Anton_Cloche

@Mancunian you wrote: "Hey there! I just wanted to let you know that this latest chapter might be a bit shorter than usual. I hope you don't mind too much - it just felt like the right time to wrap things up". While this chapter is "a bit shorter", it contains your usual well-written latest update on events in Michael and Charlie's lives which continue to get better and better. The surprise party to celebrate both their birthdays comes at the perfect moment for them, just as they were feeling a bit low. One could say that their lives are entering a new year on a happy note. Full of promise, opportunity's and and good health, surrounded by friends and a new extended family. And on that note, as 'our' year (2023) draws to a close, I wish a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year to all. 🍾 🎆 🎉 Santé, Cheers.

Children as young as 6 months with congenital limb issues (damaged, missing etc.) can receive a 'passive' prosthesis that allows them to get used to the device. Over 18 months of age, children can be fitted with a 'lifelike' myoelectric prosthesis. For a child like Dennis, suffering a catastrophic limb loss, activity-specific prostheses can help them engage with their peers on the playground, in sports or out on the bike trail. There are devices available that will allow Dennis to participate in all these activities. When children begin using a prosthesis at an early age, it greatly reduces the possibility of having overuse issues with their other hand, arm and shoulder. While the cost of myoelectric prosthesis can range from $10 - $40,000, most costs are covered by insurance (or the courts in case of foster children, especially victims of crime). As children grow, there are trade-in programs that donate 'limbs' to other children in need. Adam, for a 5-year old with the trauma he went through, he is showing a tremendous amount of empathy. Wanting to accept Dennis as a new 'brother' may help Adam deal with same of the loss of this siblings and mother. Derek and Jeremy have a lot ahead of them.

Thanks @CLJobe for the 🎄day 🎁 chapter. Wow, talk about the road trip from 'he 2 hockey sticks', (waiting for some to figure that reference out ). I remember trips like that in the 70's, with Dad trying to avoid rest stops and make time, while Mom wanted to stop at every one that had a restaurant or gift shop in addition to gas and restrooms (WC or loo for those across the pond). This story is getting more interesting. 🫂

I say neigh

Tomato's 🍅 are a 'fruit', not a vegetable, while the 'herbs' and 'spices' are not classified as vegetables. 🍕 Nice chapter before (our) Christmas, with 'dad' getting the present he deserves. (Sorry 🎅. Don't put me on naughty list for that comment.) Best Wishes @Lee Wilson for a Merry Christmas, (Festivus or other holiday) and a safe, healthy and Happy New Year. Cheers

Just a bit of FYI for anyone following Charlie's interest in Harry's 1964 Mini Cooper S MK1. A fully restored version can easily fetch £30 - £40,000 or more at auction. One of the highest paid prices in recent years (2018) was $236,500 (£140,052).

Thank you @Mancunian for another well-written, wonderful chapter. Things continue to get better for Michael and Charlie, they just have to accept people giving them a helping hand, and pay it forward, as they are with Harry. Glad to see Liam progressing little buy little. As for Max loosing his temper (only a bit) with the officious prig at the gate, it could have been worse. Thankfully it all got sorted out. Best Wishes to you (and yours) for a Happy Christmas 🎄 and a Healthy, Prosperous and Happy New Year. Stay safe.

Loved this: "her forelock refused to be tamed. He threw in the towel, left the fuzzy hair alone, and named her Gnomie". Thank you @kbois (and 'Krew') for this chapter with Caleb finally settling. After all he's been through, especially with Vann, it's nice to see Caleb, Asa and their three boys finally a happy family. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (1 for each) 🎄 Ps: @kbois, does your mobile PITA footstool come when you sit down so you can put your feet up?

And we are off on another journey of discovery by accomplished author @CLJobe whose previous stories, including his most recent 'ARROW', brings us believable characters in believable situations. His 'historic' stories (those going back in time, like 'Rome') show attention to details that make readers feel as though they are watching things occur in real time. What adventures will David C. McLavic have, and how will his Native American 'Uncle' Joe guide him along the way?

Aw come on. Ms. Fissure just Can't Understand Normal Thinking. Or to paraphrase the late Texas Governor Ann Richards from her keynote address at the1988 DNC convention: 'She can't help herself. She was born with a silver boot up her hiney".

Great catching up with Simba, his family and close mates, back 'home' again in Tanzania. Quite a journey to get there, and a surprise of another house (adding to their family holdings). New home almost seems to be leading to another chapter of discovery before they all head back to Oz? (or just wishful thinking on my part?). Thanks again Preston. Cheers mate.

Hmm, trying to figure out the approximate era this story begins in, it seems to be mid to late 1800's. Young David, (guided by his 'uncle' Joe), seems to have found that "there's gold in them thar hills". Let's see if this pans out.

In a few of @CLJobe stories, grandparents are estranged (by choice or by chance), or just not in the picture. Unlike parents who often die tragically, leaving orphaned children behind. Let us see what happened to the "high society" (stuck up, snooty?) 'grands' in this story. Will they live up to 'grand' definition?

