Anton_Cloche

Further to my comments on Disp 12, this chapter starts to address a few of those concerns. Thankfully it appears Douglas and Fraser have no issues with same-sex couples (or are mindful and respecting of their employers). "Dad Anton" transfer of Pastoral Lease (for the Station) into Kip's name is surprising, and his suggestion that Douglas and Fraser stay in the 'cottage' is appropriate, so they can watch over it and marine research facilities when they arrive. Looks like Kip and Josh may be settling in for 'a while'. 🤞🏼 Other questions / comments still outstanding. (bit of earbashing? 😉)

Are you suggesting @quokka would throw a 'spanner in the works' just for fun? No, Preston couldn't possibly be that (insert favourite 'negative' adjective here), could he? It's not like there's a history of that or 'cliffies' in this or previous stories (oh wait). We'll just patiently wait for the next chapters in this story, to bring us up to date on: Hamysh's condition; corporate changes at Lloyd; ditto for Xander and Langley (plus Xander's two adopted boys hint, hint ); AND see if the Turner brothers, Douglas and Fraser, have any 'issues' working for a gay couple Kipling & Joshua. Lots for Preston to tackle. The items listed above will need at least 10 more chapters, before the NEXT BOOK launches (pun intended for all the sub, yacht story lines), taking on 'Big Crocs' and dragons of diabolical CPofCN.

Another wondrous chapter Cal, full of adventures and activities for all the children, including the grown up first four. Armand and Colin have gathered 'treasures' for all their 'Homes', which brings both smiles and occasional tears. One minor note, and an example of how Apps and AI-based editorial software lets writers down. (Especially if Apps not originally written in English). If the author misspells a word, the App should (but doesn't always) ask "did you meant to use this word spelling"? (even if the context is obviously wrong). The AI, now imbedded within your computer, will substitute the wrong word virtually forever. Case in point: “They are looking for their Halloween customs". We know (or presume) the intended word is 'costume', but the App changed it to 'custom' and kept doing so. (just an FYI comment from the Blue Pencil ).

The last few years, whether for Armand and Colin (or those in the "real" world), have had weighty effects on people. It can be a more sedentary life creeping in, or too much work and not enough exercise, or a case of Covid kilos / Pandemic pounds packing on. And while 'bedroom athletics' is a fun activity, doctors say you need 30 minutes of continuous steady cardio activity to lose any weight. And few people can attain let alone maintain that level of sustained workout. (Even with 🔷edibles or seeing Alice. 😜) Otherwise, a great chapter with lots of people catching up. Thank you Cal.

Something slipped through the cracks @Bill W. In Mac's urgency to transition into a 'skinwalker' he forgot a promise he made to his Mom when he disclosed he was gay and Devin was his boyfriend. Mac's Mom was upset that she wouldn't have grandchildren, but Mac said he and Devin had discussed becoming parents, using their sperm with a surrogate. BUT, he and Devin previously agreed they'd likely use Mac's sperm to ensure at least one normal child. So before a visit to the shaman, he and Dev have to visit a new 'bank' and make some 'deposits' for future growth. Not the Popsicles of your youth.

As Kip likely knows, this is commonly found in any station toolkit. Not only controls overpopulation, but 'calms' out of control mammals running amuck and destroying property and lives. Also commonly used without anesthesia. Ouch?

As an editor, the correct version of your first sentence is missing one all important word; after 'will' and before 'confirm', insert "neither". As for the rest? 🐧 Story so far has a 'hook' in, but not 'set' or reeled in ... yet.

Sounds like Kip is suffering some sort of mental breakdown from all the stress he and Josh have been under and threats against their lives. Maybe some time back on the station will allow him to rest and reset. It's also great that Xander is looking after Sandra and her four children until the insurance company covers the loss of her yacht. Much more still to come, especially with the Chinese threats.

Mac hasn't figured out, and Devin hasn't revealed his dream of not only working for NASA, but living long enough to actually go into space and others planets. When this realization occurs, there will be some interesting conversations. Not just for Devin and Mac, but also Devin's multi-generational Grand and Great-Grandfather. On the personal side, you mentioned: "Devin has a complex about his size, since his dad and grandfathers think it's best that he not be too tall and muscular in his usual form, so he doesn't draw much attention to himself. Seeing he can't do this in his everyday life, he takes full advantage of the opportunity to make up for it in situations like this, and he only does it for good reasons." Lucky for Mac he has 'Amazing Adjust-O-Matic' Devin for a boyfriend, as revealed after their initial lovemaking when Mac mentioned soreness to Devin after being the 'catcher', and Devin replied: "I probably should have adjusted the size of my penis and made it so it wasn’t quite as thick before I did it to you,...". These guys are going to be very interesting to follow. 👉🏼 👉🏼😜😜 (nudge nudge, wink wink).

"Albert staring greeted me as he opened his mouth to take a bite of a banana". Ooh, not playing with images in reader's minds much? Stop playing with food.

Why do I think that Damien's eyes closely match yours? Hypnotizingly Blue-Grey eyes that seem to say "Look deeply into my eyes, relax and listen to my deep mellifluous voice, and at the snap of my fingers..." 😳

Story continues to get interesting between Damien and Albert. IMHO Anglicized Tagalog dialogue characters is more than a little patronizing according to Pinoy associates (albeit somewhat accurate). Accuracy matters: "I’m a deadringer for a young Harrison Ford but with better hair. I’ve watched all three movies of The Godfather". Is the 'Bad Doctor' inferring Harrison acted in GF? According to imdb.com "Harrison Ford" did not act in any of 'The Godfather" movies, let alone three". Hmm.

