Bill W

It's not a happy read, because this story deals with some difficult topics, but it's very well written and will evoke many emotions, some of which are gut-wrenching. However, I found myself totally invested in the story and couldn't stop reading, because I wanted to see how things turned out. There were a few surprises at the end, and if you aren't put off that this isn't a light-hearted and joyful story, then you should give it a try.

Ron, when the story started, I wasn't sure if the abuse Max was going through was physical or sexual, but it made more sense once I discovered it was physical abuse. Although it's not a happy read and I found the story emotional and gut-wrenching, you had me so invested that I couldn't stop reading. After Max saw his mom in the window and merely drove away, rather than going the rest of the way to see her, I was surprised when he later accepted her invitation to stop by the house. I had the feeling there might be some money involved, but I was thinking that she merely wanted to give him part of her share of what her husband had left her, not that his father had included him in his will. If Max moves back into the house, it's going to be very interesting. Not only am I wondering how Tom will react, I'm almost positive that his wife isn't going to be happy about it. It's obvious that she wasn't happy that Tom had named his daughter in Max's honor and was also calling her Max, since his wife had stated that she didn't him calling his daughter using THAT boy's name. Will Tom slip over to Max's house when his wife is shopping, in remembrance of their youth, or will his wife leave him if he still wants to be friends with Max? It could be very interesting. Wonderful job, though. Kudos!

Yes, VB, the treasure was right there when they got past the debris, but they still had to make the tunnel to get it out. I'm sure we'll find out in the next chapter if there was wore treasure in the cave. Yes, the probably could change their eyes on ones that could see better in the dark, such as an owl or cat, but they went with the flares and flashlights instead. I think we're all hoping they find enough to last them a very long time, although maybe not for many hundred of years.

If you enjoy a romance that starts off as a crush, has the potential of merely ending up as unrequited love, but eventually the barrier is broken, then this story is for you. This wonderful work also contains a little excitement as well, and it's well-written and will keep you entertained until the very end, when you'll simply sit there going, "Awww". It's an easy and heart touching tale, so do yourself a favor and give it a read. You'll be glad you did!

Addi, if you love reading 3 and 4 year old reviews, then you're going to go crazy over this one. Anyway, I loved this story. An attraction that could have remained unrequited love heats up when Romeo decides to go out of his way to help his crush. Chasing after him to give him the flash drives was one thing, but when J drove off and Romeo went even further by riding his bike after J, that proved how sweet and thoughtful Romeo was. I have to admit that the chase, as well as Romeo giving J a freebie after he forgot his wallet was special too, so no wonder J wants to take Romeo out to dinner. Anyway, great short story, as always. Thanks for the sweet tale.

It might be Gigantopithecus instead, but close enough.

I guess that might be a possibility if they used Shiva as a model. But you have to remember the shaman once told them they could only duplicate things that had once lived on or roamed the earth, so maybe that would eliminate the idea, since I don't believe Shiva ever resided on earth.

Yes, during the Early Dynastic period in ancient Egypt, some pharaohs and high nobility had servants killed and buried with them to serve them in the afterlife, though this practice gradually declined and was replaced by the symbolic representations like shabti figurines. I bet the pharaoh's servants were happy when that changed! 🤪

And don't forget Peter, Paul, and Mary.

I think Gramps said the bodies showed signed that they'd been shot, and what caused the pile of rubble was the guy who'd shot them. He obviously went to get a stick of dynamite, or maybe he left the other two to guard the bags until he got back, although I doubt he would have trusted them to do that. Maybe he even sent one or both of them to get the dynamite, but after they returned he killed them, and then he dynamited the interior of the cave to protect the treasure, since he could stay there 21/7. He probably planned on returning to get the bags when the heat died down, but something happened to him and he never returned. "Oh did he ever return, no he never returned, and his fate is still unknown". Sorry, I bit of the chorus from the old folk song, "M.T.A."

I have to admit that I've never even considered this before, but it's an interesting suggestion. 😲 I'll have to mull it over for a while.

Yes, they found something - just not what they were expecting, but it may turn out better for them. And they did come up with an animal that Devin could transition into so he wasn't left out, which probably pleased the others as much as it did Devin. You'll have to wait until next week's chapter to see if there's anything else in the cave.

Thanks, Danilo. Yes, the treasure hunt did start out slowly, because they had to find a way through the rubble first, but it seems to be worth it. And that was a great thought about the belt buckles - they could be valuable as well.

