Geron Kees

You obviously enjoy writing. I hope you'll keep at it!

Well, it may be a little bit messy in there, but whose head isn't? I always enjoy your passion for people and the planet, nature, animals, and the welfare of life in general. You aren't alone in these passions, though we have all felt that we are, at one time or another. When you do feel that way, just remember your very own lines: One lone yellow leaf Clings stubbornly to its branch Refusing to quit And then remember that the leaf may be alone, but the tree will always be there.

Some more interesting windows to the interior of your head, Gary. Nice place, it would seem.

Sorry it's so hard to read on your mobile. Best laid plans, and all that. I'll see what can be done.

Well...I hoped there would be more of this story...but I also meant, there will be more stories in the future, right? <hint, hint>

Good to see this story here. There will be more, right?

I've already gotten the message on that. Anything new I post that is long is separated into sections. Going back and changing the ones already posted here would not be an easy task. I may do it at some point, but I cannot promise when. I have to admit that when I started posting I didn't really consider that people would be reading on their phones. I should have known better.

Great little spooky tale. The nod to Dickens only made it more fun. And you definitely succeeded in making it more creepy!

Fearful tale. How the human mind contends with situations too awful to bear always makes for good terror-telling tales. As a supporter of All-Out, I have contributed to campaigns to combat this sort of thing all over the world, but especially in eastern Europe. The problem moves from nation to nation, gaining support for a while, then fading away in the light of world condemnation, and then being reborn when the victor's backs are turned. Poland is in the grip of this terror even now. It's not a dream for many. The more tales like this one that get told, the fewer people can turn a blind eye to the issue. Thanks.

A 'day in the life' story in less than 50 words. A harsh lesson in reality in some times and some places. Excellent piece!

Excellent chapter, poignantly conveyed. Confessions are part of family life and friendships, and confiding to the special people in our lives the things we shoulder with difficulty is a sharing that binds us almost as closely as love. These two difficult past moments were warmly drawn, and well-told. I don't want to give anything away, so will just say that fathers and sons, and war, are always going to be subjects with similar themes to them, and that the battles can make or break a life, or the lives of many. Good job, CG.

It's wise to be cautious of all wildlife. They have as much right to life as we do, and for the most part they are more wary of us than we are of them. But you can't count on them maintaining that distance, and so should never let your guard down. We very much enjoy our animal neighbors, but from a respectful distance, whenever it is possible.

Nope, I don't mind at all how you read the story or how often or not you wish to comment. You say something, I'll be sure to answer. Thanks for taking the time!

Actually, the bears around here are more to be watched out for than the cougars. At least, so far. We were out biking in the woods one day back in the early fall, and came around a curve in the trail, and there was a small black bear right next to the path. I was in front, and stopped hard, and the person behind me just missed hitting me. The bear spent a long moment staring at us in the greatest of surprise before turning and taking off. That has been as close as I have gotten to a bear in a while. I was coming home from the office the other night, and a cougar ran across the road in my headlights, not five minutes from the house. We had been pretty sure we had seen them in the woods before that, at a distance, but there was no missing or mistaking this one! I called my friends and let them know about the positive ID. It makes you cautious to see things like this, certainly. And yet, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

Very good piece, Gary. I have to say I'm happy I cannot relate to this, though. I have not been there, or done that. Makes me sympathetic to all who have, who deserve better, and who wish for more. Keep looking out for, and loving, yourselves. I also miss your longer stuff. There is a hint in there, someplace.

If you have very small dogs that run loose, yes, I would be careful about that. Owls generally can't lift any animal much over five to seven pounds, but they will still attack them, and can seriously hurt them. Cats and kittens are even more at risk than dogs. An owl has some powerful (and sharp) talons. We have a small hound, but she's about 24 pounds and she is too big to be carried off. Nonetheless, we do not let her outside on her own, as we have wolves, coyotes, and bears to worry about. They generally stay well away from the house, but bears, especially, are very bold. This is not to even mention raccoons and fisher cats (fairly good sized weasels), which are also dangerous to pets. And we have eagles and falcons, too, in addition to a number of different owl species. And, lastly, I have seen cougars in the woods with my own eyes, though the county denied for years that there were any around. Recently they have agreed that cougars are repopulating the area. So owls are kind of low on my wildlife radar. My feeling is that your owl will stay to her normal hunting range as long as she is getting enough to eat. That one is something you'll need to play by ear. It would be a real shame to have to take her down, though.

My experience with owls is that they respect humans and will not bother them unless nesting. Even then, it's mostly a fly-over, sort of telling you to get a move on, 'or else'. Owls are worthy of respect in return, and have a nobility about them often lacking in other birds. I think one of the reasons humans have always called them 'wise' is that we perceive their patience, which comes across as consideration, something most birds do not seem to possess. And, as you so well described, they are an awesome bird in flight, absolutely silent, and absolutely deadly to the small creatures they hunt with great skill. A close fly-by is definitely something to get your adrenaline pumping!

We have a half-dozen types of owls where i live, including the Great Horned Owl. Very impressive hunters, and quite stunning to find watching you from a high branch. You captured that little thrill well here.

I get a sense of another time, and another place from this one. And perhaps, a lament for something now gone. Very touching, in a sort of sweet, smiling sigh kind of way.

Your car tells jokes? Man. Mine just beeps when it's thirsty and displays crappy world news all day long. Let me drive yours for a while! I could use a car with a sense of humor.

When it's an incredibly ancient star gate created by a race that seems to have mysteriously vanished from the universe? Or is that not the right answer?

Thanks, buddy. But I don't see the Door stuff meeting Charlie Boone. Charlie and the gang whiz all over space and time with the help of elves and starships...who needs doors? But now that you mention the Door stories...there is a third one coming. Shh!

Always enjoy a look inside your head, Gary. It's such a pleasing place!

They're happy to have you along, too!

Aren't they the same thing? That's about as close to meeting in the middle as it gets!