Parker Owens

I agree with you, Drew, the guitar version is better. Granados is an under appreciated composer, I think, but so much of the work of his I have experienced has been inspiring and evocative. You can hear traces of Satie in this, perhaps. This was a new composer to me. I have some exploration to do. Thanks, Lux.

Nothing is foolproof. Fools are ingenious. But Clint is by turns genuine, courageous, steadfast, kind and generous. That goes a long, long way. You continue to develop a character we can all love and cheer for. Thank you.

What an unforgettable weekend. You describe the delight and the newness of it well.

David's acceleration in free fall appears to be reaching terminal velocity. As he falls, he is shedding friends, family, self worth, everything, unable to resist the gravitational pull of the abyss. Spikey is surely right that Dad's absence is criminally negligent; so too is the psychologist. While it isn't surprising that nearly everyone seems more or less blind to David's real distress, this doesn't lessen the pain for the reader who still - despite David's accusations to the contrary - thinks David to be a fundamentally good guy. If this poor reader can beg and plead, perhaps Derek Jeter can come out of retirement long enough to catch one, sad, damaged boy before he kills himself on impact.

Here is a charming piece for a summer evening... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CTPrcBAq28Q

Robbie largely dodges a bullet. The price of silence could turn out to be very, very steep, though.The next bullet is going to be in the shape of Nathan. Good luck dodging that one. And he really needs to have it out with Nicola...what is her problem? Is she really just nasty?

Tim, thanks for re-reading these. You are perceptive in seeing some in color, while others seem in grayscale. What is good about these is that I do not need a photo album or a printer to recall what I experienced. The big question is why haven't I done this before?

You are most welcome. I take dreadful photos, so perhaps the words, though many, tell the story better. Anyhow, I am glad You read these, and I appreciate your response.

Perhaps these few words captured a thousand frames. In any case, your own words are most kind and I am deeply grateful you liked these.

Now you know how I often feel upon reading something of yours ! The Cinquain surely lends itself to this sort of observation; and as a math person, the 2-4-6-8 progression in syllables is somehow appealing. Hope you enjoyed this more than a travelogue (although I bet you own a stereopticon, too).

If this set of mementos left you contented and at peace, then I am very, very happy. And you got to see some of the magic I saw, too!

Dugh, you are so kind to respond in this way; I was captivated. It was great you could tag along, so to speak, on my journey. Thanks so much for your response.

We weren't camping, but 'cabining.' The idea is pretty close, though. Prefer moose to bears, I think! I am glad the family reunion photo touched you, too. It was as good as the formal group shot, perhaps. Thanks for reading these and hope it was better than a slideshow.

Thank you Emi, for your comments and for looking through my vacation poems. I have never seen a moose so close before, let alone one with a calf. I am very happy you liked them.

Great chapter, with lots of character insight. Travis is back, and it is clear he could be good friend. Even better, Clint gives his sister the business for dismissing Travis too readily. She could learn something, there.

You know how awesome this non-drama chapter was? Completely, totally, marvelously, awesome. Thanks for this New Year's party chapter: something to celebrate.

Oh, dear. Loz protecting himself will get Daniel thrown under the bus sooner or later. Loz can't possibly avoid putting his head up once in a while, but anything else is far too dangerous. Great and illuminating chapter.

Clarity. David needs more than moments of clarity, he needs a week full of it. At least. Perhaps Twoey, who has the goodness to be perceptive of his friend, can help David maintain some of that clarity. David's realization, and turning his anger on himself is still more dangerous, given his fragile state. Still, with guidance, he could be helped to use his clarity to take ownership of his situation, while channelling his anger to something positive. What chances of that? From the Disappearing Adults Data, I'd guess not much. Certainly the self interested Donny is unlikely to help. Twoey might, but he is about to be distracted by that silly party...to which David is still not invited. You certainly paint a bleak outlook for David, and describe his inner turmoil with chilling effectiveness. Perhaps the best possible outcome to this story is that there would be no further deaths. Not terribly prepossessing, is it?

Well. David gave Donny what he wanted; Donny is becoming less attuned and attentive, more self absorbed. Perhaps it was always that way. Donny gave David say serious headache and a hangover. His first of the latter, but not the former. Oh yes, and David screwed a boy and enjoyed it. What a Christmas Eve. Of course, none of this is anyone's fault, except for David's abusers, and Donny, who appears to be a David-user. You are certainly giving David plenty to get torn up about, even as he masks as much of his inner torment with the trappings of the holiday. I still don't understand the Case of the Disappearing Adults, but I am trusting you to make all things clear in the end.

Postcard from an eight lane highway packed nose to tail, baking in the summer sunset, waiting: no one sees the glowing taillights' river, but only mountainsides, oceans, good meals, and rest. Postcard: Eating gyros at an undiscovered restaurant, tzaziki smooth, crisp and tart; and your unguarded laughter, ringing out over a brilliant smile, is in itself a feast. Snapshot: sunshine breaking through grey striated cloud, promising an afternoon of blue skies; dark hills and distant fields

Could not agree more. And it surely is past time for both of them. Thanks so much for reading and responding to this, Tim.

So glad you enjoyed reading about this pair. They are fun to watch; easily as fun as birds or fugues. Thanks so much for responding to Tomas and Fletcher. There will be more, one day.

Each of these is a gem. Yours is a blessing to us who read it; to know there is such tenderness and love in the world makes all of it warmer and more deeply colorful. You both hurts and strengthens, for it is hard to experience another man's pain, and yet heartening to know the hope and enduring love that shines through. Thank you for sharing these.

A concert for one is about as special a performance as one could experience; about as, erm, intimate an experience as one could have in church. These two are fun to encounter, aren't they? Thanks so much for your comments!

This is part of the fun in such a forum thread as this; we get to discover one another through music. Like Ashi, my own taste is wide ranging. For today, let me share another piece that makes my heart sing...especially the third movement, which starts at 12.55. Also fascinating to me were these two videos. Techies perk up!