Clancy59

Seriously, I think you do a fair job with CJ, Owen and Liebe. They’re not going to be perfect. For one thing, CJ has a temper and it can flare up occasionally, even now. However, they have high expectations of, and for, Liebe. They are completely aware of the limitations of her age and make the proper accommodations. Avoiding ‘baby talk’ can have great effects on her vocabulary and her understanding of the discussions around her. I’m not crazy about her use of their names—I’d rather she use the traditional ‘Daddy and Papa’ or some variation, but that’s me. But not using ‘baby talk’ does not preclude the cuddling that is so necessary for the proper emotional development of the whole person, and they do that. That is not the ‘coddling’ you described when she got upset. They told her to tell them why she was upset. It helped her to realize what her issue was and help them solve it. However, it wasn’t surprising that Pam wanted to ‘rush to the rescue’ with those cuddles and kisses, but it really wasn’t her place since the guys were there, unless they asked for her assistance. She is the Grandma, not the Mama. Cuddling is for quiet, loving time. As far as Lourdes and Ritch are concerned, while I am glad the guys don’t have to deal with them, I do sometimes wish, however, they could be around to see the happy, successful adult CJ has become, in spite of their assumptions of worthlessness simply because he identified himself to them as gay. I, for one, never really had an issue with you having minors tasting the alcoholic beverages, even to the point of having a small amount for themselves on special occasions. (And they are teaching Liebe the proper way to be an Oenophile. It’s part of her heritage.) That could be because I was also raised that way. My parents did not drink wine every night, but they did 3 or 4 times each month. My brother and I were allowed to taste whatever they had, even if we were in a restaurant. Their position was that it took the mystique from alcohol and we wouldn’t be tempted to indulge as teens. It worked. Neither one of us has ever been drunk. Tipsy or buzzed, maybe, but not drunk. Neither one of us has ever had a DUI, either. One time, I was on a field trip with my junior high school French classes and we visited a winery in Door County, WI. After the tour, they took us all into the gift shop and offered the chaperones tastes of the wines. Well, my Mom was a chaperone and did taste. Imagine the shock of the other students when she simply turned to me and asked me my opinion! (She actually asked if it would be OK, first, though.) The other kids asked why I got a taste and they didn’t and were told by the tour guide that she had given the sample to my Mom. She couldn’t control if Mom gave me, her daughter, a taste or not! (We bought 2-3 bottles! 🤭). When I was a baby, evidently a great-aunt gave me a taste of beer on her finger. Mom said I made the worst face! I can’t drink beer to this day, although I will use it to cook with. And I never developed a taste for hard liqueur. Neither one of us has ever been interested in drugs in any way, shape or form. So, while these stories are fiction, they are quite realistic. You do keep close enough to the truth that people, most of them, don’t raise any objections. And when they do, I have seen you listen to them and give your reasons for going the direction you have or made the necessary adjustments. Keep up the good work!

Just because you love a child, or anyone for that matter, it doesn’t mean you don’t discipline him/her. In fact, that love should dictate that you DO discipline the child. You want that child to grow up to be a productive, responsible member of society, rather than a self-centered, egotistical, ‘me first’ kind of person. It doesn’t have to be harsh or abusive. However, it does need to make a point to the recipient of the discipline. The guys have promised to raise Liebe as a successful human by accepting their role as her parents. If only everyone took that responsibility as seriously!

I very seldom have fries anymore. I find them too greasy. But the Royal Burger fries sound like they might hit the spot!

Pam was in the depths of depression when she tried that sneaky stunt with the baptism. People knew she was still mourning her daughter, but they hadn’t realized how much at that point. CJ had to lay out the rules and the acceptable lines of behavior to her. None of the rest of the family had tried to interfere with the guys’ parenting the way she had. She wouldn’t have taken the reprimand from her husband or Owen. They were too close. It had to be CJ. When she finally realized that he wouldn’t back down, it rocked her to her core. She was terrified that they truly would prevent her from ever seeing Liebe again, and she simply couldn’t handle that. She had to change. Hopefully, she will be able to demonstrate that on this trip. No, she may never finish mourning Elizabeth. But, hopefully, she’ll realize that Liebe is a different person. She is not there as her biomother’s replacement. She’ll eventually be able to live beyond Elizabeth’s unfortunate death, instead of dwelling on it as she has for the past several years. Maybe, as Geoff said, the additional coming grand babies will help with this. Also, personally, I think the guys do a great job reprimanding Liebe. They always get her attention. They never raise their voices. They always explain what/why she was wrong and how to correct her actions. She may think one or both of them is mean, but she’s a kid! She’s having a normal reaction! I only wish we were all as calm as the guys with our own kids! And, yes, I figured they got the lighthouse in the RI gift shop at the airport!

