Bill W

But flies have legs too.

I've been sitting here in shock and unable to express the great loss that I feel. Comsie and I both started writing at about the same time,, although I had to take lengthy breaks due to family issues and my health. We were both star ted by sharing our stories on Nifty back then, and we even moved to GA at about the same time, but I never expected him to go before me. All I can offer at this time is my heart felt condolences to his family and friends. You will be greatly missed, my friend, and I know you'll continue sharing your wonderful stories in the great beyond.

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Proboscis comes from the Greek: pro (before) and boskein (feed) to become proboskis (means of obtaining food. If you should ever one day get on Jeopardy! you should know that a proboscis is not a true nose, but part of the mouth.

For those that don't know this part of history, some of the raiders were quickly captured and executed (by hanging) as spies, including Andrews, who was a civilian and whom the raid was named after. Eight of the raiders managed to escape, and although the 1862 raid was exciting, it had little effect on the war. The General survived and is now in a museum at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Kennesaw, Georgia. Another train, The Texas, was chasing the General and trying to stop it, and although The Texas never caught up to it, The General ran out of fuel 18 miles short of its destination, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Texas is now located in the Atlanta History Center. This same raid was also the inspiration for the 1956 film, The Great Locomotive Chase, a Disney production.

You should probably add an 8-track tape player to that list.

I'm glad that you pointed this out, drs.

But did Aragog try or want to eat YOU?

But at least the students could afford the paperbacks and it got them reading!

I remember in school when Scholastic books would have a two-page listing handed out to students each month that listed paperbacks (with a picture of the cover) to entice us to purchase their product.

Although I'd heard this word used before, I always thought it was a little weird, so I decided to check out its etymology, and here's what I found: It was first used in 1362 by the poet William Langland. It might have originated from combining two Latin words: 'orior' (to rise) and 'origo' (beginning, source, birth, origin). That was picked up in the Old French words: 'origne', 'orine', and 'ourine'. It was then found in the Middle English 'origine' and 'origyne'. I'm not sure how Langland translated that into 'glop', but the word now refers to a thick semifluid substance (such as food) that is generally unattractive in appearance.

Actually, I'd never heard of this word before, so I decided to trace its etymology. Here's what I found: Mawkish comes from the Old Norse work 'mathkr'. That word later evolved into 'mawk' (of Germanic origin) and , meaning 'maggot'. It came into use in the mid-16th century meaning "inclined to sickness or nauseated". It then evolved to mean "something so sentimental that it makes you sick".

Not only are paperboys nearly extinct, but so are most newspapers as well. People get most of their news on cable, local TV, or online.

I'm glad you approve.

Are you talking about Pops or all of their wives? I'm sure that once the boys are settled in their future jobs they will decide to bring a yungin or two into the picture, but it's not something we'll get to see in the near future, and hopefully I'll live long enough to write it. If not, maybe someone brave enough the job will do it for me. 🙏

Bullying cut through all levels of the social-economic scale, although it may be a little rougher for those on the lower end of the scale. I'm glad you had a older brother there to help protect you and lighten the load for you to bear. Thank you for the feedback and for sharing that little tidbit of you life.

Thanks, Chris, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you for the wonderful feedback, and it's true. The big family holidays we used to celebrate, even when my kids were younger, got much harder once they grew up. Then we became spread apart, with some of us living in the northeast, southeast, and far west. If you noticed, the grand parents weren't there, either due to health or distance, although the boys and their parents were there.. And once the boys graduate from college and get jobs, there's a good chance they won't be able to have those celebrations any longer, at least until their sons are grown and they're forced to move to the cabin, where they'll be near both sets of parents again.

Ok, I went in and edited the chapter so that part should explain things better - at least I hope it does. Check it out if you get time and let me know what you think. Thank you.

Actually, Devin hasn't actually passed the maximum end of the range for a growth spurt, which is usually considered to be 18-20, but it doesn't preclude it happening later. I went to school with a boy who was always the smallest boy in the class, and even a graduation he was shorter than most of the girls as well. I ran into him two or three years later and didn't recognize him, because he was 6' 2" (188 cm). And remember that Devin's size doesn't completely rely on what we would face, because as a skinwalker he can make himself taller or shorter at a whim. Yes, it's never good to be bullied, but his family used it teach him to fight back, a skill they felt he'd need if he transit ioned into an animal in the wild.

Al, I think I also comment in previous chapters how Mac explained that when he and Devin were younger, Devin would always stick up for him and even do the fighting when Mac was bullied. I think Devin was learning it wasn't the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog - or person.

Transitioning into a Ninja wouldn't automatically supply him with the skills the Ninja had acquired after years of practice. It's different with animals, because he only acquires instinctive behavior, not learned behavior. That would be acquired over time. Yes, with some couples it is common to alternate invitations to dinner, but not with every person you have over for a meal. Eventually, however, you'd probably stop inviting those people over, unless you were merely doing it as a good Samaritan.

I apologize if it didn't come through in the chapter, but I've been dealing with some medical issues and sometimes my brain is a little foggy, due to the medications I'm taking.

Yes, a very relaxed holiday and Devin is getting the present he always wanted, to be able to grow a few more inches until he's the same height as his dad, Gramps, and Pops, and only an inch shorter than Mac. Probably the best Christmas present he could have received.

I believe his dad, Gramps, and Pops were trying to teach him to stand up for himself, despite his size. It's a trait he would need when transitioning into some animals in the wild, and he wouldn't last long unless he learned not to let his size prevent him from standing up for himself. It also kept Devin from appearing a threat to any of his peers, that way they would never suspect him if he had to occasionally transition into his larger alter ego.