Summerabbacat

It is a cliche, but I dare say Carl may well be a "chip off the old block".

I think your writing has universal appeal @Mark Ponyboy Peters as commented by several American readers in relation to some of your other stories, although I have always found them to be quintessentially Australian. Throw in a few y'alls here and there, some graham crackers and s'mores and plenty of barbecued meat, and it will be as American as root beer and baseball. "Now, what’s for supper? Something smells good!’ Kayce asked, as he glanced around the kitchen and noticed that Tate had cooked way too much again, as well as setting three places at the table." I observe the presence of hay fever-inducing scenes already Mark. I imagine such behaviour is probably not uncommon when a loved one first passes. A number of the Dutton family seemed to die at a very young age. Did COVID take a heavy toll on them, or was there some kind of natural disaster which killed some of them? I assume Carter and Tate are the studs shown on the front cover of the "book". Whichever one has his face fully showing is a looker.

I will skip the branding if you describe the process in any detail, and any other scenes which I find cruel. If they kill any bears or wolves I may have to stop reading.

Exemplary behaviour.

I forgot to comment @Mark Ponyboy Peters I am very pleased there is no Peter Dutton amongst the family.

It is good exercise, but I am a bit clumsy now @Ivor Slipper.

Although I am disappointed the story is not based on Skippy, Kingswood Country, Number 96 or Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, I am very glad it is not based on Little House On The Prairie or Dukes Of Hazzard. I must confess to not ever having heard of this show @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but then it is hardly surprising given I do not watch TV. I thought at first when I saw the title of the story the TV show may have been one with the same name. I Googled it, only to find out Montana Hearts is the name of several different romance novels. Is there something you are not telling we readers Mark? LOL. I did a little research on Kevin Costner and was surprised to learn he is only 8 years older than us Mark. I also realised I have never seen a film with him in it. If the story is set on another ranch, please warn me if there are any depictions of calf roping, rodeos or animal slaughter, so I can skip over it.

The "Hugill mind" is obviously a fine-tuned piece of superior quality craftsmanship, as you appear to switch effortlessly from one story to another with nary an error. I have often wondered how you do this, and have imagined you have a large electronic whiteboard with all the characters names from the various stories written thereon, like I have seen in any number of British crime shows. You've probably got it on a tablet or something technologically advanced though, something with which I would have zero patience.

The house, workshop and garden need a lot of work. I cannot recall if you have ever revealed how old Brian, Gordon and Russ are @Robert Hugill, but given Toby is 15 I am guessing they are likely to be in their late 30's/early 40's. Young enough still to endure the inconvenience of less than perfect accommodation and tolerate endless renovations. With all of Russ' business connections he must surely count amongst them some architects/builders/tradies who could be relied upon to be reliable and do quality work. Perhaps you might "borrow" Colin and his team, Robert. Toby will be very pleased with his new home, assuming the purchase proceeds. It may make it difficult for friends to visit though. Speaking of friends, are we likely to see a reappearance of Noah? With the introduction of Oliver & Julian: Family Matters I was a little concerned you may have lost interest in this story, Robert. I am very pleased you have not as I have always liked all four of the main characters.

Which I find interesting to read about, although much of it goes over my head. I did try listening to a Maria Callas CD once, and whilst I found some of it appealing, after about 30 minutes I was bored.

Swing being the operative word perhaps @Vcs.

Foster and Slug. It is very apparent after this chapter Foster is the individual for whom the nickname Slug is more apt, whereas Slug whom we now know by his birth name of Brayden, is much less a slug and more a Rhodesian Ridgeback, large, docile and very protective when needed. Brayden surprised me with his immediate reaction to Foster's homophobia, a reaction which could have spelt trouble for Foster if Jake had not intervened. I will not be at all surprised if it emerges Brayden is gay and has a crush on Jake, a crush which Jake will let down easily. If Brayden is not gay, he may have a gay sibling or someone else close to him whom he feels very protective of. Like @drsawzall, I too would like to see Foster, more aptly nicknamed Grub or Roach, and Brayden swap rooms. I am not sure Brayden has a sharp mind, but I strongly suspect he is very observant and very intolerant of bullies. And like @weinerdog, I hope Foster does something else which provokes Brayden sufficiently that Brayden gives him a hiding. It may be Foster will find out Jake is a "fag" and start in on him, which I predict will ignite a fury in Brayden worthy of Carrie White. I too believe Jake will stay the night at Kody's to ensure he awakens safely, albeit hungover. Kody's hungover state may also encourage Jake to disclose to Kody his history of addictions, and perhaps even the horror of his family life and the outcome thereof. What an outstanding chapter @Josh Aterovis. Never can I recall being so overjoyed I was wrong about the persona of a character in a story. Brayden's physical appearance and behaviour prior to the party belied his true character. l look forward to further "shocking" revelations about him. I sense he is going to be a significant ally for Jake and Kody, even if he has a crush on Jake.

He is fighting a losing battle to "educate" philistines like me @Gary L. Classical music, opera, poetry and art are lost on me, although I do like reading about them when written by Sir Robert (how that other lesser Sir Robert got a knighthood and @Robert Hugill remains "untitled" is a mystery). And yes, long may he remain and if I have my way, long may he reign. As an aside, if the housing crisis in Spain leads to the election of a fascist government and you need to flee, Julian may have room in his Clapham mansion for you, Paco, Lilibeth and Greta. I am sure you would make much better friends for him than Cliff and two 'r' Garry.