Yay! We didn’t even have to wait for the new story! Thank you Carlos! This will be an interesting visit with Grandma and Grandpa Liston from Oztralia. (I love how toddlers come out with words.). Pam is a typical Grandma wanting to spoil her granddaughter, especially considering the distances involved and that they don’t get to see each other often. And she is still suffering the after-effects of the depression of losing her own Elizabeth, Liebe’s egg donor. Pam has difficulty separating the two, although she seems to be working on it. The Mexican Incident certainly did not help with this! Geoff is doing a good job keeping her level. CJ and Owen are going to have to have a lot of patience during this visit. Pam is afraid of CJ? Well, I guess I can understand, after he laid down the law after the tricks she tried to pull when they were in Australia when Liebe was a baby. She’s going to have to learn that Liebe is not her baby and the guys have final say over anything dealing with Liebe. I’m looking forward to this newest chapter in the Abelló/Liston Saga. Glad to see them all back!

Sounds like every Irish wake I’ve been to since I married into a very large, Irish Catholic family. Everyone gets together after the services to share a meal somewhere and talk about everything under the sun for several hours. Not only do we talk about the lost beloved one, we also discuss our jobs and recent trips, how the kids are doing in school and the prospects for the various sports teams, including high school, college and professional. Not very much is off the table. It may sound somewhat disrespectful to the deceased and the family, but the support is quietly given when needed, through hugs, holding hands or simply sitting close. Everyone shares in the life of the person, and that’s the important pint. Historically, for those who are unaware, the ‘wake’ was held immediately after the death of the person and prior to the funeral and burial. The reason was that, occasionally, there were instances of someone being mistakenly identified as dead. (Hey, it happened recently here in the US! The woman had actually been delivered to the mortuary from the hospital when the mortician realized she was still breathing at a very shallow rate and called the EMTs!). They wanted to make sure the person wouldn’t wake up. This way, they made sure they wouldn’t accidentally bury someone who was still alive. Some cultures also set a small bell over a grave with a chain into the coffin in the ground. Someone was assigned to wait here for however long, to make sure the buried person didn’t ring the bell for help and they would disinter the actually living person. This is where the phrase ‘saved by the bell’ came from. There are a lot of funerary traditions from all over the world. Thank goodness Karen had the intuitiveness to call Bruce when they couldn’t get ahold of Sawyer. It’s understandable why Sawyer didn’t respond to Marc’s calls. He thought he needed to make a clean break between them. There was no way he could tell Marc was trying to get ahold of him for an emergency, especially since he wouldn’t leave a message, if Sawyer would have listened to a message in the first place. I don’t know that Sawyer should feel any guilt here. Yes, he missed the emergency, but he’s here now. He can support and protect Marc from now on. The past week apart, and the way Sawyer flew to Marc’s side without even stopping to change clothes, should tell them both exactly where their feelings truly lie. There’s no hiding from them anymore. Sawyer has a great supporter in Reba. For one thing, I’m sure she’ll help clear the house out, especially of those old lady raptors who are already looking at what they want to snap up in the estate sale! No wonder Marc hid out in the pantry! Reba came upon them in the pantry and was not surprised to find Marc in Sawyer’s arms, finally receiving and accepting the comfort he so desperately needed. I said before, she knew. Rachel found them and was shocked (I guess she didn’t know, after all), but evidently all the clues finally fell in place for her. Their platonic relationship now makes sense to her. She may be sad that it will never go further, but at least now she knows. Now she can move on and, hopefully, find her own, true soul mate. Reba will be able to smooth the path with Karen and the guys and anyone else who could have an issue with Marc. I am looking forward to seeing the reunion and how they resolve their issues. I wonder if Aunt May left Marc any kind of letter, especially after hearing about her own missed opportunity with her long lost love.

Now, that’s what I picture them to be!

