Summerabbacat

All this talk of morning/mourning wood, hardwood and taking root has me all "verklempt" @drsawzall. I ask for one thing only, I don't want anyone to "show us their beaver". The one you posted above is quite sufficient. The appearance of the green-eyed monster in Tabby's countenance was a relief. It proved he is in touch with reality, that life is not all kale, kombucha and kindness. Make the "pepperoni pop"? For fuck's sake, the only thing which will pop if you continue to eat pepperoni is an artery. A cracking pace @Topher Lydon. It brought to mind Doris Day singing The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane.

"How about him and Barrett? Do they know each other, do you think?’ I asked. At this he really did smile. ‘Yeah, I’m sure they do. They would sometimes ask me if I’d seen the other one recently, and they would both get pissed if I said yes. In the end I always used to say I hadn’t, because it was like . . ." I thought there was likely a connection between Corcoran and Barrett, however, Casey's comment revealed little as to what the connection is, probably because he does not know himself. There appears to be no love lost between the two, which is very intriguing. I assume each knows the others' preference for young blonde teenage boys, and it is this which is the likely source of the animosity between the two. AC Barrett is seemingly being protected by the Police Minister; if so, clearly AC Barrett has some dirt on him. Perhaps he, the Police Minister, has a preference for sex with underage boys and/or girls. Like several of the faithful have commented, Rick's discussion of Casey's infatuation with him was handled with sensitivity and certainty. It is quite clear why the boys all like him, he is a kindred spirit. His own suffering has given him a deeper understanding of what they have experienced and how it has impacted them. I don't see Thompsonville in the future for any of the boys, but possible adoption by Tom and Beth, Rick and Adam, or by Helen would not surprise. Speaking of Helen and children, I won't be at all surprised if Helen has had a child of her own which she gave up for adoption or which was taken from her because she is a lesbian. There is an innate sadness to her which she masks with a tougher than nails persona. Outstanding chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, exemplifying why you finished 2025 with 17 top 10 placings across a myriad of categories.

A chill Theo perhaps @Paladin? Hard to imagine. Forget What A Difference A Day Makes (although a great song), in Theo's case it should be What A Difference A Tongue Makes.

Although the song pays tribute to the "incorrect" gender, Theo worked hard for the "money shot". A sizzling sex scene @Laura S. Fox, with Theo particularly appreciating a never-experienced before rimming from Vince. I imagine now he has experienced nirvana with his guardian mate, he will want a repeat performance again, and again, and again ...............And as for the "Cinnamon One", the health benefits Theo will reap from further "oral appreciation" of the field mouse, cannot be underestimated. He has already benefitted with a reduction in stress. Between the butt-munching guardian and the cinnamon one, the alpha will be invincible Beyond The Veil.

Gerardo's account of his family was awful. Surrounded and belittled by men, who mistakenly believe their toxic masculinity makes them "real men". The arrogant bullying grandfather who brands Gerardo a pansy, a queer, a faggot because he likes to draw and paint (had the old fool never heard of Pablo Picasso, painter, notorious womaniser and misogynist, just the sort of "man" one would think grandfather might admire). The damaged father who cowers when bullied by his father, Gerardo's grandfather, and then takes his frustrations out on his wife, Gerardo's mother. The bullying brothers who have mindlessly bought into Franco's ideals because it facilitates their continuation in life as brain-dead fuckwits who believe they are "real men". His family makes Ximo's family look like saints. And the football team. One can only hope their predatory behaviour comes back to bite them on the arse. Very well written @Gary L. The restraint used in describing the bullying scenes made them all the more menacing and violent as one's imagination was ignited by suggestion. I had the song Real Men by your former fellow countryman, Joe Jackson, playing on loop in my head as the bullying scenes took place. I have a sticker on the back of my front door (I cannot put it on the front of the front door as the front is "common property") which states 'Real Me Rescue Cats'. It was given to me by a now deceased truck driver, a really butch bloke, who was the spouse of a woman who was associated with the pet rescue group I belonged to. Very much the quintessential Aussie bloke, until any mention of animal cruelty, at which point he became a blubbering mess. He, like me, adored cats. He was a tireless fund raiser too until ill health reduced his capacity for many things significantly. In my eyes he was a "real man".

