PBax

Everyone always assumes Mom and Dad has everything taken care of until the car accident happens. My question.... Do the admins have the ability to download the site data to a separate private disc? The admin owns the data, I think? Yes, I'm asking probative questions... But I haven't seen admins address here. The website I owned, I could access and download assess at my liberty. I know stuff is different here, but do we know the contours of the admins thoughts here? what they think on this? how would they help? I haven't seen admin offer thoughts on this thread.....

What if God required human sacrifice? Would it be more palatable if that God talked to you, wasn't capricious and kept promises? Once I started this story I wasn't able to stop reading. The characters' questions became my questions. Does God ask too much? Am I strong enough? Do I get enough now? Can I withstand the weight of waiting for future promise? The story is compact, totaling less than 40,000 words. Perfect for me. For any naysayers, I assure you there is a complete emotional orchestra ready to play for you. Several moments of the story made me cry before I realized what was happening. The imagery and emotional presentation were beautifully overwhelming. Sometimes it made me sad. Sometimes it made me happy. I think some real care went into the characters in this story. The alternate earth, space, future, science fiction type tags of any story make me very hard on the first few pages. If it doesn't quickly read approachable and comfortable, I'm out. This story is easy to read, wants to be read, and I felt like it asked me to sit down and immerse myself in the story. This is a fantastic story. Wonderfully written. Highly recommended.

To choose just one story from last week, Confluence by @Refugium. It's one in the ongoing series Stories from Old Photographs and I've enjoyed all of them. Time is a constant problem. Our system needs completely redesigned. But as a start, we should start by listening to our chronobiologists and getting our bodies back in line with our natural circadian rhythms--like all the other living things on the planet. All this faffing around with DST vs ST is just entirely squandering the opportunity to do something constructive. Hope about we change our clocks every month? Week? Practically all the clocks change by computers these days. Why not have the clocks change every day in relation to the Time Zone so we're always in sync with natural day and night? Just spitballin, of course....

I'm not familiar with the Chosen series. This short or collection of vignettes was just awesome. I really enjoyed this! Each one was unique and each one was a delight. Well, that last one, it was unique too but I got lost on that one--but I suspect that was because I don't know anything about the Chosen series. With the first four I didn't think I was missing anything and they were perfectly clear. I think they were wonderfully done presented like this and I really enjoyed it.

After seeing the chapter getting pulled back for editing, I was happy to see it post. I'm suspicious of how Samael interjected and got right into the Hill house before anyone had a chance to answer otherwise. At this point, Ritter has given over his good senses in exchange for Samael's constant ministrations. I'm concerned for Mr. Ream. Looking forward to meet the unsettling visitor.

Huge amount of story in this short story. Twists and surprises kept me reading and I was engaged the entire story. It's always nice to be entertained by the supporting characters as well. Refugium has a particular knack for crafting a tale, and I think it's put to very good use in this story. Definitely worth the read.

I enjoyed this tremendously! This "incident" is a wonderful morsel of conversation between two amicable gentlemen on a train. I was smiling throughout. A great study on well done dialogue. This is well worth more than the time it takes to read.

I appreciate and enjoy a story that can take care of business in less than 25,000 or less words. Boundaries: An Old West Tale delivers. From the first to the fourth, and final, chapter the clear and concise writing provides an essential picture of setting, character and tone. Could the story be expanded into 75,000 words? Sure. Would that automatically make it better? Absolutely not. This is wonderful writing in shorter story form and I enjoyed it beginning to end! I don't think I'm jumping the gun to say that Headstall is well along his way of finding a voice and niche that feels as natural, comfortable, and rewarding for him as it is for the many fans who continually clap for more of his writing. I'm clapping right along.

I read this story about a month ago and it was written a decade ago. Issues around identity, both self-identity and how others (mis)identify us and characterize us, are as relevant now as they were a decade ago. Hate crime is rising again. Our protagonist rises against his challenge here; while giving us a moment to consider our thoughts on self-defense and vigilantism. I thought this story was tightly constructed and the pacing was great. Once you start you'll read until the end. Great story.

