I’m digging up some older photos today. You see, I haven’t
been out of camp for a week and we don’t use cameras in-camp. And you really
don’t want to see anyway.
I saw this old warehouse by the railroad in Oakdale,
WA. I was immediately (don’t ask me why) reminded of the collapse of a
warehouse in Bardstown, KY that cost 5,000 barrels of bourbon. Like I said, Don’t
ask me why.
I have been productive, however. Just not with things you
will ever see. I have a lot of fans at StoriesOnline that I’ve been neglecting.
So I have a new story that I’m working on that will start posting there on June
17 called Drawing on the Dark Side of the Brain. It is a Devon Layne story,
which means it contains graphic sex scenes. You aren’t interested.
54woodsmith 7/8/2018
3:51:14 PM
If I could vote higher than 10, I would have.
How can you not feel for Gee...love him...as he works through the
trials and tribulations set before him? How can you not feel for The
Forest...love it...as it struggles to survive and gather to it those who wish
to love and protect it? Was it not bittersweet to learn the Grandfather Tree
must fall? Did you shout-out "Boo!" at the villains?
...tis a sad reflection on us as a race that heroes need wear
their tights on the outside, and villains are revered. Oh...for the simple
days...those such as the ones we have just visited. Two thumbs up to the
brilliant talent that gave us this wonderfully brief pause from our harsh existence!
Palomino 6/28/2018
2:39:42 AM
Whoever voted less than a nine needs to have his head
reevaluated. Those who don't like the genre or style of story telling should
have the backbone to abstain from voting.
Yes, it has not a lot of sex in it. But that shouldn't be the
main factor for voting anyway because there are just so many ways to describe
the tab A, slot B thing. And we have plenty of that on this web site.
Yes, there are some - wide and far! - spelling issues. But that
shouldn't distract from the talent, effort and energy put into the story by the
author and the editors.
What I wanted to say with those many words was I was blown away
by this story.
De11al
Sadly, this excellent story ended. But they all have to, someday.
... What is there to look forward to on SOL from now on?
This ending is like in so many modern TV series / movies. Offers
some kind of closing as well as lots of loose ends to support another book /
season / movie sequel - if producers choose to make another one. Speaking for
myself, I would love to read one. Even as this ending seems a bit long on
pathos and short on satisfaction. Compared to many outstanding earlier parts it
pales a bit. Still, the whole story was fun and insightful to read.
Thank You for sharing this masterpiece with us. Do enjoy a happy
summer 2018 - and hopefully gift us again here on SOL. All the best.
Robin 7/5/2018
12:00:21 PM
How refreshing to find a story worthy of hardback publication.
Bravo on a wonderfully intriguing plot.
It gets my vote as one of the best efforts on this site.
Regards,
Robin
So, despite lackluster sales, I am satisfied. I know who my real
audience is and that they cannot or will not make a purchase, doesn’t make me
unhappy. They are still willing to read. As a result, I’m starting
serialization of For Money or Mayhem
on SOL on June 13. I don’t write for a living, I write to live.
I’ll be signing books and
talking to folks about City Limits and other writing at the Patio Party at Sun
Meadow Resort on Saturday 7/14 during the Skin to the Wind Festival. Stop by
and enjoy the air!
That brings me to another subject I’ve been struggling with. Who
deserves what? I could become rather pissy about people reading my great
literary achievements without paying for the privilege. Who do they think they
are?
That was brought home in a very real way this week as some good
friends were discussing a ‘freeloader’ in the park. We have a patio party each
Saturday afternoon and a potluck dinner each Sunday evening. In fact, I’ll be
signing books at the patio party next Saturday and will have a drawing for a
give-away. At these two events, people bring appetizers or dishes to share and
we gather to talk, meet new people, and socialize.
Well, one guy takes advantage of the situation. He never brings
anything to either event, but he is always first in line to fill a plate that
will suffice as his dinner. My friends have become increasingly upset about
this. He never contributes, so he doesn’t deserve to share.
My philosophy is somewhat different. I don’t know this guy’s
circumstances. For all I know these might be the only real meals he gets each
week. I’m in no position to judge whether or not he deserves a share—certainly not
based on whether he contributes.
I bring what I’m able to share with others. That’s my action.
Most weeks, it is less than the value of what I consume. So, I suppose I am
also unworthy to partake. My friends argue that I contribute, therefore it’s
different. I don’t think so.
Once I make my contribution, my responsibility is over. I cannot
say that because a person does not contribute or contributes less that he doesn’t
deserve to partake. What then? Do I determine that the person with different
political values than mine doesn’t deserve to share my food? Do I say that
because of your skin color or your religion you don’t deserve to share my food?
Because you are fat, smell, have an irritating voice, don’t play pickleball? MY place is to contribute what I can. It
is not to determine who should benefit from my contributions. I am not the
judge.
And neither are you.
Still, I find that to be the prevailing sentiment in the country.
If a working employee has to be drug-tested in order to have a job and get his
paycheck, then a person on welfare doesn’t deserve to receive benefits unless
he’s been drug-tested, too. Immigrants don’t deserve housing and care before veterans
get them. Refugees don’t deserve our shelter and protection.
I don’t care whether they deserve or don’t. My responsibility is to provide what I can.
If you are Christian, as I once was, perhaps you will recall this
Bible verse.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on
the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45.
If God does not discriminate regarding who receives His
blessings, why would those who profess to follow Him?
Me? I’m just responsible for my actions and doing what I can do.
I try to make the world a better place. I’m not here to judge someone else.
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