Anton_Cloche

Wow! So now we know what else has been terrorizing George. Thankfully this part is over and between his Mum (don't EVER cross an English mum. They can be as protective as a lioness and as dangerous), Uncle Robb and George they could easily put that arsehole step-father into a German bomb crater and cover it with debris. George called out to Karl while being raped. Will he call out to Karl again, before and after the war, and will Karl respond in kind? War IS Hell. And someone EVIL needs to be Put in there. 🙏 for 🇺🇦

Shades of Arsenic and Old Lace mixed up with Bates Motel. Shame if true that Oliver denied chance to make thing right with Ian and Ruth.

MANY, MANY, years from now! BTW, Apparently 'break even' point for AARP is 96 yrs, which means you'll outlive current guv. Another nice Liebe story, although the "Tag" as Dad had me thinking... Happy Earth 🌎 Day to all children. (Let's just hope we can make some headway on not leaving a greater mess for them to inherit). 🇺🇦

UPDATE & FYI - @CLJobehasn't gotten his Apple MacBook4 (circa 2006) fixed yet. Seems that 'Repair Techs' at a company that offers you the best buy are just telling him to buy a new MORE EXPENSIVE laptop rather than actually fix one. So I'm cutting Calvin some slack, as he's tying to contact Apple, but what with Covid layoffs and this being a 4-day Easter Wknd 🐰 it's a little difficult. As he said to me, the chapters are written, it's getting them posted that's the problem. I'm not sure this is possible, but perhaps @Myr may be able to let him edit 'online' or take down and repost. OR, we, the GA reading community just accept there are 'ghosts in the machine' and it will eventually get sorted. 👻 Take Care everyone

I chose 'finger's crossed' in the hope that George will find a way to control his anger, if not for his sake, then for little Rosemary who has lost her whole family which was her world. Rosemary trusted George to save her and perhaps she can save him. Can love break through his walls, fears, anger and frustration? Can George become a 'father' for this lost innocent girl? I hope so. Now let's see how things are with Karl.

If Colin has his way, not only will a fountain be part of the collage mural, but a small 3-tiered fountain ⛲ (or 1/2 fountain) will be next to the stone archway before guests leave, with them encouraged to toss coins 🪙 into the water (guarantee their return to the club) and a sign saying all donations will benefit local charities. Thanks Cal for another feel good chapter. 🇺🇦

Fingers crossed for your computer @CLJobe I think I've still got a bunch of lira coins from 20-ish years ago, but better throw in an extra handful of Euro coins just to be safe when wishing in a fountain built by a guy who's name sounds like a sandwich bread. Okay, okay the constructor was Pannini (not Panini like the bread) and my guess is Trevi Fountain. Just to add a little more fun... The origin says stand with your back to the fountain and throw 1 coin over your left shoulder to guarantee a return trip to Rome. The '3 Coins in a Fountain' started after a 1954 U.S. romance/comedy movie (made BEFORE my time), about 3 American secretaries looking for love. A cheap TV-movie remake called 'Coins in the Fountain' featured WKRP in Cincinnati 'star' Loni Anderson. But another Italian version of the tradition says that throwing 2 coins gets you married, but a 3rd coin gets a divorce (good money after bad?) The best news of all is that monies collected from the fountain are donated to non-profit Caritas that provides food to the poor and homeless of Rome. In a normal (pre-Covid) year, that averaged over €1 Million Euros ($1.3M+ U.S. approx £ 996,000) a year. (Who just muttered "Show Off"?)

Georgie: Your wonderfully well-written and well-told story of Mihkkel, his boyfriend-lover-husband Eidno, and Mihkkel's beloved grandfather Eaddji (shaman and an oral historian of the Sámi people in Finnmarkú), is heart-touching in so many ways. First we see a friendship of two boys that develops into a loving lifelong relationship. Second the touching relationship with Mihkkel's beloved grandfather or Morfar (Mother's father). And eventually Eaddji passing along the oral history and traditions of The Sámi (including drumming and joki) to Mihkkel and Eidno before his death. With the return of Mihkkel and Eidno to Karasjoki after university, Mihkkel can teach, Eidno can work as a vet and both can be close to Mihkkel's mother. More importantly, they 'take up the torch that has been passed' to them, (and Eaddji's "shamanistic powers"?), when they visit grandfather's grave and Mihkkel says: “Grandpa, we just wanted to tell you, that we have achieved it. And the two of us will maintain the tradition, albeit in a more modern way. You can rest in peace now!” The stories and the histories of the First Nations / indigenous people are needed now perhaps more than ever. Especially when we hear a 'dictator' saying he "intends" to take back (?) lands, including those of the Sápmi in Norway, plus Finland, Sweden and Denmark, to be "воссоединились с Матушкой Россией" ("reunited with Mother Russia"). Does such a person, who has not put in honest work, have a right to harm Sámi and others? Thank you for this story reminding us to pay attention, to the Sámi and all others in need. 🇺🇦

