Bill W

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 "Max wanted his hair cut into a modish mohawk instead of the outdated style his dad always made him get." "Grandmother knows nothing about fashion trends, so she thinks I should replace my modish skirts with outdated clothes from her day."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!

Awesome gay Christmas story, and I'm glad that it worked out for Mike and Danny.

Great backstory for both of them and I love how they have a past connection. It seems they're both going to have a little fun on Christmas Eve, I just hope it works out into a longer relationship.

I know I'm slow and just getting around to Christmas stories in May, but I'm hooked. Great start, Chris, and I can't wait to read more.

The word "sappy" originates from Middle English where it meant "full of sap," referring to plants or wood. This meaning evolved to include a figurative sense of being overly sentimental or foolishly soft. The "sappy" adjective, meaning "foolish" or "overly sentimental," likely developed from the word's connection to the liquid sap of a plant, possibly influenced by the idea of sap being "too wet, sodden, or soggy". The earliest known use of the word "sappy" in English dates back to the 12th century. In its initial usage, "sappy" meant "full of sap" or "juicy," referring to the state of a plant or tree. By the 1550s the word could also mean "full of vitality". By the 1660s the figurative meaning of "foolishly sentimental" emerges, likely influenced by the idea of sap being sticky and wet. Examples of using sappy in a sentence: "She gets all sappy when she is around babies." "At the risk of sounding sappy, let's root for the trees!" "Good Men way back when, right down to the sappy music cues." "Add a cute and mildly sappy note, and your work is done." "It's really a wonderful song, even if it is a little sappy." "Heaps of love, sweetheart, I feel awfully sappy to-day - it makes a big lump come in my throat." "I suppose Flossie and Bill will have come back by now, feeling very sappy." "On " Separate Lives, " they turned a sappy song into a showcase for their astonishing vocals."

Yes, the same thing happens to me on my stories, and that's why I keep a NOTES file for each one over more than two chapters. I mean, you know how long some of my stories can get. 😲 😁 😜

I binge read because of my age. That way I don't forget as much. 🤪

The word "spartan" originates from the ancient Greek city state of Sparta, known for its militaristic society and austere lifestyle. The term refers to the citizens of Sparta, sometimes called Spartiates or Lacedaemonians. The word "spartan" in English eventually came to describe a lifestyle characterized by frugality, courage, and simplicity, qualities associated with the Spartans. The earliest known use of the word "Spartan" in English dates back to the 15th century, specifically around 1425. Andrew of Wyntoun, a historian and prior of St Serf's, Lochleven, is credited with the first documented usage, according to the O.E.D. The word was borrowed from Latin. Examples of Spartan used in a sentence: "To be Spartan meant to be tough." "How can you claim to be Spartan if you can't keep up?" "A man in Spartan uniform stepped from the trees." "The bed, spartan nightstand, and two chairs seemed enough." :The Spartan patriciate could afford to disfranchise some of its own members." "They were seated two tables away from Dean and appeared to be celebrating something unusual in an otherwise Spartan life." "Plato advocated them, and perhaps the later Jews imitated the Spartan community."