HEA! 👨‍❤️‍👨 👨‍👨‍👧 👨‍👩‍👦 ❤️

The only reason Finn showed up is because a check he thinks he was owed hadn’t shown up in his bank account. He wants that money, and he is planning on coercing Sawyer into giving it to him. He walked in on a romantic encounter between his brother and someone else. Sawyer immediately became protective of Marc, telling Finn, who is accustomed to reading between the lines as an attorney, there is something here. Something Sawyer wants to keep away from Finn. Finn is not stupid. He couldn’t be a successful attorney without having a knowledge of human psychology. He could, quite possibly, have overheard Sawyer’s phone call with Marc and put 2 and 2 together. Since Sawyer made it a point of not introducing them when Finn arrived and blocking Marc as much as possible from his view, Finn knows there is probably something here he could exploit. Just simply by greeting him in the morning, Finn has opened a whole can of worms for Marc. He may not know how, but he knew that something major would happen. Talk about sibling rivalry! Some other commentators have indicated a disappointment with Bruce. I don’t think I am so much disappointed with him as frustrated that he isn’t listening to Sawyer. He loves Sawyer as a brother (better than Finn!). He wants what is best for him. He has always known Sawyer as something of a player, out for a good time and not settling down with a single person. He is very likely the same way. He, himself, has not found that one, special person for whom he is willing to change his life for. Sawyer has. Bruce can’t quite get his mind around that. He gets that Marc is in the closet in this small, gossipy town and fearful of the consequences of revealing his ‘secret.’ He also knows that Sawyer is ‘Out and Proud’ and doesn’t understand why he would be willing to deal with Marc and his insecurities. To him, it isn’t worth the hassle. Just move on! He doesn’t understand that it isn’t that easy! I have no patience for that Kurt. He is only looking for a good time. When Sawyer politely turns down a weekend with him, I thought Kurt became rather nasty about it. Very shallow. If that’s the kind of person Sawyer has been involved with in the past, it’s no wonder Bruce is having difficulty getting his mind wrapped around Sawyer’s feelings for Marc.

With Leslie as a mother, Mini-Me had no choice but to develop an ‘Old Soul!’

Some people should simply never be involved in any way with the lives of children. Leslie is a prime example of Exhibit A. Interestingly enough, Mini-Me knew exactly where to turn for the comfort she needed.

I’m sure I will after that rather cryptic comment!

Poor Marc. He’s worried about Aunt May, and with good reason, too. He’s absolutely right that she needs to get to a doctor to check this out. It could be something simple like blood pressure or not having eaten properly that morning. But passing out could mean something much more serious. He’s worried and scared. She’s his entire family. It’s horrible realizing that someone you have always thought of as invulnerable could be susceptible to some kind of health issue and will not always be there for you. Sawyer is just what Marc needed in this instance. Not only did he receive the emotional help before, during and after the ‘confrontation’ with May, he also had Sawyer backing him up telling her to go to the doctor. Sawyer also helped calm Marc down when he could have lost his self-control because of his concerns and fears. This is what a good partner does. Supports and helps the other one. The hidden staircase was very interesting. I have to wonder about its original purpose. It’s too rickety to have been meant as a shortcut between levels. It was hidden for a reason. That staircase without a banister is a hazard! (Of course, I am speaking from the perspective of someone who has a fear of stairs from a childhood fall and needs to hold on to railings every time!). However, it was interesting being able to hear the discussion between Reba and Rick. Hmmm—could it have been meant as a kind of ‘priest’s hole’ where a person could hide and listen in on other people? Rick is oblivious about Marc, but I think Reba is completely aware of his feelings for Sawyer. The same could be said for Tim, especially after he was smirking at them as they spilled out of the hidden staircase. He may not have been aware before, and he may have stumbled upon the secret hidey-hole when he went looking for Marc, but he is certain he knows now! Hopefully he is not one who will cause problems for them. (Hmmm. Just a thought with the reno. Some people want to put in extra conveniences when they renovate, even in historic buildings. Not that they would, but that hidden staircase seems like the perfect place to install a small elevator. I know it sounds extravagant, but some people with multiple levels have done this.)