Another interesting yet twisted chapter. Not 'twisted' as in bad, but in terms of trying to find a place where the boys, now men fit in, and still fit together. Having had a relationship not that unlike Finn and Alec, I understand where they are coming from and trying to get to. Unfortunately, try as you might, some things aren't meant to be. As for "channeling E. E. Cummings" are you talking about the very prolific period in his life between 8 and 22 years of age where he (according to one biography) wrote a poem a day, or after his disappointing visit to Revolutionary Russia and return to America where the NYTBR* said: “intellectually speaking, Cummings was a case of arrested development. He was a brilliant 20-year-old, but he remained merely precocious to the end of his life."? I think of Alec and Finn more like Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken and not so much for "Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference." But rather the following lines, (which few people recall): "Oh I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should never come back." So let's see which road you lead Alec and Finn (and the observant readers) down next. Aside from a misguided mother's demise. Alec to his artistic endeavors? Finn and Milo to selling buns and making other 'buns' firmer? Or do things just keep flowing along like a River? Ps, the little girl on Finn's knee is his niece.

Another interesting chapter that continues to dive into young Karl's mind as he tries to make sense of everything happening to and around him. His literacy in English is getting better although he is still a long way from fluency. As a result, his ability to become fully engaged in the war as a pilot is taking longer. Will the delay help him escape being in harms way?

'Priestly' by name but certainly not by nature. Check her shoes to see if they are 'cloven hooves', for she and her ilk (and there are a LOT of them, especially worming their way into FPS / CPS etc) are no doubt in league with SATAN (and PUT IN their own evil doings).

Just a quick note to all you wondering when Armand & Colin will return in new chapters of ARROW. I spoke with @CLJobe today (Friday 8 April ) and he has been having some 'issues' with his Apple laptop. While it has survived a number of moves over the last few years, as we all know, sometimes computers can just be a problem. CL's trying to find a GEEK who is familiar with 2005-era MacBookPro AND can do 'in-home' visit to make repairs 'on-site'. CL says he has new chapters ready to post, once laptop cooperates. Tony B ( aka Anton)

Just a quick note to all you wondering when Armand & Colin will return in new chapters of ARROW. I spoke with @CLJobe today (Friday 8 April ) and he has been having some 'issues' with his Apple laptop. While it has survived a number of moves over the last few years, as we all know, sometimes computers can just be a problem. CL's trying to find a GEEK who is familiar with 2005-era MacBookPro AND can do 'in-home' visit to make repairs 'on-site'. CL says he has new chapters ready to post, once laptop cooperates. Tony B ( aka Anton)

As Karl seems to learn more about himself, he keeps coming up with more questions to answer and problems to solve. He really needs to focus solely on learning to fly, and more importantly SURVIVE combat flying. If he is in any way distracted while flying, he dies! Pure and simply. Don't want Karl to die!!

Aside from tongue twister about "tater tot... Short stack etc. could (should) have been: Peter Pure picked on a pack of presumed privileged peckers?. Say that mouthful three times fast. Another important thing readers missed or failed to pick up on was the post-concert chat between Chipper and CJ and what it alludes to: "Chipper, how does it feel to be on stage for nearly three hours instead of the thirty or so minutes you did as a warm-up for somebody else?” ... “It’s exhausting. As soon as the rush dissipates, I crash.” “Adrenaline?” CJ was not entirely sure what his friend meant. Will CJ have to intervene again if Chipper goes off the rails, from stress and temptations on a concert tour? Enjoying this way too much, which is not to say you have to write anything dark to, for or about your dynamic duo (forget 🦇 pole references), Liebe or anyone else. Till next Friday, Stay safe, healthy and keep the shiny side up.

Thank you for a well written chapter. This chapter was very hard to get through as it brought back sad memories, but you wrote with great empathy. Belle has great friends in Dale and Hunter whose own very young children Ethan and Mia are trying to be supportive of Belle's son Ian and daughter Ruth. In the end, Belle 'slips away' peacefully in her sleep, knowing that Ian and Ruth will be safe in Hunter and Dale's family. 🫂 ❣️🔔 ("Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings")

If the club is going to feature Italian and Spanish foods, a new name could be Sala Niccolò (Niccolò is a short version of Nicolas, meaning 'victor of the people '. Colin is anglo/gaelic version of Nicolas). Sala Niccolò essentially means 'Colin's Hall'. Having a stone arch over the entry into 'the club' is a great idea, and the painted arch on the inside as you leave. I think tripe soup could be a 'First Day' special just for those terrible girls who used to eat off Armand's plate. Telling them what was in the soup AFTER they ate might guarantee they don't come back. 🥣

Colin sounds like he missed his true callings, and that's not a typo. Colin could have one of many careers: a public engineer from his interest shown in the structure of buildings; a contractor to build buildings; or yes as an architect designing buildings. It is becomes obvious that Colin has an eye for detail, in much the same way Armand does. Both of these young men, as revealed to us by @CLJobe wonderful writing / storytelling, are showing how well suited they are to each other. How well they complement each other , and how they could build a life together.

