Anton_Cloche

Interesting going down on I-95 and Driver Tim was a Christmas present for Alec and Rick (and vice versa). Good thing Alec and Rick didn't hook up with John and Ken. Who knows what they might have left them with. 😳 Now comes thumbing 👍 their way through (could be dangerous or risky) Georgia. St. Augustine 🍊 can't arrive quick enough.

Unfortunately emboldened by Alt Right BAC (B****** A*** UNChristians) who've forgotten parables the "good book" actually says like "treat others as you'd treat yourself" by a loving Lord and not a vengeful one. 😥. Hope and 🙏 Rick and Alec find a safe and welcoming haven in Florida, versus vengeful righteous and sanctimonious.

Well five and a half years on, I suspect that shoulder problem flew away like a 'Lonesome Dove'. But 'Speech to Text' Apps are much improved and as an editor I often recommend them to authors who are physically challenged with writing, typing etc. A wonderful @Headstall story from 'the old west', told (IMHO) in a style similar to that of Louis L'Amour (aka Rex Burns, Jim Mayo) in his poetry, 250 short stories, and 100 novels. You've re-piqued my interest in this genre. Thankfully you have many stories for me to read. Gary

Sounds like another Cap'n Jack, but one that made people walk the plank. Getting chucked out of a jet at altitude without a chute? Not even a sparrow would survive that. 😅 As for Devin's continuing issues? Following the fallen tree limb, the subsequent surgery and titanium 'connectors' implanted and affixed to help bones heal, he continues to harbour impatience, stubbornness and anger, taking all of that out on Mac. Devin needs both a reality check and a session or three with the Shaman, perhaps telling Devin that he has to accept that there are reasons behind what happened to him are are part of his 'path'. Otherwise his life and his relationship with Mac may be in danger. Of ?

@empath @Summerabbacat summation so far is sadly pretty much on the money as far as John Renkin goes, both in previous stories that involved Cuntvilla De Vile as well as 'Draining the Ocean'. If only John had travelled to DC he could have attended Georgetown and maybe met CJ (😥) and together with Ozzie they could Drain the Swamp? As for "Frigid in Minnesota" you should take note of a recent $250K study (reported on Sky Australia) that said "couples that sleep together naked are happier". D'UH? My 'math' says 🪵 + naked partner = 😀 OR you're doing it wrong 😳 Living near the Great Lakes SHARED by 🇨🇦 with 🇺🇲, Lake Michigan viewed from my window does appear larger than the Pacific Ocean or Puget Sound, but it's all perspective (horizon and curvature of earth).

Right about now a quiet cabin, high on a mountain, FAR from the madness, sounds awfully inviting, and better with a pet name "Wolf". Unfortunately, the world has a way of creeping in, or revealing itself (which David Sr finds out whether in Egyptian pyramids or Peruvian Inca tombs. And when the past IS uncovered, the things it tells ...

So, an interesting day of amusing rides and dinner. Ending with: “Pleasant dreams,” Gramps said just before the door to our room closed. So @Bill W, is Gramps comment just the usual thing you'd expect someone to say, or is there some foreshadowing going on ?

Another fantastic chapter @Andre Delport with Devlin-Major Ry and Drew redefining the concept of a "Movable Feast". André, you've outdone yourself yet again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

That could be a big kelp, but seaweed is also a laxative. 😮 Would adding lots to diets of 'certain' people cut down on foggy bottom emissions? Speaking of methane related, fiber rich 🎃, like seaweed, is also a laxative.

@centexhairysub hit 'it' squarely on the head on his first 7 lines. If 'nickname' includes areas around CS-B, K-T and W, your 'assessment' is unusual 🤔. O, T, Q off to Hawai'i for a 🤿 vacay where everybody gets a lei on arrival?

