Bill W

Thanks for verifying it for us, Al. That's why it was so difficult for the Japanese to break. First of all, they probably weren't familiar with the Navajo language, and even if they had been, the words they were using didn't directly relate to the words they were using to describe them. It was a very ingenious system and most likely won the war in the Pacific for the Allies.

The Navajo Code Talkers were even better than the German enigma machine, and since Farsi is more closely related to Persian than Arabic and a region of the world that wasn't frequented by the U.S. and their allies. That's why the U.S. had to recruit locals that knew English to serve as their interpreters. Remember, Mac lived a very sheltered life, even more so after Devin moved away. When someone transition into a person or animal, they acquire all of the same attributes that person or animal would normally possess. You will learn more about this once Mac gets to the reservation and starts his training.

I appreciate your kind praise and hope I can continue to live up to it.

Yes, Devin's mother does seem to be the odd person out, except for Isaac and Jacob's wives. However, Devin hasn't finished teaching Mac everything he thinks Mac should know yet, before they head to the reservation.

The biggest problem is that those living on the reservation don't own the land. Even though it's the Navajo reservation, over 90% of the reservation belongs to the U.S. government and is managed by a trust controlled by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Less than 1% of the land is owned by individuals, so in order to build or do most other construction projects it is essential that environmental, archaeological, and other permits be secured first.

Yes, for the most part Native Americans have been left behind when it comes to the things that most of us take for granted. I wonder how much longer it will be before everyone on the reservation also has those things.

Chapter 20 – Time at the Cabin On Monday, I planned to finish my research about the Navajo before Devin arrived, and this time I learned about the Navajo Code Talkers. They’d played a very significant role during World War II and helped to defeat the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean. It seemed the Japanese were unable to interpret the Navajo language, since they had nothing to compare it with, and not only that, but some of the code had been devised specifically for this purpose. Sin

The Popemobile has a type of bubbletop as well.

This is a story about two brothers who tried tried to solve a mystery when they were teens, but were unsuccessful. Years later, the younger brother, who had never given up on the case, discovers some new clues and presents what he learned to his older brother. Together, they now attempt to bring this investigation to a conclusion. In my humble opinion, this story definitely needs another chapter or two to wrap things up and I'm looking forward to reading them at a later date.

This is a story that built it's own universe, complete with its own vocabulary for items and activities that we're very familiar with. However, before we get very far we are accosted by some very brutal and over the top punishments that are described in graphic detail. Thankfully, this does not continue throughout the entire story. Otherwise, this was a tale about a corrupt priest who used his position to carry out his own agenda, and although most of the town went along with it, two young men saw what he was doing and found a way to call him out for it.

An interesting and compelling story that takes place in an alternative universe. Two healers, riding in a horse-drawn cart, are stopped and asked by a man to help his wife, who has been ill for several days. Nearly as soon as this task has been completed, things begin to go terribly awry. What happens and how will it be handled? You'll have to read this story to find out.

Investigative journalists unearth dirt on those who'd hoped the information would never be found.

An interesting and compelling story, and it seems as if Dashel changed the Golden Rule to: Do unto others as they have done unto you. I assume that many in the LGBTQ+ community have had similar thoughts after enduring hateful comments and/or vicious attacks from those who are intent on destroying everyone who is different than them. If that were to happen, this might be a fitting scenario to show what the world might be like if that were to happen. It's a shame that people can't merely accept others for whom they are.

It sounds as if plugola is similar to payola, which was a popular technique used from the 1940s to 1960s in order to get your record played on the radio. You, or an agent, would pay the DJ or the owner of the station a cash amount under the table, and then they would repeatedly play your record, as you waited to see if it would become popular.

The SA built a unique world, beginning with the unusual setting when the story began, but I wonder how the SA came up with the ideas for the twisted and graphic punishments that were being doled out. I was glad to see the punishments were not totally successful and there were happier moments to come, and in the end the perpetrators of the accusations that took a life were dealt with harshly, but appropriately. I enjoyed the world this author constructed, including the original names for items and actions we're all familiar with, and for the character development. It didn't take long for me to revile the antagonists and despise their actions, while at the same time I developed a deep empathy for those who had been wronged. I merely pray this story doesn't fall into the hands and is read by homophobes in positions of authority, because I fear they might be tempted to replicate the punishments at the beginning of the story for their own use against the LGBTQ+ community.

History is full of prodigies and I will try to name a few. Mozart was a musical prodigy and Enrico Fermi was a mathematics and physics prodigy. Pablo Picasso was an artistic prodigy and Blaise Pascal was another mathematical prodigy and invented the first digital calculator. Arthur Rimbaud was a literary (poetic) prodigy and Clara Schumann another musical prodigy and the wife of Robert Schumann the composer. Wernher von Braun was a prodigy in music, physics, and mathematics, and this led him excel in rocketry and became the father of space travel. Srinivasa Ramanujan was another mathematical prodigy and Stevie Wonder was a modern and blind musical prodigy. And finally, Sor Juana Inez de la Crus, born in the mid-1600s in Mexico, was a literary prodigy and one of the most important authors of the Baroque period.

Thanks for pointing that out to us, Dan.

No, I doubt Stormy is sterile, but if they replaced Stormy with Cloud Rider, of course they'd be suspicious if someone there checking up on things. They don't want to get arrested.

How about old Stormy had an illness or condition that made him practically worthless when it came to horseracing, so the stole Cloud Rider, since he and Stormy were identical in appearance and both thoroughbreds, so they could race him and use him for stud fees and make money.

This story reminded me of the stories mentioned during the introduction to the characters. It's an interesting look at two brothers as they try to put the past behind them, while at the same time trying to solve a mystery. This definitely needs another chapter or two to solve the mystery, and I'm looking forward to reading them.

The word swill brings two thoughts to mind. It's what pigs eat, since what they're fed is usually a conglomeration of things humans won't eat all mixed together. It also refers to cheap liquor or bad bear and describes what people do when they drink those items, sort of like pigs.

Tarantulas have eight walking legs and two pedipalps that are used for touching and moving prey.

Thanks for refreshing my memory about the boys telling Mac's parents about his orientation. I'm writing quite a ways ahead of what I'm posting so my editors have time to go over the chapters first, and then I can make changes per their recommendations. I'm also glad you're enjoying the Native American history lesson, because there will be more to come.

Thank you. It's always great to have your vote of confidence. There's a good chance that Mac's parents 'know' about his orientation - even if he hasn't shared that information with them. I'm glad you enjoyed the info about Native Americans, because there will be even more to come.

Thanks, Tony. You know what a history buff I am and I enjoy sharing whatever I can with others. I always do plenty of research as well, to make sure I'm not misleading the readers. I'm glad you approve of both.