Andre Delport's Book II of Never walk alone, sub-titled Walk on picks up 5 years after the Devlin-Major clan of five: Andrew, Ryan, Cameron, Elizabeth and Rascal return to South Africa from a trip to Canada (Rocky Mountaineer Train trip) and U.S.A. (DIsney World). The guys continue their successful hotel/resorts and yacht charter businesses. But just like real life, challenges appear both in their professional and personal lives. This second book, in what we hope will be a long-running saga, showcases Andre's ability to draw us in with his writing style that includes travelogues as an integral part of the story.

For the last 12 hours I've been trying to put into words my reactions to this unexpected chapter, which was very hard, despite being an editor, journalist, as well as a reader. Being trapped below deck even with an air pocket in the cold waters of Fort William, (I know Ft. Wm and those ferries all too well), it's horrible that Beth and Nicky succumbed after going to the aid of others. Huddled together in cold and dark water, but with air and hoping and praying to be saved. But they would have lost consciousness together, in each others loving arms 🫂 thinking about all four of their children. Thank God they didn't drown. Andre I hope your epilogue to Book II, has Beth and Nikki's funeral remembrance service, with both of them posthumously receiving the UK's highest civilian award for Bravery & Heroism - The George Cross, from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Closing 'this chapter' of the family's lives with Andrew, Ryan, Cameron and Elizabeth returning to South Africa with their two-year younger twin brother and sister Jamie Jnr and Fiona joining them, opens the door for Book Ill - Never walk alone - Walk in the Highlands, which perhaps picks up (continuing your process) 5 years on, with all four children now in or approaching their early teens, spending part of the Scottish summer (SA Winter) at Achnacarry Castle. While there, they learn about the great Cameron heritage, and perhaps a surprise that a Beth's eldest son Cameron is in line to become the hereditary 28th Cameron of Lochiel. Andre, now that Covid has subsided enough to allow you to resume working at the office (what's that?), properly attired in trousers and oxfords (no tracksuit bottoms and tekkies), you will have less 'free' time to write NWA Book III. Trust me when I say, you have absolutely no need to apologize at all for less regular postings. In fact you'll likely need a few months to get at least 4 or five chapters ahead before you start to publish Book III. Just as long as you promise to try not to continue your trend downward from 28 chapters in Book I to 13 chapters in Book II. Perhaps split the difference at 20? While I can't speak for others, this reader will not abandon you or the Devlin-Major family and will bear with you! Take Care, Stay Well. Or as The Cameron of Lochiel would say (with a wee dram) - "ri do shlàinte", Afrikaners "op jou gesondheid" or simply 'To your health'. Anton.

For Alec..."It was exhausting. Every day was an uphill battle that he didn't have any resources left to fight. The people that were supposed to care for him, protect him, and support him as he became an adult were too focused on their own prejudice. He was tired. He didn't want every interaction to be an argument or a fight. There was a time when they had a different kind of relationship. He wished he could get that back, but not at the expense of his self-worth and happiness". Finn's just had Alec rip everything away from him. Or so it seems. He feels that he has to abandon his sports future and 'full-ride' scholarships to help take care of his wounded in the war older brother. No one seems to be aware that VA benefits and services are transferable to other states across the nation. Could Finn find equal football scholarships on the west coast close to or at the same university as Alec and River. Could his parents open a business there and still be close enough to support their sons? (Yes I know that's asking a lot) Finn's parents (while being 'shop' owners it was clear they aren't well off), talked about helping Alec, but no one considered other options (even for the Iowa) including guardianship, Alec suing his parents to be emancipated and financially compensated, or other options. Trouble on the way.

I'm saddened that Milo has to enlist and be at risk fighting in a war (?). I'm saddened that Finn is hugely afraid that no one will be watching over and protecting Milo. (and afraid this is foreshadowing). I'm afraid for how Alec is continuing to be bullied by his parents, and that they will be going ballistic with this overnight escape, but suspect Finn's parents will offer Alec the safe haven he needs. Hopefully Alec will choose to go to university or college with or very close to Finn.

HUGE Introvert (Alec) meet forceful EXTROvert (Finn), and meet your future. Will Finn's family throw out this precious young man? And if so it will be their loss.

I'm reading this with a giant sense of deja vu, all over again. Why? (If you know what i'm alluding to, DM?)

Can this hurt, orphaned little (5 year old) girl Rosemary, possibly daughter of Dr. Spenser and his wife Rosemary killed in bomb attack, be George's saviour? Will George ask Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins to take little Rosemary in (until after the war) when George can seek to be her guardian? Will looking out for Rosemary be enough to give George the strength, courage and purpose he needs to put aside all thoughts of suicide, get a medical degree, survive the war and hopefully to reunite with Karl? 🫂 & 🙏 for 🇺🇦