Yet another wonderful chapter in this ever expanding family with compassion, empathy and love for orphaned children longing for a 'forever family'. Or has been the case in Armand and Colin's lives, giving a 2nd home to their children. Starting this celebration in the rooftop garden of their first home was stellar! I think James' Welcome to the Family' dinner of "Paulet Farci along with a rose of sweet potato" had a typo and meant to say Poulet farci which is usually boneless chicken breast or thigh, filled with stuffing of bread, cheese or other surprises, pan seared or baked. However, the conversation between Peter and Armand makes me think it was 'deboned' baby chickens or le poussin, but there is no way 'baby chicken' would be said to children! (Horror of eating 🐤) Peter was sitting next to me. “Dad, what is this?” “It’s tiny chicken stuffed with Uncle James' special bread stuffing. It’s good right?” I gain weight with these wonderful creations from The Club's chefs. Ps: 'Pop' Colin needs to get back into shape. Either faster rounds of golf with the boys (and NO golf cart) or Ronnie gets him jogging every other morning before work. If they jog by Angel's Home they may be joined by children.

Hi Cal, just replied in DM... 📩

Not Kimchi! It's an URN and Daniel is either Albert Matherson's husband / lover (possibly a son?) who wanted to go on a trip to Philippines (two years ago when Albert paid a lower rate for the excursion), only to get sick and die. Albert himself is seriously ill (fever, delirium etc) and needs immediate medical attention, and NOT be stuck in an unsafe Pinoy shack with zero amenities. As for our Billionaire with issues, (who secretly runs this place?) He should be carrying a SatPhone for emergencies, & 'at kailangang maging matalino at maging responsable'.

I do what I can Calvin. Dr's appts kept me off phone today. Hope to catch up 'LIVE' in a few days (fingers crossed on my part). T

Interesting chapter, especially with the 'Mayday" and rescue of the mother and her four children (all under 13 years old), along with their injured skipper. With no husband, you wonder what their back story is; sailing across the ocean in a 20m sailing yacht headed for Australia only to have the yacht sink. Then there's the fear they faced getting into a tiny tender / lifeboat hoping to be found and rescued. Josh and Kip continue to have lots of projects to keep them busy.

Oops, my bad. Duplicate, again. Blaming smoke from forest fires.

@Tonyr asked "tell me who is Henry, and what is ‘he’ doing there? " 'Henry' was the judge (not homophobe Judge Avery) that approved Armand & Colin's first adoption ... of Tommy, as well as all their subsequent adoptions and 'Guardianship' of 'brother' James. For context, here is a bit of the back story. We first meet Tommy in Chapter 52 when Armand notices a small boy, sitting in his art gallery, looking at a painting (done by a student) of a couple. Over the next few chapters, Armand learns that 'Thomas' lives in the city orphanage (run by Patricia 'Pat' Anderson). In Chapter 62 Armand finds Tommy crying when he discovers 'his' painting has been sold. He tells Armand it reminded him of his dead parents, and the only other thing he has to remind him of them is a faded, wrinkled photo. Armand, with information from the orphanage, goes to the funeral home that buried Tommy's parents. He learns of the car accident that took their lives, and receives a photo of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Chase, and uses the photo to create a new painting for Tommy. In Chapter 65, Armand and Colin adopted Tommy and judge, Henry, declares: "I ... approve the adoption of Thomas John Beaumont by Armand Rowe and Colin Roberts. Thomas has requested his new name be Thomas John Beaumont Rowe Roberts". (I noted name mix up with Tommy's original family name Chase being dropped or changed, to @CLJobe at the time for future reference / clarification. To be honest, if I had written just 10% of the 44 stories Calvin has, I would occasionally mix up a few names from time to time). Thanks Calvin for letting us know: "Unless I hit a homer, we are not in the seventh inning yet. Close, maybe the top of the 6th". Let's hope teams are so evenly matched they have to use whole player rotation and go into extra innings. (Time for hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks).

Between Peter and Andy, I've almost run out of facial tissue and toilet tissue. Do you own shares in Kleenex @CLJobe? (FYI Kleenex brand tissues are sold in 196 countries - every country in the world). Learning more about Andy's history, will explain his fears. And when Andy learns that Armand and Colin agreed long ago to never turn anyone out (without real good cause) of Angel's Home even if they 'age out', his heart will open wide. (Darn, where's the Kleenex 😢) Thanks Calvin 🫂

So is 50 the new 40? Certainly not 30. Maybe split the difference? I'm not so sure anymore. When 'well known' people (actors, musicians and others) in their 70's and 80's are having babies? Those "pick me up" pills have side effects that is more like going over 'Niagara' Falls than going to see Alice. 😲

Oops. Laptop reboot doubled posting. Ignore one.

A rambler? For some reason I see you more of a Studebaker. (FYI, I have NO first hand experience with either car as they were before my time, however an uncle had a final 1966 model Studebaker Daytona from its last factory in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). Peter will be adopted for sure.

For some reason, this reminded me of the Waltons show ending: "Richie and Anne Marie said goodnight. They were going to walk home. When Ronnie and Julie saw them leaving, they said goodnight and left also. We could hear Ronnie yelling for Richie to wait up for them. I liked the idea they were close to us". A simpler time perhaps? Thanks Calvin. 🐦

Another terrific 'family' vacation in Europe @CLJobe. Many chapters ago, Armand and Colin were debating buying a plane (ostensibly for going to Ronnie's football games when he went to Michigan. In hindsight, buying one and leasing it out when not in use could have been a wise move, unless Armand and Colin are racking up the bonus travel mile points. 🫂