Anton_Cloche

First of all Cal, glad to see you continuing your recovery at home. Thank you @CLJobe for another busy, event filled and informative chapter with much going on. Do you think Carl was happy? The next day he had his name painted on the door to the studio, “Carl’s Studio” 👏🏼 Carl's "off to the races" with family, 🐦(GG) and fans cheering him on and providing lots of encouragement. David is adopted on December 20th and it is a wonderful Christmas🎄 present for all, as is Armand's portrait (with images courtesy of GG) of David with his birth parents. The annual trip for The Home children to see Santa at department store happens with a new addition as Ivan and wife Elsie bring 'baby' Ivan. Anne-Marie is back from France, as Richie writes his 'Bar' exam. While they wait for his 'Pass' results to arrive, plans are made and a February wedding takes place (you couldn't have it on the 14th Valentine's Day?) and they are now Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rowe-Roberts. They fly to France with Marie and Grandmère (correct spelling) for their honeymoon. (But Roberto stays behind, and Ronnie watches him like a hawk!). Looking forward to more. Take care my friend and have a good Memorial Day weekend.

And in doing so allowing his death, "out of sight, out of mind." The "If I don't look, if I don't see something, it never really happens" mindset has to change if "we" (collectively) have any chance to survive. Unfortunately... 🙈 🙉 🙊 Thank goodness for "people" like Ronnie, Armand, Colin (and others). 🫂

Another wonderful chapter Cal. Charles and Peter are tasked, once again, to build a 2nd replica of Richie's original family home (the 1st replica is the home Armand, Colin and family live in. Armand was concerned that Richie would have sad memories of his parents and older brother he lost in the highway accident, especially his father's study). This version will be for Richie and his bride to be (?) Anne Marie, who Armand spent back to France so that Richie would be able to concentrate on getting his law degree and passing the bar exam. I don't recall him proposing. Is this marriage a 'fait accompli'? Finally we see dramatic changes in young David, literally on death's door when Ronnie rescued him at the airport. The family nursed him back to health in only a month, and today he received a new set of teeth since his own were lost due to malnutrition and abuse. David also accepted Armand and Colin's offer to become their adopted son. Miracles do happen. 🫂

In my experiences, (over a few decades), a great many Principals were completely lacking in principles, as they far too often "toe the party line" in order to get ahead. In dealing with schools and students in the last ten years not much has changed. School and school Board politics often fail to consider the best interests of students and marginalized students like Tyler and Jacob suffer as a result. - - - Jeff, for a great many authors, writing is cathartic. I suspect between what your characters say, what you say in response to comments, and reading between the lines, that may be the case. At least I hope it is. Please keep sharing.

Hard chapter to read and I suspect it was hard to write, Jeff. Don't ignore Gus. He has big wrenches that can hurt if accidentally dropped. Eager to see where you lead us in Ben's new life, with Josh (and Gus) hopefully continuing to play a part in, (along with Tammy and Sam?). * Ps, other than some typos and grammar 'oops', pretty well written. If you decide to use an App to help with writing, I would caution against Grammarly as it has more than a few language issues. Somethings AI can't seem to deal with, but 'Beta' readers can help.

Jeff, I concur with other reader's comments. You most certainly should post more. Your style, being autobiographical is refreshing, and one that is relatable. MP MP In your closing you said: "It's been a long time since I've ever posted anything online so I figured I would start with a short story that did actually happen", along with "And yes, I'm typically hard on myself." Jeff you can stop being hard on yourself or being overly critical of your writing. That's what editors are for 😉, although as an editor, my own style is to guide writers, offer suggestions and yes to correct if necessary but never harshly. So please bring us more stories "from the road".

"One little girl cried, when I asked her why, she said the little fishies lost their daddy". I'm guessing this little girl, orphaned by loosing her mommy and daddy (or possibly her Daddy was a single father), related that loss the only way she could. There are so many ways in which children arrive at The Home. Armand's nightmare had me "screaming 'NO'". What a horrible glimpse in to an alternate future. And without GG or anyone else (from above) to guide him, horrors fell upon everyone, most especially the children. Hopefully the dream @CLJobe had Armand endure is like Scrooge's in a Christmas Carol. But Armand is the exact opposite of Ebenezer. Was it the fish getting even? But, when the family was in the village in Italy, Pepe's mother Maria dying caused Armand to say "death comes in three's and hers was the second" (after Carmela). Let's hope he miscounted (John, Colin's dad was first), and nothing more will come to pass. My advice to @CLJobe is that if (we) Armand comes to a "fork in the road", just pick up the spoon and scoop up the good stuff.

