ReaderPaul

You can't be stuck in the past, or you'll lose the future. ~ P. R. Lawrence

Glad to see you back in the VUN universe. Any chance of Mitch showing up in New York, happening to run into Tony or Devon on the street?

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” ~ Mason Cooley

“Just because my path is different doesn't mean I'm lost.” ~ Gerard Abrams

Good Chapter, R. Eric. Sounds like Grandmother had far more understanding of the temperature of Makarovia than Eric did. But he is beginning to understand it. The more I see of Helga, the more I like her. But I also look forward to seeing more of VUN, as well.

I am aware of a site that will not let you use the word "index," but allows you to use the "f" word. Another site would not one use the word "gay" and was programmed to changed it to "homosexual." It was supposed to be a news site, but when a guy with the last name of Gay won a sporting event, the site looked silly with the results.... Oh, well, different rules, I guess.

I have many of the same concerns, Glen730. I can accept a spelling error if it happens oh, say, about every thousand words or less. But continual errors concern me. Also, continually mixing up your, you're, and yore, or two, to, and too, or there, their, and they're -- those make me want to pull out my hair (if I had much left, that is). One author continually misuses your and you're, and if the stories he writes were not so good, I would have given up a year ago. Another set of bothers are mixing up accept and except, and immigration and emigration. (If you don't know the difference, I can recommend using dictionary dot com). I have dyslexia (fortunately a mild case), so I can accept letters being transposed once in a while, if it is a word spell check might not catch. But I don't like it, especially if I make the mistake myself and do not catch it before posting!

I do see a slight difference with Chrome and Firefox. I have the latest updates on both, and Firefox is slightly faster than Chrome, and both are faster than Edge. But since I upgraded my internet service to 200 megabytes per second download speed there is little difference. I usually use Chrome because almost of my bookmarks are on Chrome. Until Firefox upgraded their security over the last six months, Chrome was better. I tried Safari and did not have good luck with it at all, so deleted it. I also use the Private Browsing/InPrivate modes when surfing, and I get less malware that way, even with my Internet security programming.

I have to agree with you, BHopper2. If Tolkien had not described some of his non-standard creatures, they would not be considered standard now. BUT, we do not always need an initial complete description. In a story I read some years back, three friends who were 12-year-old boys were three of the six main characters. One boy was described as thin, with fiery red hair, and nearly six feet tall, and having a father and uncles who were nearly seven feet tall.. That was an adequate description for the necessity of the story. Sometimes, "less is more."

“Silence is the only successful substitute for brains.” ~ Unknown

“A hard fact is that the truth isn't always nice and pretty. Sometimes it reveals something ugly or unflattering. It isn't as comfortable as a pretty lie, but the truth helps you to know who you are….” ~ David Fox-Schreiber

“Never underestimate the healing power of silliness and absurdity.” ~ Steve Maraboli

The way I heard it, the word "apart" was added after the word "growing."

I was very glad to see this new chapter. I read it right after it was posted, but it is almost impossible to use my phone in a speedy manner to comment. Had to wait to get to mu desktop computer. It looks like, to some extent, Aaru is realizing that his fate is tied to Tistan. Possibly Tistan sees more within Aaru than Aaru sees within himself at this point. Aaru still needs to continue learning, though, that diplomacy and politeness often accomplishes more than outright rebellion. Well done again, Gor Mu.

Looking forward to your next chapters in WHICHEVER series you post. They are all good. Since you said no crossovers, but are on a parallel/alternate Earth, I look forward to seeing a parallel/Alternate Rain Stevens showing up....

This is a wrinkle I did not expect. I look forward to seeing what happens next. Hopefully, Aaru will come to see more quickly that Tistan is not a bad sort.

Well, I didn't find "National Flower Potting Day," but "National Plant a Flower Day" is March 12. But seriously, how have the grandparents of the four boys reacted to them being gay and being two couples? And for Memorial Day, it could be titled: "It's Time to be Serious, Charlie Boone". But also seriously, thank you for the stories you are writing, Geron. I really appreciate them.

I respectfully disagree. If Betty or Colin are watching John walk away, either of them could try to assist John and George. After all, Devon probably got some of his talent from Betty.

Geron, I look forward to to seeing Charlie and Friends on Valentine's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, THANKSGIVING (hint, hint), and Christmas again this year and over the following years. And if you would throw in St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day (2nd Sunday in September), and National Boss' Day (October 16, a good day for Max and the guys, including Frit and Pip, to do something else good for Santa) that would be great! (And if you think I am trying to inspire you with ideas, you are right.) After all, we do not yet know how the grandparents of the guys, if any are living, have reacted to the sets of boyfriends.

Good chapter. I have been hoping for a new post in this story. I am guessing that life sometimes gets in the way of writing. I like the detail in your descriptions of the city, home, and culture thus far. The way you are proceeding reminds me of some other authors, good and bad. Good, because you have not allowed the descriptions to get in the way of the story. Bad--not you, but some other authors I have read over the years who have not put thought into their descriptions, and you come off very well in comparison to them. In addition, you are showing that normally like and trust take time, and development, not a "microwave" approach where, in one or two short chapters the characters almost magically like each other.

I like the writers who use strong female characters, or writers where equality is made obvious. The late Anne McCaffrey wrote many strong female characters. Alan E. Nourse had some back in the 1960s. Addym Kehris (not yet well known) is now writing some sophisticated science fiction where women are equal and so is the LGBT community. Alice Mary Norton legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton to write as Andre Norton, a name most would assume was male, so editors would read and publish her work. Would like to say more, but out of time.

Well, I like "doing it" with a female more than looking at it!

“I was hurt so deep that I made up my mind never to hurt anybody else, no matter what. I never made jokes about anybody's big ears, their stut- terin', or about them bein' off their nut.” ~ Entertainer Jimmy Durante (February 10, 1893 – January 29, 1980) was referring to being teased at school as a child for his looks, as quoted in: Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante (1951), by Gene Fowler. Durante was known for piano talent, singing, comedy, and a very large nose.

You will have to talk to Neil about that one. He is the physicist.

“Santa knows Physics: Of all colors, Red Light penetrates fog best. That’s why Benny the Blue-Nosed reindeer never got the gig.” ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson