Anton_Cloche

Mate, you're back and that's all that matters Whether once a week, a fortnight, or whenever, just as long as we get a "number" of them before the next Avon Descent (14 - 16 Aug. 2026 ?)

Welcome back Preston @quokka. Hope all is well with you in WA. You have been missed. It feels right to drop in on Coop and Banjo and learn how life is going. 🤞

And along with THAT, Jack may experience the complication of a wolf's 'knot' which ensures 'uncoupling' does not happen easily or quickly. 😮

Are you channeling your inner Ward, or is Lumpy knocking at the door? (Not Eddie because he's too cool 😀.) Yes @Laura S. Fox is off to a good start on this 'sequel' but the interplay between Jack "Field Mouse" and Theo (big bad wolf?) reminded me of two versions of a similar story. The first, 'The Lion and the Mouse' has a mouse who befriends a lion by removing a thorn from the lion's paw. The original story is about a Greek slave boy Androcles who escapes from a horrible master by running into the forest where he encounters a roaring lion. Fearing he's about to be eaten, he discovers the lion is howling in pain from a thorn in his paw. Androcles removes the thorn and is later spared by the lion. As for Cinnamon Toast Crunch Jack (aka Apple Jacks), he feels 'pressure' when Theo is pressing up 'behind' him. 🍑 🤣

In some places where "Remote Learning" (Zoom, FaceTime etc) is still being done, some teachers have returned to the classroom vitually, but mostly for Grades 3 and up, while children get the majority of their early social interaction skills from Kindergarten through the end of Grade 2 or 3. Once Bik's portfolio of "Fat Cats", "Influencers" and others spread good news of his work, he may be able to keep some of 'his' clients virtually as well as generating new ones. Hopefully turning Ohio 'Buckeyes' (inedible and toxic 'Horse Chestnuts' into chests full of 🤑 $). Keep these Uncles safe and sound 🤞.

Great chapter @Connectwriter with more information (during Pete and Marty's dinner with Mike's lawyer colleague Claire), about Pete's father Brad and his 'Pop's' medical condition and seizures. Then the news about bleeding problems that's suddenly occured in Laura after the twins birth, which might be Post Partum Hemorrhage - a rare but treatable condition where the uterus suddenly bleeds where the placenta was attached. Peter's sudden onset of increasing balance and dizziness problems; while not unusual for patients with unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss; if associated with fatigue and physical weakness may suggest 'Acoustic Neuroma' which is a buildup of fluid in the brain, putting pressure on the brain stem. The main "red flags" for acoustic neuroma can include tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Increased or varying loss of balance, dizziness, and facial numbness from pressure on the main facial nerve with tingling on the affected side of the face. Other symptoms can include difficulty hearing in noisy crowds, a 'roaring' sense of hearing that can physically overcome a person. These symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as early diagnosis and treatment lead to the best possible outcome. Fingers crossed for Pete and for Laura. Marty may need to get Pete to an ER or Urgent Care clinic in NYC (with Claire's help) to see an ENT doctor before getting him back home.

#2 is my guess @Krista as a former "peer counsellor" (back when those did some good work. And pre-dates Columbine). In the last 25 years, (forced off my soap box and self-edited), I'll just say peer counselor would be a risk.

Thanks for that @wildone. Although the Connley's are more financially advantaged than Joel's family, Trace's concern over the rising cost of bulls he wants, shows that he and Celia are not spendthrifts. If and when Trace gets 'wheels" for Joel, it will be a reliable vehicle, likely a pickup, that can help out around the farm (and likely registered as a 'farm vehicle' to reduce costs for things like insurance *). * As long as the vehicle is primarily used for business purposes, farmers can generally deduct any expenses associated with the use of a farm vehicle, including: · Supplies like oil and gas · Repairs and maintenance · Insurance, car lease payments and loan interest · Depreciation · Fees like license tags, tolls and parking · Local and state vehicle taxes (If partially used for personal use, IRS 🤬 requires detailed logs for tax purposes.)

But there is still one thing outstanding that both ties Joel to his birth family, (and home), and symbolically cuts all ties. After Joel's near suicide on the bridge, after his truck broke down, his father picked it up and said he would fix it for Joel to get to and from school, baseball etc. When Trace first took Joel back to Joel's home, Joel's father mentioned he had "fixed your truck". And on the last (?) visit, it was still there. Doesn't Joel need it now for school, and to go see his brother Cody? Or is Joel leaving it there for Cody to eventually have? Having your own first vehicle is freedom; to come and go as you wish, but also for when you leave home. 🛻

"Something wicked 🧛‍♂️ this way comes." Dr. V's. 'Inviting' William out for a bite? "I suspect you might also have hunger and the hour is late. I know of a place that might satisfy the both of us.” I was shocked! Something skewered? Shish KeBob ?

Another great chapter @Connectwriter, and your details of Peter's 'photo shoot' makes me wonder if you've ever experienced that 'hands on' mayhem before? I have, and it's no walk in the park, especially with the snide and sexually charged 'comments', the leering, and actual gropping, (that in any other setting might see cops called). Good news at the end with this: "It was a picture of Bik and Laura, but a certain picture with Bik on the left that identified a message as coming from his phone. He clicked on the message: “It’s a girl – and a boy!” 👨‍🍼🤱

Possibly so NOT wrong. Some 1st hand experience to NYC modelling shoots in '90s, tells me Peter was 'exposed' on sets, at bars, clubs and 'private' events he may not even be aware he's blocking from memory. A formerly well known model friend told me "anything model-related including 'major client and fashion house "events", 'special' weekend 'shoots' in FI Pines etc. goes into a mental file box that's locked". Thankfully (surprisingly) he's still alive and well (through sheer dumb luck and ZERO protection), but he's waiting for a few more 'names' to 'pass' before he hits PUBLISH on a "show and tell all" book. As he says, "Thank god for internet, Insta etc. Nude and explicit pics and video from 15 years in 'biz, although passed around could never be published 20 years ago. Now it's just m'eh". 😳 😮 🤐

Hey @Jeff Burton, hope you are better. As for deleting this chapter and "going back to drawing board" 🛑 . Once upon a time, (NOT when walking a pet dinosaur), a 'Literature' professor said, "when taking a test that involves an essay, once finished DO NOT go back and change anything. Go with your gut. 9 times out of 10, your first answer or essay is correct". Virginia 🐺 (Woolf 😉.) said about writing, one gets a "gnawing sense of loneliness..." If you get that "gnawing" sense, you're peckish. Eat something! As an editor, I say to authors: · write it; · read it; · edit but don't re-write it; · have Beta(s) review; · publish. Others have said time is always a writer’s friend. Time gives us a chance to percolate our ideas rather than microwave them. Time allows us to craft rather than mass-produce, and our writing can be better for it. Take solace in what readers like @wintreargo77 say, but; "to thine own self be true.

As soon as Clint turns 18, Mac & Dev 'should' take him out, let him get drunk on his own (but with Mac & Dev protecting him at a gay bar and dance club), then Clint wakes up next to the toilet with a horrible hangover and no memory of what happened. Let Clint worry about what happened over the weekend. Only then can our 'really good' boys reveal that nothing bad happened, but let it serve as a lesson to Clint of what could have happened (or worse). Enough to scare Clint. (NOT going graphic 🤮. )

First @Drew Payne Thank You for this chapter and a story that had taken some time to get to where it is now. When there was a long gap between chapters, I feared that something had happened to you, and that you and your stories were lost to the mists of time. ☹️ Is Ed likely to harm himself, (suicide) thinking / feeling he's being abandoned, now that Liam is being released? Is there any chance of Ed being eligible for parole? And if so, in the UK, are there rules against him and Liam 'Cohabitating'? What are the terms of Liam's probation? Two things to note is the following: 1. While juvenile 'records' are "spent" (ended and sealed) they remain accessible by police for 100 years from date of conviction. 2. "In England and Wales juvenile convictions, including involuntary manslaughter, are spent (ed. ended) after 5.5 years. However, they remain on police computers until a person reaches one hundred years of age; this results in information that is spent being disclosed for a lifetime. There is no pardon system in the UK. Wales." Ergo for Liam, sadly 'freedom' is anything but. 😢 Be well, Stay well and Take care Drew. 🤗 Best regards, Tony (Anton)

Another wonderful chapter, with Peter returning home for the summer with Marty and Angie, all three of them seeking summer jobs to help get them through another year at school. Marty really wants to pull his own weight, and it appears a job, making scale models g or architectural firms may be a good fit (and it can pay well!). Pete's decision to go back to being a male model, including some trips to NYC (where his previous 'problem' happened) has his fathers rightfully worried. 🙏🤞

Sadly not Bill. In fact I've told people who sometimes include 'scratch' lotto tickets in birthday cards to save their $ for coffee as every ticket I touch turns into 'Scratch and Lose'. 🙄 But perhaps I "win" by not letting Tax people get any more of my money ? 😆

Another wonderful chapter Bill and a nice 'build up' to what should be a very Merry Christmas opening presents. Even through it's not all 'family' that's gathered, it would be wonderful if Dev and Mac gave Pa enough money to buy a scratch lotto ticket for each persons 'stocking' (along with the usual candy canes, nuts, chocolate and an orange in the 'toe').

@Bill W, Bill for as long as you've been offering us great, fantastic stories like this, WE (taking Editorial privilege to include all readers) will wait for whatever you have planned for us. However, you do not need to apologize to us (although I do appreciate and applaud your common courtesy in doing so. Indeed, it is very uncommon for people to do that these days, especially when bullying and bluster is spread like manure; so thank you). And while you're "doing the best I can to keep posting on a regular basis", what you do need to do, (getting back on my soap box), is to focus on your wellbeing. Physically, mentally and dare I say it, spiritually. While 'we' want the best @Bill W , what you need is the best you. Do what you need to do to make that happen. Don't be too proud or shy to reach out to others. In the meantime, take care, be well and stay well. Sending you best wishes, thoughts and 🙏. 🤗 And this Navajo / Dine 'asabikeshiinh' (Dream Catcher) to watch over and protect you.

Beware those Acme products.

Surprised that ML's Aunt and Uncle, at first proof of pregnancy, didn't get Plan B and let it be done. Making ML go full term isn't punishing her, it's punishing the unborn child that will be put up for adoption. 🤬👿. And ML would be turning tricks in Ambo on way to hospital if she could. SKUNT

"His aim was true, as his fangs and claws tore through the flimsy fabric of the shadow, making it let out a howl of its own". Ryder has, in deed, ripped through the fabric of time, and ended the witch's here on earth.

Danny, Vince, and Jack have to be more like Ryder (focused with one goal in mind), and not not waffling. (Pun intended). Plus, a plug-in Stainless Steel toaster is too bulky to pack. When Danny does mate with Ryder, they might spend more time in remote settings with only a woodstove or fire, so am antique cast iron one of these can be used for cooking AND defence. 😆

Hmm? Ryder and his mate to be Danny prepare for a trip to Pinemoor (in the NW?) with Pembroke trussed up in Kevlar rope (or ideally like Hannibal Lecter so he can't get free). Given the Big Bad Wolf's wealth, suspect he has a private plane, or access to one, that will allow a quick trip that Cassandra doesn't sense is coming. As for Keystone Kops, perhaps you're confusing them with others 3-Stooges amongst Keystone Kabinet Klub?