An unspeaking Toby first comes to Armand's attention in Chapter 136 when he climbs up and sits in Armand's lap when he visits the orphanage. Obviously a young, small new boy at the orphanage, but no age mentioned. Toby appears again during Thanksgiving Dinner at The Home / Uncle's House in Chapter 139, when still unspeaking, he sits on Armand's lap and they share both dinner plates. In Chapter 141 Home (orphanage) manager Pat gives Armand the files / bios of 6 young children needing to be adopted, 2 girls under 6 years old and 4 young boys including Toby. No mention of his age. Chapter 142 and Armand visits the home just before Christmas and takes the children, including Toby to a department store to buy gifts and visit Santa. Armand watches as Toby appears to whisper in Santa's ear and a tear falls on Toby's cheek. Santa whispers back and Toby smiles, but no one else hears what is said. Chapter 144 sees Armand, Colin and family at court to adopt 2 little girls and 4 young boys; “Toby is the boy who sits with me. He doesn’t talk and I want to know why. Louis the shy boy who wants to sit on my lap but is afraid. He was placed in the Home by child services for protection from his father. Anthony lost his parents to a disease his dad brought home from his tour in The Service. John lived with his father who has been charged with a serious crime.” But still no mention of how old Toby is. Still looking @CLJobe Hope your recovery is going well Cal and you get 'home' for Memorial Day.

Error in posting.

It is possible that a straightforward reply ("Toby is 'x') is unlikely, and the response may be something like "that was revealed in a previous chapter." However, Toby now, is older than when Armand first had an unspeaking Toby climb into his lap at the old orphanage and then adopted him. So ... (This isn't the helpful answer you wanted 😄)

Wow, thank you Andre for another wonderful chapter. I'm glad your health is continuing to improve, although throwing allergies into the situation makes it rough. (Speaking from my allergies experience). It is great to catch up on Andrew, Ryan and the children (and Rascal) as well as the Devlin-Major group. The children coming up from their cabins for breakfast on the Belle Catherine "all washed and dressed" surely surprised and saddened Andrew to realize Cam and Elizabeth are growing faster than he'd like, but he's proud of their "responsibility and initiative, having helped Jamie and Fiona get ready for the day". Joan and Dan Kinley certainly know how to make a grand entrance (perhaps inspired by the 1995 Rugby Final flypast over Ellis Park? Or they saw Invictus.) Their offer to add their ownership of a 'fly-in 48,000 hectare Game Lodge (and Preserve?) into the Devlin-Major Portfolio and become partners is interesting. But, we've seen a side of Joan revealed. Your admission that "In my timeline for the story, we are still a year or two from that sad event", makes me wonder. That could be within a few chapters 🤯. Hopefully 5 or 10? Take care Andre and continue to get better. Ps: The meals are still amazing. ⭐worthy.

Thank you Cal for this latest chapter. I too struggled between the limited 'emoticons' available. Little David's physical condition was clearly dire but not beyond salvation and recovery. (We don't know how old David is. If he is 7-ish, and with his body development slowly by malnutrition, his permanent teeth may not have all 'come in' yet, which would help him). The emotional damage and trauma may take years to fix, but his new and loving family will be there to help. Sadly, this is an all too true situation, and I believe, and fear, the pandemic has made people not only colder but with less empathy towards suffering and defenseless children. It seems almost weekly that we see news of children being targeted for harm, especially by parents and family. In the Bible Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me.” He was offering help to children by reaching out to a segment of society that was thought to be insignificant. Two thousand plus years later and not much has changed. Thank goodness for GG giving information, direction and advice about David, "from beyond", and that Ronnie, Armand, Colin and others are tuned to receive and act on her messages. 🫂

How long until Ceej and Ozzie are trying to hide the castanets aka 'clackers' (been there, done that), or at least limit them to outside?

Hasta luego Ceej and Owen. This visit to Cuba has been most inviting and informative. When is the next flight? As always Carlos, your heart is in the details, and you continue to create mental images of places and people we want to visit. (Condé Nast or Passport should hire you as a correspondent - cover pay + travel expenses). (As for hockey, last time Leafs game back from 3 games down, to sweep last 4, was 1942. LONG before you or I were born. And hey, it wasn't that long ago the only 'icing' in FLA was cubes in your glass. So...)

