Clancy59

OK. I’m dumb. What’s that? And BTW, when/if the guys get to Newport, have them take a side trip to Blithewold. They’ll love the topiaries!

Well, I didn’t say it was extensive. It was just an experience to be surrounded by a couple hundred different kinds of butterflies. Sorry about ELPIDIO. I didn’t remember him from earlier. I told you before I watch and read too many conspiracy theory stories! There is nothing wrong in making the pump end in a specific number, but it should be $xx.00, like I do. 😉 Three chapters?! NOOOOO! Things can’t come to a close THAT fast, can they?

This is a surprise! Thank you, Carlos! That sounded like a great birthday event for an Earth Day Baby. I remember going through a butterfly tent at a local flower show a few years ago. It was incredible being surrounded by so many beautiful creatures! I’m sure Liebe loved it. It does sound like The Incident is now underway. Not only have the Chinese now made contact with CJ, it looks like someone has been fiddling with his private safe. How could someone get into the apartment to do that? How could they figure out the combination? Obviously I am not spy or criminal minded. It looks like it’s a good thing CJ is so OCD over such a minor thing like how he leaves the safe dial. It was the only thing that alerted him that something may be hinky. They may be downplaying it for now as an accidental displacement, but things will start adding up soon, I’m sure. And hindsight is 20/20.. I certainly hope it isn’t one of these people they’ve trusted in their home, like this Elpidia. I don’t remember this character before and it may be interesting that he was so nervous to get out, despite what he said. I know, I know. I’m being paranoid, but we have foreknowledge that things quickly get bad enough that they have to flee Mexico for D.C., so… Anyway, I know this takes a lot of effort, but this is great, Carlos! I, for one, hope we keep getting extra chapters! Thank you, again!

I could easily see us retiring there! We even know the towns to concentrate on in County Tyrone, which is where hubby’s family is from (mine is from across the border in Monihan). It’s just so beautiful and everyone is so friendly. The first question is always, “And are you of Irish extraction?” They keep trying to see if you know where your people are from, but the moment you say no, they change the topic to something like the lovely weather! ☘️🇮🇪 The only thing is that family is here now. We would miss them too much!

Wow. Someone seems sure of herself. I really hate people like that. And who and why are these First Years who are submitting themselves to these disgusting vamps? Good for Rafe for standing up to them. Andre is going to have a problem if he is caught alone. Joe may also. I think Rafe is going to have to give them a good talking to about these vamps and give them, especially Andre, some defensive moves to protect them.

I guess they couldn’t understand why I insisted on the cheapest they had, but that’s what I had been told to use. I now make my own and prefer it to any store-bought. Maybe it was more amusement because I admitted not knowing what I was looking for. Whatever. What I got, worked great! I haven’t found the flavored Bailey’s a positive experience, so far, and haven’t heard of this red velvet one. I’m not really crazy about red velvet cake, so I don’t know that I would care for this one, either, but I could see using it in baking!

What a treat this morning! I had to read this with a sense of amusement, because I am probably the least knowledgeable person you have met about liquor. The last time I went into a (what they call a ‘package store’ here) liquor store, the people looked at me in befuddlement when I asked for the cheapest vodka, brandy and bourbon they had (I was making extracts). The only alcohol I know how to order is Bailey’s or Schnapps! I read your posts and can only hope that these people are only a small fraction of the customers you deal with. Hopefully, not everyone is that bad! Please! Well, take a deep breath. Dealing with them will be short term, hopefully.

It does sound like things are starting to come to a head here. Who is instigating it? Who is running with it? We want to know! On the side, the guys have a trip planned for Little Rhody in June, huh? There are several places I can picture them going for a wedding. St. Mary’s, where the Kennedys were married, or Rosecliff, one of the Gilded Age ‘cottages’ with about 35 rooms, are two of the most popular. I would invite the guys to lunch, but somehow, I don’t think they’ll actually make it there. Let’s hope they get to Mackinac!

I think Barbeau will help Dirk get himself pulled together. He’s just what Dirk needs—that fatherly figure that Tierney doesn’t quite fulfill. CAT FIGHT! CAT FIGHT! 🦁🐱 (sorry…closest I could get) We keep digging and coming up with additional aspects because we is smart peoples!

They’re safe! Yay! It is interesting that they both had that ‘sixth-sense’ feeling that something was about to happen, even if they couldn’t put their fingers right on it. This could be a good thing for them when they become Dragonriders. It’s understandable that they are reluctant to identify their hold. They are legitimately afraid to be returned there. They have no idea of the rules or traditions of the Weyr. All they really know are the rumors they have been inundated with all their lives. But even with those, they know they have a better future there than at Pinnacle! Manora will soon set them at their ease, even as strict as she can seem—she’s really a loving, motherly person. When will Kemi hear about them and come running? She will really seal the deal!

I can feel Vincent’s shock at being blocked by Caleb, but I guess I can understand Caleb’s position. This is his father-in-bond we are talking about, the man who never considered him worthy of his daughter. There are years of abuse to account for here. Despite the rules of no death (which Caleb will abide by), there will be a whole lot of hurt poured out by both men. And the worst thing is, I think Vincent and Mason will be unable to help Caleb according to the rules of challenge!

Of course the reporter only showed the sensational tidbits. I don’t blame Parker for being nervous about returning to school. He’s going to have to stick close to Natalie. I was surprised he got a new phone number, but I guess it is a good idea. It gives him a clean break from all the trouble-makers in his class.