Bruce Banner?! Very cute. I have to tell you that, like Bruce, I am infatuated with historic structures. I don’t really have the ability or the wherewithal to rehab them like the guys do, however. (Bruce, I love tin ceilings, also! I saw a lot of them in Ireland.) I am so jealous (in a nice way) of those who do. The mill is beautiful! I also get a big kick out of the name Great Restorations. I assume you are a Dickens fan. Really, Bruce seems like a great friend to Sawyer, acting as the perfect sounding board keeping him sane and calm. He will be a great support for Marc, helping him when the truth comes out. If Bruce is back in the city, he, luckily, has the kind of job that, I think, he’ll be able to drop everything and run to their assistance. If he is that much in demand, I am sure he has plenty of staff to pick up the slack when he’s not there. I guess Rachel doesn’t really know about Marc, huh. I thought she did. Or maybe she is still trying to cover for him. Whatever, both guys are letting their feelings of jealousy show. If Marc doesn’t want people to know, he has to be a bit more circumspect. Things are getting interesting!

Marc may want to hide in the closet in this small, gossipy town, but he is slowly opening the door and stepping out with Sawyer. Yes, Reba is very aware of his extra interest in Sawyer, even if the guys aren’t. She has 2 boys of her own and has a different perspective on looking at Marc. Things will become much more evident when they start working on the house. Who is Sawyer’s friend? He is entitled to have non-romantic friends, Marc! He did have several friends in the city. I’m sure he was close to one of them. Rachel sounds like a lovely person and just the exact friend he needs. She may not be aware of his orientation (at least, I don’t think you indicated that), but when it comes out, she’ll stand by him as a true friend. I am really enjoying this story and looking forward to each chapter!

Well, you know, if you need a proofreader…

Ooh! Law school in 1924!? She IS pushing the envelope isn’t she? Will she be a mentor to RBG?

Marc is trying so hard, but the only one he is fooling is himself. Sawyer knew as soon as they met. Aunt May probably knows—she raised him and lived with him. Reba is a Mama to all the boys. She probably knows more than she is letting on, also. Rick may be a bit oblivious, but he’s a bit egocentric Things between Marc and Sawyer are going to erupt much sooner than later.

Weelll, I wouldn’t exactly say ‘no’ mischief! He did butt a few heads and there was the incident with the sailboat….

This was a lovely, wonderful surprise. Thank you! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the segments. Just a comment: There are so many people and it’s been a while. We need a character list!

I love the debates CJ gets into, especially when he ‘schools’ someone. I always learn something new, and your explanations, Carlos, of a wide variety of topics, especially in the realm of politics, helps me understand the issues much clearer. I am not, by nature, a political being, and it takes a great deal of study for me to fully comprehend all sides of an issue, so I love when CJ puts on his teacher hat and gets down to brass tacks. Thank you! The clambake couldn’t be the way CJ pictured it based on movies, with a pit dug into beach sand. The area there is terminal moraine and all rock. The only beach is the public beach at Easton, basically, and there’s no way they could close that off for a private party. It had to be a grill-type setup in some private area. Having said all that, how did we miss you referring to AOC as a ‘he?’ She is most definitely a ‘she!’ Also, ‘…CJ dug into his hoddie pocket?’ How did we miss those!? I looked back at my notes and didn’t see any mention of them.

Yurt is a smart guy and a total professional. Of course, he investigated Tahnee’s background thoroughly before allowing her to come to Makarovia! He would do nothing less. He COULD do nothing less! However, having said this, Katrina and Eric have affected him in both his professional and private lives. They have shown him the ‘human’ side of dealing with people and the difference it can make. Yuri has had that demonstrated by the change in Peter, by watching how Eric’s nurturing turned a shy, withdrawn young man into a vibrant, outgoing, cheerful member of the Royal Family. That was just the first example. There have been many more. Yuri realizes that Eric and Katrina have a different kind of awareness of people than he does, and he is trying to develop his own skills, as well.

There was evidently a meeting last night (1/12) and they voted to approve the funds to ‘study’ what is needed to properly repair the Walk. They have to do something fairly soon. The ocean will do a job destroying the areas around the damaged areas. The quicker the better. From what I heard, they’re talking less than $300,000. That’s a drop n the bucket for a community like Newport.

I’m glad to see the story continuing. I want to know about Tahnee, also! I hope it goes on for a while. There’s so much storyline for the guys! I know they were typos, but I thought it was funny when there were a couple of instances where you were writing about Tahnee, and instead of using the ‘o’ key, you hit the ‘0’ key instead. So, for example, early on, instead of ‘mother,’ you typed ‘m0ther.’ There was another instance later. Not a complaint. I just found it to be appropriately amusing.