"It was white. Or, it had been white. Now it was a shade of cream that suggested it had been chain-smoking since the Reagan administration. It had wood paneling on the sides—fake wood, peeling slightly at the edges. The white vinyl top was up, looking like a bad toupee." Such vivid imagery. I had no idea what a LeBaron was, but after reading this it just had to be a large, ugly, petrol-guzzling tank of a car, one which I imagine Granny would have had trouble seeing over the dashboard, unless she was a large-framed woman. "You boys drive safe. And watch out for the potholes on Elm. They're eating Toyotas this year." One of my favourite remarks in this chapter. I immediately thought of an 80's classic by Blondie, the fabulous Rapture, in which Deborah Harry sings: "You go out at night, eatin' cars You eat Cadillacs, Lincolns too Mercuries and Subaru And you don't stop, you keep on eatin' cars Then, when there's no more cars You go out at night and eat up bars where the people meet" Mr Vain and Barbie Girl. Infuriatingly catchy. In a decade which gave us grunge and Alanis Morrisette, Eurodisco was a welcome reprieve. Contrary to the bullshit rhetoric of the anti-disco boneheads who participated in the demolition at Comiskey Park, Chicago, on 12 July 1979, disco did not die in 1979/1980. This story is as I anticipated @Topher Lydon, a riotous romp, full of sparkling wit, pop culture references and quirky characters direct from a John Waters film (without the alliterative names).

I am a big fan of natural therapies for various ailments, but have never heard of burdock. After reading of its purported healing properties I am surprised it is not widely used in natural therapies and readily available in powdered or tablet form manufactured by businesses in the natural therapies industry. I had to laugh about the dandelion tea. I loathe tea of all varieties and very rarely drink coffee, but love a cup of dandelion during the winter months (almost as much as hot chocolate). Although I like pink as a colour, Granny's pink bathroom sounded hideous. I had a vomitorious image of Barbara Cartland lying fully stretched in the bath (fortunately I was unable to see if she was naked), whilst drinking pink champagne. Whilst I like Tabby, his morning cheerfulness and belief that 60°F is sufficiently warm to enable one to go without a shirt, are patently WRONG. Alvin's patience in the face of such nonsense, was remarkable. I like Alvin's cynicism, his healthy doses of sarcasm and his sense of humour: “The pipes *sing*,” Alvin repeated, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Of course they do. Probably show tunes. Something from *Oklahoma!" Very funny.

I must confess I was drawn to this story solely because of characters named Alley Cat and Tabby. After reading this first chapter, I am glad I allowed myself to be seduced by such a facile motivation. A very amusing chapter I found this to be. The dreaded doilies are a reminder of my childhood/teenage years in rural Australia in the 1970's and 1980's, with both my maternal grandmother (who died in 2012 just shy of her 96th birthday) and my mother (soon to be 84) avid collectors of these hideous "ornamental mats". Given Granny's decorative "taste" I have to wonder if she also had a crocheted toilet roll doll. I have a sneaking suspicion my mother still has one of these eyesores inside of which the next toilet roll to be used, is housed. I seem to recall said crocheted toilet roll doll also sat on a lace doily on a little stand. Her crocheted "dress" and "bonnet" were purple if I remember correctly. Tabby, the tomato whisperer, is an interesting character. Whilst I admire his environmental credentials, I absolutely loathe kale. People often assume that because I am a long-time vegetarian, and often vegan, that I will love kale. No, I do not. I may as well eat lichen, dirt or bark. 🤮🤮🤮🤮. Excellent start to what promises to be a riotous romp @Topher Lydon.

No, no, no, it cannot be @Davide; my first thought after "He got on the bus without another word, but not before brushing my hand with his for the briefest second. Not forgiveness. But not rejection either." was this may be the last time we will see Yeison alive. I hope this is not the case as I like him. I think his possessiveness is likely due, in part at least, to the inadequacy he feels because of his poor background. One cannot fault him for feeling this either, as we live in a world obsessed with youth, beauty, money, status and power. Hunter's taste in boys is questionable. How he can possibly be attracted to Miguel is beyond belief. He has repeatedly observed Miguel being a bully, and is rightfully angered and repulsed by this, and yet he is still attracted to him. Miguel is a vile person, and his excuse that he cannot be himself because of his upbringing well may be legitimate, but I have zero sympathy for him. He is a toxic loser who is in dire need of a taste of his own medicine. Perhaps a cartel member can teach him a lesson, one he will remember forever.

Perhaps it is a coincidence, but is this Alex the same Alex who was the son of Jim in Ring @ChromedOutCortex? Adam's grip on reality still appears tenuous if he is "pretending" Jamie is still alive. When he is by himself he appears to be well aware Jamie is dead, and that he is "hearing" Jamie only in his head. I too wonder as did @CincyKris if Adam returned home for Christmas and summer (which I have to remind myself do not occur at the same time as they do in Australia).

I have not seen Purple Rain either, but from what I have read of it, I doubt I would like it. Love his music though (I have 28 albums on CD and 8 on vinyl). I am old school, I don't stream music or listen to it on my phone; I still buy CD's and vinyl.

I am still very pleased you have persevered with this one @ChromedOutCortex. It is such an "easy" read, particularly when compared to In My Mind.

The text in bold, a particularly appealing aspect of this story @pvtguy.

I had never heard of him @andy cannon. What an inspiration.

