick.

Hmmm, I had not thought about Riding Lessons as a western, possibly since Andrew told me in an email years ago that it takes place in an unspecified midwestern state. But it does make sense. Thanks for doing these deep dives, @Myr.

I also have to look up Dominick the Donkey.

In my theory, Jamie might have made Sedwick's maypole under his conscious control, such that Sedwick could lengthen, widen, shorten, etc. at will. However, that might require more magick than Jamie yet knows, or more magic than Sedwick could control. Since Sedwick is described as the prince Sedwick, does he have any brothers or sisters? Does the Kingdom have a policy of "only males may inherit the throne?" I am sure that, after reading this for the sixth or seventh time, I can arrive at more questions, @Geron Kees. I have read the complete story at least five times so far....

I em enjoying this. However, one suggestion, @R. Eric -- don't go into the technology too much, or the story could bog down. Do you have a possible timeline of when the land dome and sea dome might start construction? Also, will we hear more of what is happening on earth and the other Arks?

Years ago, I was going through a museum at the same time as a teen girl. We entered the first room after going through the gift shop and there was a clown mannequin and a lot of action figures, and the girl stood far away from the clown mannequin and said, "I'm afraid of clowns and dolls. At least the action figures are okay." I said, "I'm old enough to remember when action figures were being introduced, and remember the discussions of how action figures are just 'dolls for boys.' " She said, "No they're not! Action figures are NOT dolls!" I didn't say anything additional on the subject.

Seeing the definition at the top reminds me of a company I worked for who cut most of the personnel working in recycling in the name of "cost-cutting." Then they announced ambitious recycling goals which were impossible to do without most of the cut personnel. Some strange things came out of the "realignment." Persons in automotive departments were reassigned to pet departments and paint departments.. Persons in health and beauty aids were also assigned to pets. Persons in cameras, electronics, and photo departments were assigned to toys. Persons in toys were reassigned to stationery and party supplies. Most of it did not make sense to me.

More leads on science fiction and science fantasy! This post is going into my "GA Info" folder for much future reference. Some stories could have been in the listing(s) but were probably not marked in the appropriate sub-genre by the author. For example, the Doorways/Doors series by @Geron Kees has dystopian and post-apocalyptic elements, as the main characters try to discover the why of what is being investigated. @JamesSavik also has many good short stories and a couple of longer ones which would fit into some of these categories, as does @Cynus. @Myr, these deep dives you are doing in various fields are a great service to readers such as myself. Thank you! And Myr -- some of YOUR stories beg for sequels, please! all you would need to do is find an extra 40 to 60 hours of extra time in each week....

Well, then, @JamesSavik and @Bill W -- Fluorine must be especially sexy!

A short but very sweet story. However, it is a sweet story without being "sappy." That can be hard to manage, but @Mancunian has accomplished the difficult with seeming ease. (It was probably more difficult than the smoothness and wonderful flow of the story would indicate.) Some simple acts of caring led to steps of progress. Well worth reading.

A caring, yet fascinating story. Rivalry sometimes can be a bit one sided. Well worth reading.

I am not sure of whether this is my first story in this universe or the second. However, the subject is sometimes a rough one to tackle. You've done well with this one. I know of another author (I have not been able to persuade him to join and post on GA yet) who has written several stories about homelessness as well as other themes. It is a pleasure to see an author tackle the subject with sensitivity and care. This is especially true when the story is such a good one as this. Well done.

Hey, that's great! How about "The Charm of The Party of the Fourth Part"? Where The Charm series meets "The Party of the Third Part"? Does Jesse or Marty happen to have an uncle named Jeremiah Hawkins?

Not only that, but I think the undisclosed location near the North Pole, Engris, Lyrgris, the alternate Earth they went to with Ilessa, the alternate earth where they met Pilfer and Costel, the planet where they rescued Casper, the Cooee, the discworld where they met Kontus, and the Beltracian arsenal world would qualify as outside the US. I would like to see a crossover with Jack, Jerry, and Amanda from "The Party of the Third Part" to either the Charlie Boone universe or the Doors universe. Or an even wilder crossover with Marty, Jesse, Brian, Nick, and David from "The Charm of Being a Pig" and either the Doors or Charlie Boone! Hey, maybe Third Planet Inquiries (TPI) could have a mystery near where Jesse, Marty, and company live? Or perhaps one of them is a cousin to either Amy or to Kiernan Willman?

This is a worthy and good addition to the "Charm" stories. I enjoyed the differing viewpoints David gave to the other four guys as the story developed. The contrast between the New York upstate attitudes and the California attitude is intriguing and illuminating. The four guys and David all learned from each other as the story progressed, and the result is a better story than if it had focused only on the four boys without meeting David. It is very helpful to have read previous "Charm" stories first, though not strictly necessary. I loved this 52,014 word short story. It is so much fun to read it does not seem nearly that long!

At this point I have not used AI tp generate any pictures. I probably will not be experimenting with that in the near future, due to limited time.