So @irivera cliff hanger IS "waiting for the other shoe to drop"? IF that reality becomes publically known, Jonah would undoubtedly be dragged back to NC by his 'tar heels' to face what they pretend justice to be. BUT, Jonah needs to disclose that incident in order to get psychologically better, and by only telling his therapist can he be protected by doctor/patient confidentiality. As for @Cane23 comment about "part of rich children decadency lifestyle ..." , perhaps the word you wanted to use was 'debauchery'? 😉

Thank you @empath for this very good epilogue, one that follows the saying: "Always leave them wanting more". In this case it is MUCH MORE PLEASE. As much as the threads in this story wove a remarkable tapestry of sad lives in need of help (and getting some Just In Time), there are many, many threads hanging to form the next Book or three. This epilogue didn't reveal what happened to SAC Daniel (and his early demise), Juan and others. Not just the boys already rescued, but the latest -- unnamed and mutilated one 😢. Thankfully Roger 👼answered the phone, rather than letting it go to voicemail.

Like Grandpa's 1968 280SL Blue exterior & Tan interior with optional Pagoda hardtop? Still in excellent concours condition and only 55,000 miles. Purrs on summer days. Updated AirCon to comply (and works better), updated Becker radio appears OEM, but receives XM and 'dongle' for CarPlay, MB heated seats, retro-fitted MB 'kompakt' driver's airbag (plus other 'mod-cons' that are MB-sourced, not visible to the 'naked eye' therefore do not affect 'concours' rating). As for this: “Jonah, you went through something horrible. Our lives changed. Our story has changed and I don’t think we should continue with this. I love—” ... "Can we lay a little bit longer?” I ask. He nods and he scoops me into his arms and brings us back down. This is where our story ends. In a grey room in Connecticut is where I say goodbye to James Caldwell. 💔 💔 😥😢😭

Do you also play a mean banjo and wear an arrow through your head, being "A wild and crazy guy"? As for James texting Jonah: [Did you know there’s a ferry to Rhode Island]; a very well known sports figure quipped when queried by a novice young male Post reporter about ferries from NY to 'The Islands': "Yes there's a lot of us taking 'ferries' to the islands, including Sayville to Fire Island and The Pines. Do you want to climb on"? Hmm, this athlete is very adept at more than double entendres!

Great chapter @irivera with many (scary?) mental images created. First the "sixty-four thousand square feet ... house has two pools, a helicopter pad, a tennis court, a hedge maze, and fourteen bathrooms." which is the same size as real life "Mansion That Ate the Hamptons" Fair Field that costs $250 Million. Second must be that gawd awful stench bowl concoction that guarantees every bush gets 'Exorcist' spewed upon. Third, and finally, JAMES ! He's alive, or at least in Rhode Island, as he and Jonah connect briefly in a shocking phone call that causes Jonah to violently 'toss his cookies'. Hopefully they reconnect after Jonah is thoroughly sobered up and cleaned up. (strapped to top of Will's Range Rover and driven through a Car Wash). Is Will's unrequited love for Jonah getting thrown in the trash before Jonah recognizes it?

Another good chapter showing young David's initiative, skills and abilities to both problem solve and plan (for the future?). @CLJobe reveals that while David McLavic Sr is more interested in archaeology (Egypt, Peru etc.), he has clearly passed his thirst for knowledge, discovery and succeeding down to his son David C ( Jr or II ?). Young David's nascent engineering, architectural (and other) skills have been noticed: "David didn't know he was being evaluated for a position on the Board of 'The Cabin Company". The question is, while he is secretly being considered for a seat on the 'Board', is the owner and CEO of The Cabin Company, known to him? Uncle Frank? As for Bobby, while no one can replace Carl, a heart in need of healing often finds space for someone else who becomes 'special' without even trying. Sometimes just a 'special' friend, perhaps blossoms into something more. 🤞 💕

Let the puns begin? Guess we can see where this may be headed? Or as someone (Pryor?) once said: "It takes some to know cum." Domenico is just a tadpole in this boarding school.