Yes, the found treasure, just not the one they were expecting. They were chasing what they thought might be Mayan gold, but it seems that might have found money that was being moved out of the Confederate treasury. Whether there's anything else, you'll have to wait until next week's chapter to find out.

Epicurean “fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures” derives via Middle English from Latin Epicūrēus “of Epicurus.” Epicurus (in the original Ancient Greek, Epíkouros) was a philosopher of Athenian origin (340-270 B.C.E.) who flourished in the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BC, and his school of thought. Epicurus taught that pleasure is the highest good and that virtue is the greatest pleasure. In other words, you're encouraged to eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you many die. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) cites evidence of "epicurean" being used in English around 1400, or sometime in the Middle English period (1150-1500).

Thanks, Johnny, and it will take a while to cash in on the treasure they've recovered. Fortunately, Gramps and Pops operate a professional coin dealership, so it will be slightly easier than if others had found the treaasure, because they know what can trigger unwanted attention. We'll see how they do it and how it works out.

Yes, treasure hunting can be tedious, and if you don't believe me, ask the brothers Marty and Rick Lagina from "The Curse of Oak Island" or ask Mel Fisher who is renowned for finding the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, a Spanish galleon, and its riches in 1985, or Kip Wagner and William Bartlett who made significant discoveries from the 1715 Treasure Fleet. The idea of the belt buckles is interesting and I may have to explore that. Thank you for mentioning it.

Chapter 60 – Exploring the Cave The next morning, we prepared to go to the cave, but then Gramps pointed out that we’d have to get some supplies out of the trailer first. After he unlocked it, he started handing out the various items we’d need to take with us. “I’m confused,” I said. “Didn’t you tell us last year when we were here that you’d have to get some ATVs so we could bring the tools to the cave to see if there was any treasure there?” “I did, and that was still my pl

When I was in high school, a friends father, who was very Irish, used an authentic shillelagh as a walking stick and you never saw him without it. He would even attend his kids sporting events with it, parent-teacher conferences, go shopping or do his banking, and even used it when he went to work, but would have to lean it against a wall or in the corner while he was working.

The word "shillelagh" likely originates from the Irish phrase "sail éille" meaning "thonged willow" or "cudgel of a thong" and the name of the village of Shillelagh in County Wicklow, Ireland. The shillelagh is a stout, knobbly stick, traditionally made from blackthorn wood, used as a walking stick, weapon, and symbol of Irish culture. Shillelagh was first recorded in English in the 1670s. Despite its simple appearance as a curved or knobbly cane, the shillelagh is a centerpiece of an Irish variety of martial arts.

The word "apocryphal," meaning of doubtful authenticity or fictional, cines from the Greek word "apokryptein" meaning "to hide away" or "to conceal", via the Latin "apocryphus", which meant "secret" or "not approved for public reading". The earliest known use of the word "apocryphal" in English, meaning "of doubtful authenticity," is recorded in 1590, in a text by Henry Barrow and John Greenwood. Examples of apocryphal in a sentence: "He never quoted from the apocryphal books on a single occasion." "Rose refers to the apocryphal book, Wisdom of Solomon, as ‘scripture’." "For example, what is the position of the apocryphal writings?" "Some are even considered heretical, much like apocryphal books of the Bible." "Out of the many remarks were attributed to him, most of them probably apocryphal" "Have you read the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas" "Many baseball reporters claim the story is apocryphal, but others insist on its verity." "Other stories that sound apocryphal are unfortunately true."

Erin go braugh! I can't wait to see all of you Irishmen wearing green tomorrow. Just don't drink too much green beer - and that goes for Steve and Brad as well.

"Addle comes from the Middle English "adel and the Old English "adela, meaning "liquid filth". Of Germanic origin. adel, meaning "mire, puddle". An addled egg is a rotten egg. An addled mind is a muddled or confused mind. "Addle-pated, "addle-brained and "addle-headed all mean dim-witted. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) provides evidence of "addled" being used in 1599, in the writings of R. Roche. Examples of addled in sentences: "His brain was addled by the sudden news, and he couldn't remember what he was supposed to do." "The old man's addled mind made it hard to understand his rambling stories." "After the long journey, my addled mind struggled to process the new information." "The heat had addled her brain, and she couldn't remember where she was going." "She was so addled by the drugs that she couldn't remember what had happened."

It's nice to see that you've been paying attention.

Now they do!