MikeL

Cliff James has posted Chapter 33 of Circumnavigation, "From Turkey, With Love".

I like well-written stories. The mere implication of something physical between two characters is sufficient to hold may attention. The plot and wordsmithing are more important. In short, the most important "character" in a story is the author.

It really sounds like Mitch may be one of Brett's exes.

We are smoking two pork shoulders (a/k/a Boston butts ). That should be plenty to feed 18 people with a little left over. Smoking takes a while, so we will start this evening for tomorrow's (July 3) lunch.

Slightly reminiscent of Do the Locomotion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkN4J2l1UaA Above videos for old and young alike.

I don't object to being considered a hero, but...once again for the record...I have never followed a goat trail through a minefield. Unlike most goats, our author has a vivid imagination.

I agree with you, Matt. The best approach to parenting is the middle ground with a balance of freedoms and restrictions (or responsibilities). As the child ages, as he matures, the balance should gradually change to allow more freedoms and require fewer restrictions. While the parent should be teaching the child some important life lessons, it's unfortunate that some parents never learn. No one starts out as a professional parent. If they were themselves well-parented, they have a model to build on. But parenting is frequently a learning process and a trial and error experience for the parent. Not every child is the same; not every child can be treated the same. The younger child should never have more freedoms than the older child; this would only breed animosity from the older child and problems for the parent that they would not be able to cope with. The one thing that has stuck with me about parenting my own sons is that each one seemed easier than the preceding one. I must have been the one who was maturing.

Readers should keep in mind that Circumnavigation is a work of fiction. I am neither the cause of a cliffhanger appearing in the current chapter nor am I about to certify anything. I have never had any amphibious assault training. My military service was in field artillery with the rather esoteric specialty of target acquisition. I worked as a communications and reconnaissance officer, an airborne observer, and a battery commander. I have never followed a goat trail through a minefield.

Well, I was wrong about that...not that Jonny Landon didn't play an important role in Chapter 17. The replay of his disturbing pastime

Alright! Another spruce! Question is: Are spruces compatible with oaks?

Amazing! All my pictures were taken in the past.

Great blog, James. All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix must be the best of the rock classics. How many hundreds of covers have there been? My favorite... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3goJ6YUjE70 There must be some way outta here.

You're a spruce tree. You exude immense confidence, and you can evaluate things worth your time in mere seconds.

So, the chapter ends with... ...and you want me to do what? And yes, I noticed someone very familiar. Not funny, goat.

I should add to my earlier comments that I like many of the stories I read here whether written by American, British, or Australian authors as well as those written by authors for whom English is not their native tongue. I do notice some differences, but, as we say in Tennessee, vive le difference.

Cliff James has released Chapter 31 of Circumnavigation..."Standing Into Danger".

I've been without my father for eight years now. Celebrating Father's Day with my own sons today made me think of how brief a time I have remaining. We should celebrate more frequently. We are, after all, our fathers' sons.

In 55 nations around the world, today is set aside to honor fathers. If you are a father, Happy Father's Day to you. Have you wished your father a happy father's day? If not, stop what you are doing and call him now to tell him you love him. Are you estranged from your father? Why not call him and tell him you love him? That's a great way to begin the process of reconciliation. The day will come when you can no longer do that. I know as do many others here. Don't delay. The greater blessings will be yours.

Mine's the same year round. In fact, my sons claim I have the same haircut I had in high school. Tomorrow's Father's Day, by the way.

Happy Birthday, John! Hugs for you and Robbie. Everyone else, if you don't know which John we are celebrating with, see http://www.gayauthor...6127-rakuten06/

Here's why you should never blow your horn at an old person:

Would that really solve a problem or create new ones. Don't forget Corey's mother and her concerns about Jake. I agree with you on this point. Jake has a lot of pressure built up.