Anton_Cloche

So far a good story, not to be confused with a really great series of stories, Love on the Rocks by Marcus McNally first published 2010 on crvboy.org: https://crvboy.org/stories/mm/s003/c03.html

"I'm one of those smart microwaves. I'm connected to the Internet. I have a programmable memory; it's called random axes memory or something like that". Whether by design or happenstance, @Lee Wilson has given us a tool with which to deal with such appliances... a "random axe" which we can access. 😉😀 If the axe isn't handy, perhaps "Seneca" or "Standing Rock" can use his tomahawk-like structure to nudge aside, push through or penetrate objects in question? As revealed in this demonstration:

Dave is the 'wave'? Interesting use of 'personification'. I always suspected the washer/dryer of 'eating' clothes. 😉

And "we" weren't before? (Or just didn't know it back before social media, personal "communicators" / cellphone, Satphone etc.).

While you are correct, there is always the possibility that once on a "notice" the person(s) of interest let down their guard to attend an international event, thereby open to interdiction. (A process the U.S. has used itself).

Surprised that more fire prone areas, especially those that have been rebuilt after a fire, do not mandate such systems, if and where sufficient water sources exist. Unless the expense of supplying water is higher than cost of insurance and rebuilding, it seems a no-brainer. Thank you @quokka for this latest story.

In 2061 who knows, but the ICC, (International Criminal Court aka The Hague), brings charges for 'Crimes Against Humanity'. Following 'Nuremberg Trials', many did pay the ultimate penalty. As for 'Presidential Immunity' created by a SCOTUS bought and paid for (aka 'stacked' by DT), hopefully reversed in years following 2024? As for guessing what the future holds? MegaMillions draw Nov. 5th 2024: #s 5, 11, 20, 24, 47. Bonus #1 😀

When you wrote "Phone calls at odd hours scared the shit out of him", my first thought was the 'The Day His Motor Died' is about his father's heart stopping. Then, the shit not only hit Michael's fan, it enveloped his whole life. My advice to Michael? Take that sabbatical vacay from the investment firm, pack the car and hit the road.

Having your 'thrice removed' surgically not covered under most medical insurance plans, ergo expensive.😉

A Loof ah I guess.

WTH Lee? Have you gone full rogue (3 days before a real scary election with nobody taking out the trash)? Apparently in your version of 'a' future, 2061 (guessing 'we' won't be there?), the history of old nuke testing on atolls in South Atlantic and Pacific comes to mind. Time to create another reef?

@chris191070 comment is right on target. Most definitely not winning Mother of the Year award anytime soon. Sadly for young David and his sister Beth Ann. Dad David is resigned to the problem but still affected by it. Another interesting chapter @CLJobe where we see young David becoming more interested is his father's work. A future career?

Teddy's actions make you wonder if Victoria's previous boarder was responsible for corrupting Teddy. Unfortunately 'Jail House Justice' robbed that question being asked. Teddy is most definitely trouble with a capital 'T'.

Interesting story @E K Stokes, well written with suspense and mystery drawn out for readers. Of course, we know the barbaric reality of the gruesome murder of Tsar Nicholas, Empress Alexandra and their children in that Ekaterinberg basement in July 1918. That it took more than 25 minutes and was horribly slow and painful death. We know of the desecration of the bodies, burned, acid and more and there separate burials in pits. Finally in 1991, the bodies, after DNA samples from British royal family members verified the remains, were given a proper burial. Except for too of the children. The remains of Alexei and Olga have not been buried with the rest of the family. Another mystery for Elliot Carter to solve?

That would be an understatement. The marriage is dissolving before young David and Beth Ann's eyes, and no doubt leaving them wondering (as most children of broken marriages do) are they somehow at fault. The honest answer is "seldom", but they will carry this 'baggage' for years. His mother's uncaring attitude towards her husband and her children may leave readers to wonder who the children's parent is, or is her 'state' due to others reasons? And young David losing his 'Indian scout / guide' Uncle Joe, even if only temporarily, has consequences.

@chris191070 said: "Avery is growing up fast, getting an education and learning about the different a auras." That had raised a few thoughts: if Avery has been seeing these auras since childhood, what does he see when he looks on a mirror? More importantly, at some point his parents became aware of his 'ability', so why did he not help them? Or is it a case of not being able to interfere to stop the inevitable?

And no Batcave? (Stansfield as Avery's Alfred?). Just messing 😉

Judging from the comments, would it be a safe bet to say there's more than a little morbid curiosity?

@Lee Wilson, and so it begins. The Black Aura like the phoenix rises. A story begins anew. Let's see where you lead us...

Authors often find their works stall for a variety of reasons: A muse abandons them; inspiration that disappears; etc. As a result their works languish whole waiting, or fade away into the mists of time. Mark Twain, Sir Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway and lately Stephen King (among others), have all said "everything old is new again" (or some version of it). In effect, The Black Aura, is simply proving that too be true. In your case, the fire that fueled your story / novel initially, simply settled down to just a few embers lying under the ash, waiting for some oxygen to reignite. Now it appears to have done so. Fan that flame 🔥 and let's see what heats up.

Hopefully Devin had nothing worse than a light concussion, and no brain bleeds or memory loss. It is terrible that Devin's initial response to the sudden popping sound was: "It sounded like a rifle being fired, so I crouched down and began looking around for the source..." I also wonder what might happen if he woke with some memory loss and transitioned into Bear. How does Mac explain that. Hopefully Mac will be allowed to stay in Devin's room or ICU, just in case.

Just like reminding yourself to eat before going grocery shopping, otherwise your hunger impulse makes you buy more. With okra, there is a fine line in cooking it separately or adding to soup, gumbo etc. too early. The longer it sits in moist food, the slimier it gets. (Its mucilage / slime factor increases very quickly if over cooked). Put whole pieces (not cut into 'rounds' like carrots) in a shallow pan and cover with unsalted water. Bring to a slow boil, about 8 minutes. Immediately remove remove okra and put into water bowl with ice cubes to cool okra quickly. Remove from water and pat dry with paper towel. While minestrone soup (homemade or good quality like Progresso) is heating (not boiling), quickly pan fry okra in butter about 2 minutes and still crisp (not limp). After putting soup in bowls, put okra on top. Hmm. Enjoy!

@CLJobe brings us another interesting chapter in the Merino family story. Marie is obviously heartbroken 💔 over the death of her husband Lars during WW-I, and rather than live alone with their son Albin, she moves back into the family home. Unknown to her, she is placing little Albin at risk, from someone and something she can not imagine. Knowing most of the family members (by name and relationship to reach other; grandparents, parents, siblings and cousins - 13 at last count), will some reappear in this story or do their lives carry on in a subsequent 'Book'? The successful growth of Merino Construction under Gene? Merging with Larsson Int'l? Hmm, food for thought?

The story of one Italian family leaving home and a looming war in Europe for a better future in America? Monty Pythons famous 'tag-line' of: "And now for something completely different" comes to mind. Prolific author @CLJobe returns with another story for our interest and enjoyment.

Fatal in more ways than one. It could be literally fatal if the 'red mist' in front of both Corey and Nathan could blind them from seeing oncoming vehicles that they might step or drive in front of, resulting in injury or death. Or in their anger they could strike out at each other. Or heaven forbid, take another way out. Those possibilities made me choose the 'angry' emoji for this chapter, but just as quickly it turned to sadness (reminded by real situations like this). Another emoji that GA has refused to offer readers is one like this: Because sometimes you're just P O'd