Great to have you back Cal. Hopefully recovery goes well to get you out of hospital and 'home' by the end of May. This wonderful chapter proves the saying that "children grow up so fast". Before they know it, Armand and Colin are finding out, it seems they barely blink an eye and their initial four adopted 10 and 11 year old sons are graduating from college. It doesn't seem that long ago that ten year old orphan Tommy was sitting in Armand's gallery for hours looking at a painting that reminded him of his late mother. Then he was being adopted by Armand and Colin. Next to be adopted were 11 year old Ronnie and Richie. Richie, now 23 (?) Is finishing up 7 years of college and getting ready for the Bar Exam to become a lawyer. This story, like life, is passing quicker than we wanted. But for the Rowe-Roberts family, there is still much to do.

Undersea adventures that would make Cousteau happy. (my cousin was Jacques' assistant and spent time onboard Calypso). Your wonderful description of the two dives created perfect mental images. Perhaps El Presidente will gift the 'trident on a chain' 🔱 to CJ, as well as the found doubloon to Owen? A bonus is that since CJ is no longer a U.S. government employee, he gets to keep such 'gifts' from foreign officials. Also creating mind images was this: "When CJ dropped his shorts prior to their initial dive, the large design stretching along his right hip drew surprised expressions. Owen mentioned the spiral of arrows and sticks had been part of CJ’s twenty-first birthday celebration. CJ raised the side of the swim trunks he wore underneath the shorts so they could see the entire tattoo". And when can 'we' see that? 👀

Hmm. Governments usually looking for 'Make Work' projects that create jobs, save money in the long term, are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Realigning a major road, eliminating 100kms of needless travel (environmentally sound in terms of saving fuel, lowering costs, helping ranchers save money etc.), seems like a win/win situation. And yet government sides with status quo. Who's in bed with whom? I hope Jex's family's $5M 'contribution' to this project is tax deductible. (Yes I know truck on 'wrong' side of road)

As a tidal estuary, there are shore areas in Foggy Bottom that boaters (JP and others), water skiers etc. don't want to step into as the 'muck' sucks your feet down to the point of being stuck tight - under water. Historically, during reclamation of that swampland to build on, human remains were found. If Dr. Jay gets an invite to go boating...

Wow. Jex, Marcus and all the family survived quite the blow down of Cyclone Faith. While significant damage occurred to most Limestone Station buildings and the Vet Clinic at Marble Bar, insurance would cover their losses, and selling up the Station and not rebuilding the clinic will let them concentrate on their other holdings. Thankfully Jex's plane was safe from damage and they were able to fly home to Kununurra and the rest of the family to consider what's next for our intrepid Vets and the boys. Thanks for this chapter Preston

You and @tabaqui seem to have anger issues you want CJ to fix with a fist or kick. LOL Ah yes, gratuitous violence. Like watching (or going to) the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay ⚡🏒 playoff and waiting for fight to break out. 'Dr'. Jay's travel arrangement confirmed .... Wonderful chapter. If Lincoln wasn't already spoken for, perhaps he and Camilo could have a drink, when Camilo visits CJ and Owen in DC.

IMPORTANT UPDATE... Calvin has provided the following information today: @CLJobe is on a brief R&R hiatus, along with Armand, Colin and family, but will return later in May" Tony

Interesting chapter, especially the surprise AFP "minders", "...Eric and Anita come rushing towards us, and it was at that point I saw hidden underneath their jackets, guns in holsters", springing into action. Although regular Australian police officers are issued firearms, according to ADF/AFP/DIO regs, there has to be a "significant threat to protectees" to warrant armed agents. So what's up with DFAT personnel now in the guise as 'teachers'? Mischievous 3 musketeers. I wonder just how much these three can get into.

I prefer the original daiquiri and not the one for 'turista'. (Or version for seniors made with pear juice, which mimics prune juice). Anton had hard time keeping eyes on the road. Prefers American tips. 😄

Those who have been through cyclones (and hurricanes in the northern hemisphere) know that TDT - Time, Distance & Topography - affect the strength & therefore 'Category'. The last 'Alert' issued said: "... updated the alert for the fast-moving cyclone off the Pilbara Coast. The category Five cyclone, named Faith is rapidly approaching..." (like illustrated below heading towards southeast Asia?) Now they are in for a bit of a blow down. But they've secured what they could and know have to 'ride it out' and await the cleanup. 🤞🏼🙏🏼

Of course there is trouble If by that you mean parents (and family) "going to ground" in a Tas bolthole, sitting on virtually 'protected' 52 acres complete with new jobs (but not identities)? I suspect ADF had more than a hand in this 'placement'. Just what did Dad (and Mum) stumble upon in their 'Asian Region' DFAT postings? Is there an AUKUS connection? And Africa? (Well China has been 'busy' there, haven't they. Lending financial support for mega projects, with 'Strings Attached'). As @JohnnyC opined: "... As for the parents going underground, using the 'Cover Story'? ...We will just have to wait for the next few chapters".