It has long been a dream of mine to win the Powerball and have a huge rescue shelter for cats and kittens. If the "cold" fellas from the government ever tried to detain (is that a euphemism for murder) anyone at Two Spirits Horse Ranch I suspect they would need more than a St Christopher's Cross to save their sorry arses.

"Every time I think of or hear the phrase ‘pray tell,' I’m reminded of the television series Pose with the fabulous Billy Porter as Pray Tell, also known as Prayerful in the film. This central character is a gay man from Pittsburgh, c. 1945, who moves to New York City in the late 1980s to escape a difficult childhood and immerse himself in the vibrant underground ballroom culture. A great show for anyone interested." I just looked at a couple of Youtube clips and it looks like something I would enjoy immensely. Both Billy Porter and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez were very impressive in the snippets I saw, and both looked very much like Diana Ross, specifically mid 1980's Diana Ross, Diana Ross Swept Away.

@Wiyot would have to livestream it from Montana for me. Or perhaps he could record it and send it via some electronic method, but it would have to be simple.

May I suggest a beagle for Jo. They are the most "popular" dogs used and abused in all manner of cruel and unnecessary laboratory experiments by salopes worldwide. A rescue beagle for our resident harmonica player. Perhaps he can name the beagle Stevie or Wonder, after the great man himself who is a renowned master of the harmonica. I had a baker's dozen at one stage. Ava was the only one who ever objected to a new arrival, and it was always to a similar aged female.

I have always been one to "learn" more effectively with a live demonstration or by on-the-job training rather than "troubleshooting" (a pet hate of mine on any site).

And very "toothy". "Watch the teeth" a wise precaution with such dental prominence. Mind you, the size of the mouth is one which would challenge Carly Simon in its open state. Is it a Massachusetts "thing" @drsawzall?

With or without a demonstration @dboggs9700?

"Then, suddenly, both Bass and Jake jumped up, leapt out of the water, and ran right for Jo, who took off across the pasture. Poor Jo, with his petite legs, didn’t stand a chance of outrunning the much bigger, taller men." I was a little concerned at first how Jo might react to this situation, but I need not have worried as it was all done in good fun. I had an image of him as a little Shetland Pony trying to outrun a thoroughbred racehorse like Secretariat. Jo's delight at the prospects of his own hound dog brought a tear to my eye (more than one actually). I have said it before but it bears repeating, Jo derives immense joy from things many would consider ordinary or unexciting; it is testament to his innate goodness that he does. Whenever I adopted another cat or cats to add to my feline family, it was always a joyful experience, although Ava did not agree with me when I adopted Kiki as she already had her beloved Bassey, and certainly did not need another female encroaching on her "territory". Surprisingly, when I adopted Zelda, Frida and Missy, Ava did not bat an eyelid, perhaps because they were kittens whom she could "mother", except for Frida who very quickly said "back off bitch", you ain't washing any part of me with that their tongue as I know where it has been. “Kidd, the earlier you learn this, the better. Don’t ever sell your talents or your efforts short. A man who does an honest day’s work deserves an honest day’s pay. Here on Two Spirits, every man receives what he earns and is always recognized for his efforts.” OMG @Vcs. First off the ranch employees have healthcare as part of their employment package, and now we learn they receive fair wages for their labour. This is almost "socialism"; POTUS and SCOTUS will not be pleased. Whatever happened to treat your employees like the complaining thieving ingrates they are so that you are able to increase profits for the shareholders?

Some very sensible requirements listed for potential adoptions @Vcs. The rescue group I formerly belonged to had similar requirements for both cats and dogs.

You've "lost" me @drsawzall. The video only goes for 5.09 or is that your point, that this was one video made in the early 80's you were not in? As acknowledged, you made a "sizzling" appearance in More Love by Kim Carnes, Life At The Outpost by The Skatt Brothers and Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other by Willie Nelson. And although you have not acknowledged it, I am almost certain it is you in Olivia's Physical as one of the buff poseurs, in Fame by Irene Cara, She Works Hard For The Money by your fellow Bay Stater, Donna Summer, and in Beat It by Michael Jackson. If it was not you in these videos, then you have a doppleganger

Carl to his father, “Dad, this new kid in town is busting my arse and is calling me Tubby. Can I borrow your gun and can you sign me up for Jenny Craig?” Carl’s father Oswald aka Ozzy to Carl aka Porky, “You can borrow my gun as long as you don’t use it and get caught, but signing you up for Jenny Craig. No. I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That). Go on a diet Porky”.

Aday's little present in Kurtis' underwear was an indication of how petty and juvenile Carl's little band of morons is. I peed in your underwear, aren't I clever and amusing. No, you're just a grubby little turd who seemingly needs to wear a nappy (diaper for you Americans). Kurtis emerged victorious from the latest hazing event devised by Carl. Carl's pathetic attempts at a put down of Kurtis left him, Carl, All Revved Up With No Place To Go. Kurtis was able to not only complete the course, but also put Carl in his place. The only thing Kurtis was not able to achieve was to improve Carl's intellect, but Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad. Kurtis' revelation to Paul he is gay was welcomed with open arms, and with an open throat. There was little Paul could say in return other than You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, in addition to his cock. Perhaps Paul may be a real Dead Ringer For Love. I always imagined Meatloaf was tall as well as obese. Seemingly, he was not, tall that it is. Cher demonstrated her much underrated skills as an actress in this video too, appearing to find him appealing and attractive. I imagine his political beliefs were an anathema to her too as she is well known for her scathing contempt for the current administration.