Bill W

Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying this.

The word ignoramus comes right from the Latin word ignoramus, literally "we do not know," from the Latin root ignorare. Ignoramus was a legal term in the 16th century that could be used during a trial when the prosecution presented insufficient evidence. After George Ruggle's 1615 play "Ignoramus", a satirical comedy exposing lawyers' ignorance, it came into popular use to mean "fool" or "dunce." The word "ignoramus" was first used in English in the late 1500s, specifically in 1583, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). The word "ignoramus" appeared as a noun in the writings of Sir T. Smith in his 1583 work, De Republica Anglorum. Examples of "ignoramus" used in a sentence: "I'm a complete ignoramus where computers are concerned." "The reporter proved he was an ignoramus when he gave out false information during the broadcast." "Everyone knows the company president’s son is an ignoramus who will probably destroy the business once his father retires." "When our tour guide turned out to be an ignoramus who knew nothing about the city, we asked the company for a refund." "While Alan fancies himself a wine connoisseur, he is actually an ignoramus who cannot tell a chardonnay from a zinfandel."

Yes, their vacation is over and now back to CSU for their final year. Clint has found himself two big brothers, and I don't believe Devin and Michael are too upset about that. Devin was an only child and had used Michael as a brother, but then they moved away and he was lonely again. Michael had both a brother and sister, but they both died, and of course he has Devin now, but I feel he's ok with a little brother now.

Yes, Clint is growing on the boys and he's basically a good kid, just a little clingy. You know, it's possible the evil skinwalker might be in those photos that were taken while they were rafting, but maybe not right out in front where it would be obvious.

Give the kid a break, he's still not over losing his mother. And your phrase, "he is a little bit too sticky" can be taken a couple of different ways. 🤪

I was modish, back in the 70s! 🤪

I'd say that was a good possibility, unless they want to break the poor kid's heart. You know how kids can idolize someone and then have a less than satisfying or rude encounter with that individual and suddenly have their whole world come crashing down around them. I don't think Devin or Michael would like to be responsible for something like that happening, especially after all Clint's been through, but they'll have to be careful.

The word modish is a combination of the French mode meaning "fashion" and the suffix -ish meaning "very common." When something is modish, it's all the rage. A swanky restaurant where it's hard to get a table or a boutique selling the newest designer labels are considered modish, or in vogue. The earliest known use of the word modish is in the mid 1600s. The OED's earliest evidence for modish is from 1652, in the writing of Edward Benlowes, poet. Examples of "modish" in a sentence: "He wore a modish gray suit and hat." "From furs to chic trench coats, this season is all about bundling up with a modish twist." "The modish cafe has bounties of greenery inside and out." "But that modish phrase does not quite capture what is going on." "The contemporary art lover prefers modish pieces over traditional pieces from the past." "Max wanted his hair cut into a modish mohawk instead of the outdated style his dad always made him get." "Grandmother knows nothing about fashion trends, so she thinks I should replace my modish skirts with outdated clothes from her day."

Yes, hopefully Clint will come out at school as well, but he will be at a few football games with Mac and Devin. As far as the evil skinwalker is concerned, I believe it's curious about the boys but doesn't want to tempt finding out how powerful they are, and as I told Lee, it may wonder if Mac's parents are also skinwalkers and doesn't want to be that outnumbered. We can only guess about its motives. 😲

Yes, their vacation is over and the boys will be back on campus. They'll be attending the football games, as usual, but this year Lonny and Clint will be joining them at some of the games. We'll have to wait and see how that goes. The evil skinwalker may only be curious about the boys, but there's also the fact that it maybe be afraid Mac's parents are also skinwalkers and it doesn't want to be that outnumbered, since it already knows Mac and Devin have ability. You can never know what's in the mind of an evil skinwalker!

You might be right about that. Even though the boys might be accepting jobs elsewhere and moving, I think Michael's dad is fond of Lonny, and since he doesn't have any other family, I think he'll be more than welcome at the McPherson's home.

Who knows what might happen. 😜

That's an interesting suggestion, and her name is Louella. We'll see what happens when they come to watch a football game, and there's a good chance they'll run in to Louella while he's there. I think that after Lonny let the boys know that this was the first time that Clint has shown any interest in even talking to anyone other than him since his mom died that the boys are liable to be a little more considerate than that, but we'll see what happens.