But what if "building a better mouse trap" becomes a learning exercise for "them" (both mice and "evil skinwalkers")? Speaking of skinwalkers, plural. it seems there are (at least) two different ones. The first that was clearly "stalking" Mac, Devin and the parents. That is worrying as it shows a level of intelligence. Or as it like wounded animals that sometime seek out humans for help? Is it possible that they can revert to "normal" humans or "good skinwalkers"? What happens is either or both are wounded but not incapacitated? Nothing more dangerous than a wounded and trapped prey.

And as we saw in the early part of this chapter, there are and will be some sad events as well: "...sixteen alive and the remains of five more.” The five faces they had been too late to save flashed through his mind, and Daniel knew others would likely join them". And "Daniel didn’t make an appointment at the clinic over lunch. For days, he had convinced himself he was simply worn down. His symptoms were each relatively minor, and it was tempting to continue pretending he was fine. Since blissfully waking up in Juan’s arms, however, Daniel suddenly cared more than he ever had about a future..." And while @empath is busy creating yet another remarkable chapter (in this book 📓, Hint Hint), there will be (?) much more to tell, that should spill onto the pages of a Book II of a Trilogy (in time? No pressure at all 😉 ). Perhaps what would normally be an Epilogue (perhaps "10 years later"?) can do double duty as a Prologue for the next installment? I mean looking FAR down the road to your eventual semi-retirement, you need something to do in your dotage 😮. Oops 🙂

It may be a reasonable assumption that this part of young David's story is sometime in the 1960's to mid-1980's. Afterall, commercial / public 'mobile' / cellphones were not available until 1983. And first 'personal' computers while created in the 1970s, were not widely available until the 1980s. As for Bobby being "homeschooled", a lot of children in remote or rural communities were previously, and to this day (2025), educated at home. COVID was the most recent example. Glad to see David's planning (and actual building 'Plans') for his mountain cabin (up the hill from the Lodge) progressing. Wonder if the "men that were there were looking over my shoulder" are businessmen connected to David's Uncle, investors interested in his "plans" or some of the developers trying to buy (steal) the mountain property? David needs a dog to warn off strangers.

I wonder how many know why it was called "honey pot" instead of the more appropriate (?) "Chamber Pot"? My grandfather said it was because 💩 attracts more flies than 🍯. As a young child, that description might turn you off eating honey 😄 (Pooh 'squirming' on the seat?) 🤣

Given the current state of affairs, the "good old days", while far from perfect, were idyllic in comparison.

Composting ... Cookies?

Thanks for this new chapter @CLJobe with young David designing an off the Grid cabin. Now, being off the Grid does not mean no power. David could use solar arrays or even propane to power some appliances. But you mention David using Kerosene, which may indicate a timeframe that predates use of solar. @VBlew mentions composting toilets for inside the cabin, and there are 'dry' versions that require no chemicals, lime etc., but the require an exhaust fan to deal with odors, and turning/rotating the 'contents' to ensure proper breakdown. @weinerdog queried keeping certain foods chilled during warm weather. If there is a natural spring or a river that flows down the mountain, that water would likely be cold enough to keep most items chilled. And now we wait to see what happens next ✌️.

Editors, unlike publishers, are not surprised when writers speak as if they have no idea about what's coming next. (What flows next is observation only and NOT any reflection on @empath ). Many have speculated and expressed concern about the "voices" in some heads ... of writers. Many famous and great authors, playwrights etc. have relied on 'muses' (heroin, opium, cocaine, other drugs, alcohol etc.), to help them create or cope with personal struggles, including but not limited to: * Shakespeare * Edgar Allan Poe; * William S. Burroughs: ("Naked Lunch"): * Ernest Hemingway; * Hunter S. Thompson: father of "gonzo journalism," * Stephen King: * F. Scott Fitzgerald: "The Great Gatsby" For me, I patiently await the next and coming chapters in @empath's Kept Boy to Made Man