@quokka; As sure as the Southern Cross is the celestial navigation guide for mariners and travelers to find their way home to Oz, (as the long line of the cross points South), may it be the beacon for my Best Wishes to reach you for a Merry Christmas🎄and a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year in 2024. You mentioned being tired, and after 72 stories and almost 3 Million words, 'tired' may be an understatement. Or perhaps you are just taking a breather before diving back in to a sea of words waiting for you to harvest them. Take good care mate. 🫂

Damn allergies keep me reaching for tissues. Seriously @quokka this section had me choked up just the same way as when Zander and Kyle sang the first time at Huon's 6 year memorial in Stanley (where Huon first sees his 10-year old son Alexander) : "... the cathedral filled with the beautiful voice of my best mate, Kyle, but wait there is a second voice, a much younger one. Could it possibly be?... The singing was heavenly, and I could feel myself floating upwards, and I could now see Kyle and my son Alexander, standing in the loft, singing beautifully together. I continued to float upwards, and the cathedral began to fade, as I realised that I was now heading to a better place, now that I had seen my son and heard him and my best mate sing together".

Preston, one 'OOPS' stands out. In Paragraph 12 you wrote: “To Huon, may he rest in internal peace, and within our memories for our lifetimes,” I'm certain you meant to say "eternal peace". Aside from that, well written chapter at this Christmas time.

You mean go back to my 'Covid Collection' of books? Also read 'War and Peace' (Spoiler Alert, didn't change outcome). While I wait for your next story, maybe a little light reading, like Amdt**.**.* * As you read this, I 'had' to edit out 7 characters to remove 'citation' reference that Carlos via CJ would have gotten through. Gosh I miss him so much.

Seriously? You are giving readers a 42 chapter reading assignment (no offense @kbois ) before we read your story? Don't want to give a us the 'Cliff's Notes' version instead? Or perhaps put footnotes where applicable for bits of ephemera? Oh wait, footnotes are traditionally and generally found in nonfiction works. Whereas Fiction throws you in deep water, assuming you can swim. (Do we need to explain the "AssUMe" joke?) Given the general state of education in the last 20 years ('grads' who wouldn't know a thesaurus if one fell on their head), I'm recommending more Fiction authors include footnotes as a novel idea. Sheesh, I don't like this 'prof' or TA's! NB: An Italian shotgun wedding? This is SO going bad.

WTH?

Thank you Preston for this visit to the Falklands to celebrate Huon. A sad reminder of a good friend who died too soon (due to a brain aneurism that was the last of ongoing misdiagnosed or undetected medical issues Huon faced in the last few years of his young life). Huon's death, at a time when he was working so hard to help many others, rocked Sebastian, his good mate Kyle, and stole the chance to meet and know his son Alexander (Xander), his son-in-law Langley, and his grandchildren. The Christmas service was memorable, for current and future generations of Devonport's, family, close friends and those who continue to benefit from the works Huon did, and work of Zander.

That is a reminder to readers that great stories take time. The idea has to hatch in the authors mind, be nurtured as it grows, characters developed and grow, then scenarios come along. Author John McPhee said " It takes a long as it takes", and he couldn't be more correct as far as @kbois is concerned. Thank you for this story, and all the others you have 'penned' along the way (and those still percolating in your marvelous brain). 5 days away from a certain holiday, let me wish you and yours (and everyone else) safe and Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas 🎄, Joyeux Noël, Happy Hanukkah (or whatever you celebrate), and a healthy and Happy New Year in 2024.

Children should never have to deal with asshat parents or judgemental ones. Adam's 5th birthday didn't deserve his classmate Andy's father to be a shit show. Some parents want a friendly clown for their children's birthday party. Not this: Thankfully Adam did not see the 'discussion', but Andy's upset. ( His mom better tell him he did nothing bad. Kids always think they did something). SIGH! 😞. First airplane trip for Adam and 'fraidy cat' Uncle Derek. Hope Derek's 6-year old patient Dennis is doing OK at hospital and his parents recover.

Thank you Bill, @Bill W, for the timely reminders (to those of a certain age) and a worthwhile lesson for Gen X, Y and Z to learn even if it isn't delivered via Rap, Hip Hop or on TikTok (and it being owned and propagated by anti-Christian 'CH Ina' Inc). As for Dominick the Donkey, I vaguely remembered a little because of an Italian Aunt, but found an accurate history on https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/609839/dominick-the-donkey (sorry not a 'hot' link. You have to highlight and click on 'open'). As for CEOs, CoB (Chairman of the Board) et al? Even as those billionaire$ give hundreds of millions to charity, (tax write off), when not building mega-yachts, they make more to cover their 'gift'. They should have to, IMHO, "Give til it hurts", like many who can barely afford it still find 'something' to give. Oops, my rental of the 'soap box' just ran out. Bill, wishing you and everyone a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a better, healthy and Happy New Year in 2024. 🫂

I am on the naughty list and I regret nothing! So between the two of you, a JIT (Just in Time) for Christmas, 1 chapter story, about a bad (not quite evil and possibly redeemable) shifter is being written? Working title ... Cinder Claws?

Okay, yet again the top 10 comments don't count, because of 'insider trading' and mere mortals have to read the chapter before posting. However, I do feel this is one of @kbois best chapters yet. And as much as I'd like to say she's outdone herself, 'this' book isn't done yet. (Not to mention those she has yet to 'publish', or fragments of new stories fighting to coalesce in her brain). Am I safe in saying, "The best is yet to come"?