Unless it is @Lee Wilson lite @weinerdog, it is almost a certainty there will be a Jack Taylor, Sandy Hairston, Melton Dixon or Rod Quincy Sr amongst the teammates who witnessed the Higgins Fernandez kiss. And I am sure it is entirely coincidental, but writing Higgins Fernandez brought to mind Wilhelmenina Wiggins Fernandez, an African-American opera singer who starred in Diva, a wonderful French film from 1981. Of course, thinking of this @Lee Wilson, I just had to investigate if there is a Youtube clip for the aria she sang, and luckily for me, there is. C'est magnifique. Sounds like a heart attack in waiting @weinerdog. Another terrific chapter @Lee Wilson. All this positivity; have you been listening to the Purple One?

Is bullfighting still popular amongst the masses @Gary L? And then there is the Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona. I am always pleased when some "humans" are killed in the latter stampede, unfortunately it is always a relatively small number.

Peggy's verdict @Mark Ponyboy Peters; she agrees with me.

I had to stop reading this story for a while because it is so distressing. Whilst I realise it is fiction, it is so wholly believable such that one can easily imagine something like this occurring in real life. It is a testament to your writing skills @ChromedOutCortex that this story could have such a profound impact on one. I am going to restrict reading this story only when I feel "up". If I have had a shitty work day or if my eldest cat is not feeling well (hence I am not feeling well) I shall put it aside and revisit later.

I did mean him. I entered Ximo in Google to determine if it was a Spanish name as I assumed it was. His name showed up and when I read he was a Socialist politician in Valencia I thought he might have been an inspiration. Google does come in quite handy at times.

No, but it did hit heavily with the latest chapter of Traditions. C'est magnifique.

Methinks Armand is a sleazy lech who may try to get into Ximo's pants. Ximo's "superior" birthright may be what saves him from unwanted advances. Methinks Geraldo is likely Ximo's long-term lover whom he referred to when he first met Jack and Joan. His position is even worse than that of Ximo, it is almost as if he has been bonded from birth because of the accident his father had as a young boy. Another excellent chapter @Gary L. Several times I wondered what Almodóvar might do with a story like this, particularly as it is linked to Franco. And I have to ask, was Ximo's name inspired by Ximo Puig, or was it just chosen because it is a diminutive of Joaquin?

Rick is very decisive and resolute in the execution of his duties as evidenced by his quick thinking in ensuring the safety of the blonde skater boy. Although it resulted in Corcoran getting away again, Rick really had no choice to act otherwise. If Corcoran had managed to get his hands on the blonde skater boy it is highly likely he would have suffered the same fate as Martin, Alexis and Jimmy Tan, or at the very least the same fate as Cory. Perhaps I am being too harsh in my criticism (which would be so unlike me), but how was a 14 year old teenager able to track down a criminal and keep watch on him and the police were not. Did the police make any effort to locate Corcoran after Rick provided intel on him to Helen? Of course, had they done so, this story would essentially be winding down, which is obviously not the intent of @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Is Corcoran being protected by AC Barrett, or are his crimes totally unrelated to those being perpetrated by Corcoran? Corcoran appears desperate to feed his desires, which has increased his brazenness, and will hopefully lead him to becoming sufficiently reckless soon such that he is caught. @weinerdog may well be right in that Corcoran may make an attempt during the Mardi Gras parade to grab an unsuspecting blonde teen for his pleasure. Nick's mother Wendy is doing a fine job raising her sons, single-handedly if Nick's comment regarding his father is to be believed. If his comment was true, it is probably better if his father is absent from his life. Tension plus again in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Just as well my blood pressure is under control, otherwise I could have been flat on the floor.

I should have emphasised @Gary L that as Roger is much older than Joaquin, he has had the time and the opportunities to form connections, both good and bad, which Joaquin has not yet been able to form, even though he is of "superior" birth.

Very intriguing and suspenseful; @Gary L. It seems the good doctor's words, similar to the adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer", may be spot on. It appears likely, to me at least, the anonymous call to the Guardia Civil that a group of homosexuals had gathered to celebrate the assassination of the Prime Minister in the Bar Montserrat, must have been made by someone within the group gathered at the bar. Is there a traitor within MELH, a double agent, much like Gerardo it would seem, and if so, who is that person. The most obvious candidate, to me at least, is Roger aka Armand de Fluvià i Vendrell a man who because of his birthright and his vocation, may have access to people "in the know" in Guardia Civil and/or within Franco's circles. He came across as very disingenuous to me, or perhaps I am just projecting my distrust of people born into "noteworthy" families of privilege and wealth.

I remembered the title of the song by Tommy Tutone (I even remembered the band's name), courtesy of Casey Kasem's American Top 40, but could not remember the melody of the song itself. I just played a snippet of it from a Youtube listing and know why I could not remember it. Not a fan, but not so hideous like Keep On Lovin' You by REO Speedwagon or Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor that I could not avoid remembering it. I have not seen Bruce Almighty, in fact I don't think I have ever heard of it before.