Clancy59

If Margaret is no longer in the picture, why can’t the boys have their things back? Did she destroy them? Did she get rid of them? There’s been enough time for Richard to have gotten them back to them. In reference to Halor, is he, or someone with the same name, from another story? If so, I evidently missed it. May I have the title so that I can back read, please?

We’ve never been close, but it got worse when she came into the picture. Her family is very matriarchal. I could relate half a dozen stories from the wedding alone. They found out Mom and I won’t take abuse and have had to back off several times. I try to keep contact, but it’s hard. Their daughters have been severely brainwashed (we’ve heard them say things) and now there’s a new generation coming. (Funny how they claim that the only proper family consists of a married couple with their children, yet their eldest daughter now has 2 without being married!). They are also sanctimonious because the father evidently has an African-American heritage (you’d never know it), therefore, she knows ALL about black culture! Get the picture?

My brother tried to lock me out of the house I grew up in when my Mom when into hospice. Daddy was already gone for almost 4 years by then. She tore him a new one when she found out he was playing games with that and also blocking me and her from helping make decisions regarding her care. (He’s very arrogant and his wife is entitled.) I had to threaten legal action. Bottom line is that I now own the house, even 1100 miles away. I have a property manager who keeps an eye on it and we rent it out. Best decision! We are doing the same thing with the house my hubby inherited.

😝

I also figured out at the end that his desire for the venue had something to do with Haven. The idea of demonstrating the construction of a couple of buildings, and having a couple at various stages of completion from beginning to end, sounds like a good one. It also gives them a head start on the houses! I would find it interesting. People would see that the buildings are real houses, not slap-up shacks. Open it to the public for free or a donation for admission and it could raise a lot of money for the project. They might even get some volunteers! The cadets can’t do everything! The movie would be a great way to show how this would affect the local homeless vets and the local community. Ritch may not like ‘desk’ work, but he’s good at it. He knows how to delegate and how to prepare for his presentations. He’ll make a good officer.

Oh, dear. Two upset, lonely young men. Add in skins of wine and double commiseration in their romantic failings. This does not bode well for the rest of the evening! At least, please get them into the weyr before the lamentations commence!

LOL! As I was reading of Tony’s introduction to the farm, the first thing I thought of was, “Where are the chickens?”

Yes, but that was one instance of a self-centered maniac (I could make some additional comments, but I would get into trouble). In your world, this is an established, 1000-year old custom. There is a bit of a difference. But again, this is fiction, and you are allowed your literary license.

You are right. But I thought this was a Western society.

Whatever, the punishment is inordinately harsh!

You’re right. I remember hearing about that one, also. And you are right about there being some strange customs!

I have also heard of higher-ranking brides who would have special rings that could be broken or opened onto the bedding and spill enough blood to make it appear that she was a virgin. This was more common than you might think since, surprisingly, not all girls have a hymen that bleeds when broken, or would not bleed enough for her to be declared virgin. The gift of the vial or ring of blood was a safety issue for the girl since consequences could be severe, depending on circumstances. Even worse, feel pity for the poor bride whose consummation (what a horrible term!) had to be witnessed! There could be a crowd of people watching to make sure there were no tricks!

I was reading this and thinking about my husband’s stroke in February, 2019. Thankfully, I was in my first year of retirement and therefore home, because it hit him at 10:30 am. If I hadn’t been home, he would have been laying there for hours and we wouldn’t have gotten him to the hospital so fast. His was also a clot and, although he had no control over his left side or speech during the episode, within 2 hours, after they removed the clot, it was like nothing had happened! It is horribly scary to watch someone go through this, however. As far as Chet having some champagne for New Year, they are not hiding alcohol from him. It’s a special occasion. They are not keeping it a secret from him, thus making it a ‘forbidden fruit’ that is highly valued. My parents allowed us to taste their wine. It was no secret of how it tasted (I didn’t like it much), so when we were teens, there were no temptation. Mom told the story of a great-aunt giving me a taste of beer when I was about a year old. She said I made the most awful grimace! Maybe that’s why I won’t drink it even today!

Is it just me, or is there a reason Pete found a photo that ‘looks like Grandpa’s farm?’ Maybe I’m just too suspicious. 🧐

Oh, THANK YOU! Now I know I’m not the only one! 😆

What is it with you and chickens?! ☺️🐔🐥

Wow! I always taught my students to read the first page or two of a book to see if it ‘grabbed’ them. I told them it was likely to keep their interest all the way to the end. This was a ‘grabber,’ alright!

There are so many characters between the riders and their dragons, as well as the weyr workers and outside holders, you’re going to need to set up a directory like Anne and Todd did! I’m getting confused at times with who is who and where and what the relationship is! And now Zalna wants to transfer to Benden and another Weyrwoman be introduced. Phew! Keep up the great story! You are an excellent storyteller. I always love to see you in the new chapter line-up.

Well, I, for one, think it was tremendously well done, sir.

@rbenn55, no. I didn’t realize Ames was that far south. I’m in New England.

This has been a great story. I looked forward to reading it each week. Although I knew it had to happen, I am sorry to see it end. Hopefully, there will be other stories. After all, Jada needs a mate. And the other guys are returning. The twins will be growing up. This could be a refuge pack. I am sure I speak for many when I say we look forward to additional tales.

I’m looking forward to Wagner seeing just who he smugly and idiotically confronted. What a wake-up call for him!

Wow! I’ve never been the inspiration for an author or artist before! I am honored! Now, GET OUT OF MY HEAD! You have to be there, because you heard every one of my comments about ‘musicians’ in films or on TV that I have ever seen! I play piano. I know what it should look like! I also play violin. It drives me nuts when I watch the ‘fingering’ and ‘bowing’ some ‘musicians’ use on their instruments. We went a few years ago to see a show where a violinist was jumping around the stage playing while these ribbons on her dress were flying everywhere. I didn’t believe she could play while moving like that, but when some of the ribbons wrapped around her hand and bow, forcing it to stop, but the music didn’t...well, I was in a funk for the rest of the show and I don’t really like watching them on TV anymore, either. I don’t know that anyone else caught it, it was very subtle and quick, and we were in Orchestra seats, but I was certainly put off by it! Thank you again for the shout-out. I almost woke hubby up when I saw the title and your intro! 🥰

Everybody is on Matt’s case. Even I have commented on how Matt has been obtuse to Seamus’ and his machinations. But that’s just it. Seamus has been just as lax about communicating with Matt. He has been lonely since he lost Kelly, it’s true, but he is seeing Matt and Aiden as the instant family he is yearning for. Matt is just starting out in life and has suddenly found himself unexpectedly responsible for an infant. He is trying to keep up his college classes and get his degree and get established independently. Now, he has described his plans for the next couple of months, without realizing how they sound to Seamus. They need to sit down and TALK! They have been on a dating high. They were happy with the new and exciting. That’s fine. But now, they need to come back down to earth and deal with real life. Hopefully, they will use Friday for this.

(I had to send this this way, because I couldn’t send two responses above!) ❤️❤️❤️