Marty

An interesting first chapter. I find myself in agreement with @Mawgrim as far as keeping the Polish names and locations. You have introduced the main characters well, and we now have some understanding of Maks' background, at least. As far as his passenger is concerned, I suppose we shall find out more in later chapters...

Sending positive, healing thoughts your way, bro.

Hmmm... It might just be a case of:

Welcome back, @cehammock!

Basically the same forecast we have in my part of Ireland. Although the temperature might get up to 14°C a couple of the days....

We are still talking about pastries? I've been waiting for someone to pick up on the one (or two?) possible double entendre(s) in clo's comment. (Because I'm just too much of a gentleman to have done so. )

Did I ever mention that my degree was in Botany? (That long ago now, that I have most of it forgotten.)

Just as long as you're okay, buddy. Just as long as you're okay.

A friend of mine was once baking a cake that just didn't seem right every time he checked the oven... It was only when his mother pointed to a bowl with flour in it on the kitchen worktop, that he realised he'd forgotten to add the flour to the mixture...

Some people are like Mick Jagger.... Just never satisfied.

Greetings, Page! You're rather quiet these days... All's good in Pageville, I hope.

They look absolutely scrumptious!

I think it's time to start petitioning @Myr to add a fingers crossed emoticon to the reaction ones...

Quite a sad story, really... https://www.newsweek.com/houston-tiger-passed-around-1591717 Houston investigators said exotic animal traffickers are likely moving a suddenly famous tiger around from person to person to conceal its exact location. A Houston Police Department commander speculated the Bengal tiger, named India, is believed to still be in the city and has been handed off around a dozen times since he was first spotted. The passing around of the endangered cat from locations is said to be a common practice among animal traffickers. Police also believe a local crime circuit is in possession of India. The 9-month-old male tiger hasn't been seen in public since Sunday when a Houston resident noticed the big cat on his front lawn. A witness's cellphone shows a man coming out of a nearby house and grabbing the tiger. When police arrived, a man identified as Victor Hugo Cuevas put the tiger in a white Jeep Cherokee and sped off. Cuevas was eventually apprehended, but he was not found with India. Authorities said Cuevas was out on bond for a murder charge in connection to the fatal shooting of a man in 2017. Cuevas' attorney, Michael Elliott, provided the details of India's name and age but said Cuevas is not the exotic feline's owner. Cuevas was out on bond on Wednesday after being arrested and charged with evading arrest/detention with a vehicle. Elliott said he and his client were trying to help police locate the tiger, but he would not say where Cuevas drove to in the SUV with India. Meanwhile, a hearing is set for Cuevas on Friday, as the state is seeking to revoke his bond for the unrelated murder charge. Local news station KTRK reviewed Cuevas' Instagram account and found videos of him being around a baby bear, monkey, and a young tiger. The Houston Police Department's official Twitter account has been providing updates about the tiger all week. On Friday morning, Commander Ron Borza, who focuses on animal abuse cases for the department, updated the media about the tiger search. He said they are still unaware of India's location, though he believes the cat is still in Houston or a neighboring county. He said officers had contacted people known to be involved in the city's illegal animal trade but have received no meaningful information. The missing tiger has caught the attention of the nation. On May 11, Jimmy Kimmel referenced India in the opening monologue of his show, and Carole Baskin—owner of a big cat sanctuary and star of Netflix's documentary miniseries Tiger King—offered $5,000 to the person in possession of the feline, provided he is released to an accredited sanctuary. In Houston, owning a tiger is in violation of city law, although it is legal (with certain restrictions) under Texas state law. Lara Cottingham, Houston's chief sustainability officer, said in a written statement: "In the event any such animals are found in Houston, Animal Control Officers will impound the animals and transport them to a secure location—either BARC [Houston's animal shelter and adoption facility], another shelter, or regional wildlife facility—to protect the safety of the public as well as the animals' health."

Just back from my usual Friday meet up with my social bubble for takeaway lunch. From 24th of May the restaurants in Northern Ireland will be allowed offer indoor dining again for parties of no more than six people. The restaurant we have been getting our Friday takeaways is just over the border in the North so, as there's only four of us, two weeks today we'll hopefully have a proper restaurant meal again for our Friday meet up.

Greetings, young Albert.

Extract: Flashy Plants Draw Outsize Share of Scientists’ Attention Blue-flowered plants get the most scientific love; those with green or brown flowers, not so much. _____________________ But I thought we'd all been told a while back that there is no such thing as a blue flower...

What dughlas said!

Greetings, young Albert!

Welcome to Gay Authors, @Mercury Eff! I look forward to reading some of your work.

Good night, everyone.

I just logged in before going to bed, Albert, exactly to wish you good luck tomorrow. So know that I was thinking of you even before I read your message.

Specially for Albert...