I enjoyed this story. The interaction Justin and Kyle had with the soda vendor really sticks in my mind. Light-hearted and fun to read. I don't think I've read more than two comic books in my whole life, but I'm glad I stopped and read the story.

I am conflicted on several layers. So you can say I'm staying. 😀 Love the prologue. I think the comment in the obit is just 1899 slang for Nice Guys Finish Last. Back then they had a way of making things sound so much more poetic, lol. I know Samael's age is clear. Why does drawing a young man as a temptation, even instigator and an adult as without control make me uneasy here? And why should I acquit myself of that disease so quickly when we paint that same youth as the devil? I don't know if that was clear. But I like what you have done so far. I'm looking forward to more.

Having read Sidewinder, the predecessor story, I was happy to rejoin Boone and Coy in Larkspur and was quickly in their hands for a new story. If you haven't read Sidewinder yet, stop now and go read that story first. It adds a layer of depth to Larkspur that both you and the story deserve. Larkspur delivers another unapologetic romance set in the Old West. It's a story about love and finding a place to feel happy and safe and whole. It's a story about heart. And in delightfully so, this story is also about older mature men. One of the characters even has some slight salt and pepper hair. This is a romance so don't expect any loss of virility, but the appearance of older man/older man (gasp) romance is something I loudly applaud. And in the hands of Headstall, men of all age get to be sturdy enough and vulnerable enough to support a happy ever after. You'll fall in love with the characters as they love each other. And Headstall engages us from beginning to end and drives us delightfully to a triumphant conclusion. I'm generally a fairly cynical and jaded old dog. And we live in times when hatred and vitriol are once again poisoning our common spaces. But here in Sidewinder and Larkspur we can find some solace, hope and a great big helping of heart. Your soul needs this romance story. Lift your spirits and breathe in the love. Read Sidewinder. Read Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale. Very enjoyable!

Recipes Worth Trying: Ditch the box and try from scratch. I've been making this recipe for decades. It has been around a long time. I found this in the mid-80's in a Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (c) 1962. Super simple. Super good. Super worth it. Brownies (Fudge-type) 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 2 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate, melted 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Blend in chocolate. Stir in flour and nuts. Bake in greased 8x8x2 inch pan at 325 degrees 30 to 35 minutes. Cool. Cut in 16 squares. Obviously, the nuts are optional. If you love dark and/or special chocolates, you see the possibilities. One of my favorite ways to serve: Have a few friends over. When time, put the brownies together and pop them in the oven. (Once you learn this recipe you can have everything ready and it takes minutes to put it together. Plus, there is always someone who enjoys speaking with you one on one for a minute (or is it just me)--now is their time. You feed two party needs at once.) Don't wait for the brownies to cool. Divide it into fourths, put them in the bottom of 4 bowls, top with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. That's what friends are for.

Thanks for the suggestions and support! I spent way more time than I intended trying to find the kind of solution I was hoping to find. I'm still trying to decide my favorite tool to work with plain text files but the hard part is done. Regardless, I was able to tame the factors that kept eluding me previously. I can make a file format correctly now. More importantly, I can make it format incorrectly on purpose too, and in more than one way, put it back together and have it survive the plain text translator on GayAuthors in perfect order. I have battered at this more than I should probably admit, LOL. Anyway, thanks again for lending help @Carlos Hazday @kbois @Luca E (As an aside, I have no recollection how I dealt with this back in 2015. It all feels totally new to me. Odd.)

The author tells us this story is "…a simple human drama about wanting what we all want... to stay alive, have a place to call our own, and someone to share it all with." But don't think the story is simplistic. It's simple only in the sense that the themes are elemental and essential. The setting is the Old West, but I really encourage you not to allow pre-conceived notions of the setting let that keep you away. Just accept the earth and sky into the story. The wide-open spaces allow you to feel all the more clearly and deeply with the characters. I want to make a special note about the powerful descriptive skills employed here. After one exhilarating passage that intertwined description of scenery with description of action with description of emotion, all so incredibly well laced together--I felt nearly exhausted because it had elicited such visceral reading. Again, forget the setting. Just let the author guide an experience for you. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding read. I will be looking for another story from Headstall.