Chapter 6 – A Sad Parting As soon as we returned to the motel after the concert, Clint asked his dad a question. “Can I stay with Michael and Devin again?” “Clint, they were nice enough to let you stay with them one night, but I’m sure they’d prefer to be alone tonight.” Undaunted, Clint turned to me. “Michael, can I stay with you and Devin again?” Clint pleaded as he flashed me that same puppy dog expression as the night before. I glanced at Devin to get his reaction before

Yes, being a teen and in my twenties was a wonderful period of my life. It wasn't easy lusting after other boys back then, but occasionally I would run across a like minded fellow and we'd spend some time together until life's demands drew us apart. It might have been that his family moved away, or we went to different schools or later to different colleges, or it might have been the end of summer when he was spending time with relatives that lived in the same general area that I did, or ending up in the military. 0h, to have those days over again.

This story follows four individuals over many years, and most of if takes place around a lake where they can feed the black swans and ducks. The first of the main characters is an older retired gentleman named John McMaster, the next is a young gay couple, Eric and Paul, and the last is a young boy named Steve. It is a poignant view about how their actions and choices have varying effects on their lives, some good and some not so good, but it's all part of life. It is also a cautionary tale about how the choices we makes can affect our lives as well.

The word "nurture" comes from the Latin verb "nutrire", meaning "to suckle" or "to nourish" or "to feed". This was adopt by Old French as the word "noureture" meaning "nourishment," and then to Middle English. The noun "nurture" was used in English in the 14th century, around 1300, referring to upbringing, rearing a child, or general education. The verb "nurture" came into the language later, in the15th century, with its initial meaning being "to feed or nourish". The sense of "nurture" meaning "to further the development of" emerged at the end of the 18th century. This meaning is exemplified in Mary Wollstonecraft's 1792 writing, where she used "nurture" to describe how private virtue can foster public spirit. Examples of "nurture" in a sentence: As a Noun: 'Members of the family helped in the nurture of the baby." "We are all what nature and nurture have made us, but which has the greatest impact is still under debate." "In the nurture of children, they are taught in both religious traditions." "But the Jews had established places where worship and spiritual nurture could take place." As a Verb: "Teachers should nurture their students' creativity." "A professor who nurtures any student who shows true interest in history and government is commendable." "The study looks at the ways parents nurture their children." "It is the task of every parent is to nurture his or her children until they reach a certain age."

I'm certainly glad the you like this chapter and that it lit a spark. I hope you didn't get burned too badly. 😜

Plumber Steve (aka @wildone), you mean YouTube couldn't help you complete your project? 😲 And I thought Home Depot was there to help you with any project! 😢 Maybe the employees need retraining. 😠 Best of luck completing your shower installation. Oh, and don't tell me you couldn't use some of those words in your daily conversation: hallucinate, sappy, or even spartan (referring to a friends sparse or simple furniture in his flat or house.)

Welcome back and I hope you enjoy the story, if you're not too distracted by dreamy David. 😜

The word Sibylline has origins in the Greek word Sibulia, meaning "prophetess." That was the picked up by the Latin word Sibillinus, from Sibylla (sibyl). Back in the times of the Greeks and Romans, a sibyl was a female oracle who delivered cryptic prophecies foretelling the future, often inspired by the deities. The adjective sibylline describes such talents or the messages they reveal. That was then picked up by the French (circa 1200) sibile, sibille, then to English, Sibylline in the late 16th century. The earliest recorded use of the word "sibylline" in English is from around 1570-1580, according to both Dictionary.com and the Oxford English Dictionary. OED's earliest evidence for Sibylline is from around 1579–80, in a translation by Thomas North, translator. Sibylline is a borrowing from Latin. Sibylline first used in English: "It took several historians to understand the sibylline meaning of the ancient scroll." "Although the sibylline book was meant to have a secret meaning, the code was cracked long ago." "Sibylline messages were passed between the secret spies." "Cryptic and sibylline, the scientists have not figured out the what the mysterious drawings on the cave wall mean." "Many believe that the sibylline crop circles in the middle of fields are secret messages from aliens." "It's confessional and ruminative, yet also clipped, ‘teacherly’ and sibylline."

If your looking for proof that dogs, or a cat, if you'd prefer, can improve your life, then read this short story and it might convince you. It certainly worked out well for their gay owners!

Chris, an interesting short story, but you had me worried there for a while, when Justin and Frank were in the bathroom together. I'm glad that Frank came to his sense and that Ralph forgave hm. This story was so convincing that I may have to get myself a dog.

Chris has written another feel good Christmas miracle story that you won't want to pass up. You might even be amazed by how it happens, so sit down in a comfy chair and enjoy this short story.

If you're looking for a gay Christmas story, this one should be at the top of your "Christmas wish list." It's an easy, quick, and wonderful read, so enjoy it!