Are you trying to drive me crazy?

I disagree. Jay went back early because he thought Loren was in danger. He went back to protect the one he loves. I also doubt he mentioned anything about Loren’s birth family to his family. If he did, he probably would have said something in the line of it being a sensitive topic and to please not bring it up. That may have been a mistake. He didn’t need to share the details of all of it, but he could have at least warned them that Loren had a hard history.

I’m glad I don’t know that song!

I, also, could see Jay sliding around corners in the cabin to get to the box for the photos. Very funny. I wasn’t worried about Loren, but I was concerned about that photographer and his friend who thought it would be allowable to force him to what they wanted. That was, simply put, rape. And with Loren’s history, it was the worst thing that could happen. I hope he fires that snake and spreads the word of how untrustworthy he is. And they have proof with his own post! I hope someone saves it before they can delete it! I loved the idea of Jay finding Loren in his bed. Loren certainly went there because he was so lonely for Jay. Was he even aware of what the snake was planning? Whatever, he was safe and sound in Jay’s loving arms. Just the fact that Jay scared Loren half to death when he tried to join him under the blankets showed how safe Loren felt that he could allow himself to sleep that deeply.

That was so fast-paced I had to read it a couple of times to catch all the action and nuances! What a tricky battle! Cy thought the Defenders could beat the Hunters, mostly by virtue of having the newbies onboard. Surprise! But he wound up so proud of Kaplan in the end, despite the injuries, and he deserved to feel guilty on those! How did Vince and Mason wind up? What about our other friends? A thoroughly enjoyable chapter.

Looks like every class I had when I said it was storytime! Kids LOVE storytime! At ANY time! The reporters must have found it interesting that Northman was the ONLY person who criticized CJ. Would that they could mention that in the article, but that would not be politic of them!

I must have glossed over that. I was reading it very late at night. Thanks!

Oh, the excitement and fears of moving into school dorms for the first time. Meeting new people and figuring out how to survive at the school. The guys have their work cut out for them, especially here! (BTW, I must have missed it. Where did the 10 years come from? I thought it was 4 years?)

Wow. I was just going to make a couple of comments, but there is a lot going on here. I laughed out loud with Loren’s comment about Michigan. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to correct people when they make a comment about me coming from Michigan, Illinois or even Montana! 🙄 People on the East coast seem to think that just because I grew up in ‘America’s Dairyland’ I must have lived on a farm. 🐄 The county I grew up in has more people than the current state I live in! Yes, you can hear cows in certain areas on the outskirts of the cities, but it’s usually the little towns. I do admit to hearing them in the middle of Milwaukee County for the State Fair the first week of August each year. It’s a blast. And yes, they did make full-size replicas of dairy cows out of both cheddar and butter a few years ago (in different years). Waukesha is, indeed, a lovely city. You said you hadn’t been there, but someone told you about all the one-way streets! They can drive you crazy! Jay’s Mom’s reaction to Loren didn’t surprise me. She was excited that Jay was actually bringing someone who he has indicated is extremely special to him. How did she know? Because of his silence beforehand. He was protecting Loren and she knew it! When they finally got there, she could see how nervous Loren was and she took him under her wing and treated him like one of her own. That’s a great Mom. That was just what he needed. I also agree with @wonderlakes. There wasn’t much with Dad. We can’t really make a comment about him, but I’m certain he’s as welcoming as Mom. And yes, no grill is complete without brats (from Klementz or Usingers, especially). The best way is to pierce the skin and soak them in a beer/onion bath before grilling, then served with onions on a hot dog roll. Yum!

Gatri has proven to be selfish and self-centered from the beginning. I am worried about Jevikel’s feelings about being followed. I hope it’s just his overactive imagination, but…

NO! Librarian is great for him! Just modify it as you did to a lower position! It was just the Head position at this point in time that was not realistic! Remember, I told you I was offered the position of Head Children’s Librarian fresh out of school for an entire county! He could be working there with a fresh degree or while getting it. I did. I had applied for a position as a Library Clerk, kind of an all-round helper of high school or college age, at the Library I had grown up with. (At first, the person I spoke with didn’t want to consider me because she kept insisting I was not carrying a full course of credits. I had to explain to her that the number of credits I had, though lower than an undergrad, was considered full+time for a grad student. 🙄) When the Director heard that I was in Library School, she offered me a job as a junior Reference Librarian. I was there for 1 1/2 years until I moved East for the school position I held for 31 years. Librarian and Bookseller is a perfect combination! I also worked at a childre’s bookstore for 2 years (there’s another story there, but…). The two work together symbiotically. It’s been my dream to open my own children’s bookstore! No! Keep him as a Librarian, just in a beginning position. He could even be #2 or #3 and be in line to be Director by the time he’s 30+. Just not 22! ❤️

It’s not an age thing, it’s an education thing. He needs to have, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s in any discipline (mine is K-12 education) and a 2-year Master’s. I decided to go the school library route, although I was offered a position as Children’s Librarian for an entire county, running 4-5 branches (it was over 30 years ago— I don’t remember how many branches, exactly). I was FRESH out of Library school and was in my late-mid twenties. I didn’t mean to sound picky.

The lake is about 15 miles east of our house. 😄 I grew up across from the State Fair grounds. Lots of crowing and mooing in August in the middle of the city! When I brought my husband there for the first time, he would wake up, get a cup of coffee and sit on the porch and just marvel at the uniqueness. 🤭