I almost put this down a couple times very early in the story. I didn't think I had the energy for it right now. But I stayed for the ride and got a lovely journey and an ending I needed. I look forward to checking out your other stories. I enjoyed the heart in this story.

Thank you, Mancunian. This is the first thing I've written since my stroke (here for the site or still secret between me and the keyboard). I appreciate your words.

Gang. Please help. So I get that I should save my stuff locally in plain text before submitting it to the site so it formats correctly (I think). And since I use Word I've noticed the word "do this" sign about replacing ^p^p with ^p and setting 0 and auto and I'm doing all this and ...... All I keep ending up with is too many lines between paragraphs, no paragraphs, sometimes no spaces between lines, improper tabbing, etc. Plain text or otherwise or the ^p^p stuff everything just feels like a mystery. I'm getting frustrated. I just want to friggin set parameters, save it and be done with it. But every time I try to save the file everything changes. I use Word--very old and very legal version of Word 2007. For those in disbelief, yes it actually is a real thing. If you want to see a pic of the original discs and packaging let me know. The stuff is like antiques now, I know. Anything on a disc from 2007, ROFL. Anyway, the problem is with me I'm pretty sure. Help. @Carlos Hazday is there any chance you can help me find the right buttons again?

There is something about the rhythm of the dialogue you created with Cory that immediately wanted me more (edit: I meant to say: "that made me immediately want more"). I was ready for the fun--simply because I loved the dialogue you gave me in the first couple chapters. Are they people I know, or want to know, I don't know; I was there. Our parallel duos are remarkable as well. The impossibly, unknowable realities that generate myth for generations could cause confusion and doubt for anyone. But you show us possibilities and that is our best hope. For me, this part of the story is more difficult to follow--but I'm not sure why it should be clearer for me than it was for Cory. I enjoyed the read! I'm off to look at your other stories.

Thanks so much! You managed to get me to click the right button. So I did this Copyright © 2015 - 2023 PBax; All Rights Reserved. Is that what you had in mind? Certainly works for me or did you have something in mind that works better?

I know this is from a few months back, but since software isn't typically a weekend project I'm gambling you might still be interested in replies. I love prompts. Some are dead on arrival. Some generate a response that I'll decide to keep poking until it does something or not. And some are like magic and a character and words start forming faster than I can type. That blast of energy, or touch by a muse, or crack in a mental wall, the simple irrepressible force to write something--that's just everything and wonderful set on fire. And then, once awakened, you can carry around that ember and let it light other projects or stories. But eventually, that ember dies (for me anyway). So a new prompt is the tinder and spark to let me build some new embers.... The more prompts the better for me. I love your idea. If it generates enough support that you decide to move forward (or maybe you are already), I'd be happy to be a "tester" if you ever want some.

I have always associated the word frolic with a kind of innocence. Kittens can frolic. Frat boys though?

I'm a returning member. Back in 2015 I created a Story created "PBax's Prompt Work" and then submitted individual prompt responses as Chapters under that story. (Back then, and I think still now, that is the right thing to do. Keeping short submissions as a Collection rather than littering Stories.) Anyway, the Story is stamped with Copyright © 2015 PBax; All Rights Reserved. The Chapter I just submitted is also stamped with the same Copyright © 2015 PBax; All Rights Reserved. I can't figure out how to update the copyright stamp so it's 2023--either the Story from 2015 or the Chapter I just submitted. Or am I using the idea of Collection wrong now and I just need to start a new Collection with a more current process? Hope this makes sense. Thanks.

Prompt February 2023 “Looks like we are in for six more weeks,” Jesus said as he leaned over to Doug. “I already have sand in my shoes and we haven't even been to the beach, Jesus. How does that happen? It's everywhere. Hot and stuffy in here. The shocks on this bus feel older than us combined. Is there a bar in the back?” Doug barely took a moment to catch his breath. “Six more weeks? We both know differently. Look at the date, Jesus. I pinched this out from the seat pouch in front of