[Report This]Date: Mar 03, 2025 3:16 pm Title: Chapter 8: Things I learned on Vacation
Being in the desert in the midst of winter, sounds very heavenly. MN has had some winters which got down to 60 below with the wind chill.
I'm glad that Brian and Justin realized there were things they needed to work on. Their relationship was at a stalemate, and instead of just letting it fester, they took the preventive measures to save their rtelationship.
Well, it looks like our boys don't have to invest in Timeshare. They're already going back. ;)
Hugs ~Cathy
Author's Response:
Cathy:
Yep, they are going back and maybe the next story will be about them returning. That thought just occured to me. Might be interesting to explore.
[Report This]Date: Mar 03, 2025 11:44 am Title: Chapter 7- A Trip to Remember
So sorry for just getting to read this now. Anyway, I see what's important for their trip, by what the first item on their list was. ;)
Brian must have forgotten he was supposed to shower in the morning with Justin, only for both of them to shower alone. A missed opportunity. :D
As much as they loved their surroundings and the place they are staying, I wouldn't be surprised if Brian checked out the possibility of Timeshare. :D
Well, I noticed the next chapter is the last one. I hope you have another story in the making.
Hugs ~Cathy
Author's Response:
Cathy:
No worries. It took me a week to respond to your comment. Getting away is always important. It allows people to get out of the daily grind. A time share might be something that Brian investigates. Another story- well, it took a while to come up with this one, so if you have any ideas that you would like explored, feel free to send me a note with the ideas. Always looking for things to spark my creativity.
Sandy
[Report This]Date: Feb 23, 2025 5:08 pm Title: Chapter 7- A Trip to Remember
Hey Sandy!
I'm enjoying this very much. I can identify with Justin, and the lack of art at the moment. I've been there, and recovering from any kind of burnout is one of the hardest things to do for a creative. Add in real life issues and it's no wonder he wanted to drink... Just to feel something, ANYTHING other than the despair of not being able to create is considered welcome. Like I said, I've been there and am in danger of being there again if I'm not careful. So, Brian and Justin taking this trip is more than necessary for Justin. It's vital to his well-being physically, emotionally and spiritually; I'm glad Brian sees that. And honestly, I really love how you have written this arc in their lives.
My parents would have been married 50 years had my dad still been with us, and I remember how necessary it was for them to go away together every 10 years for a two-week vacation, leaving all of us behind for a time. Now that I'm older, I understand that it was their time to reflect, to reconnect, and recalibrate their groove forward. To see their way forward beyond their kids, grandchildren, illnesses and responsibilities. It's so important for couples of long-standing to do that. So, thank you for taking this track.
Happy Writing and HUGS,
Nichelle
Author's Response:
Nichelle:
Thank you for your lovely comments. Everyone needs to have time away from their every day lives and the often daily grind. VAcation allows people to reconnect and to appreciate their partners. I've been blessed to be married to my husband for over 40 years and we always look forward to time away.
Sandy
[Report This]Date: Feb 18, 2025 1:40 pm Title: Chapter 6-0 Run, Run, Run and Collapse
Real pine trees definitely smell much better than having pine spray and candles burning.
I'm with Brian - all that running around (You aptly titled your chapter well) would have me exhausted and I wouldn't find anything pleasant. (However, I'm much older.)
I do like your more mature Brian, which you don't often see in a lot of stories, and it's always a positive when Brian commits to a real relationship.
Before I moved down south, in MN, if we drove three different directions from my town, within an hour drive, we were on the reservations. So we had many opportunites to view Native American artifacts and things. Some of us even drove to some of their Powwow's. My youngest daughter had one of the old tribal men teach her how to make Indian Bread. (Ooh, my mouth just water. Her best friend was Indigenous.
Interesting chapter.
Hugs ~Cathy
Author's Response:
Cathy:
Thank yoiu for your thoughtful comments. I'm pleased my descriptions are true to life. I like a mature Brian and Justin. I want to see them in the future as they evolve.
[Report This]Date: Feb 13, 2025 5:32 pm Title: Chapter 5- Future Plans
I'm glad our boys are getting back on track. It's scary to think they were failing in the whole bed thing. Not too long ago, someone asked me for a story called "Bad Sex." It's almost comical for Brian to think that.
I hope their vacation helps them recover something that's been missing. Granted, Justin's an artist, but he needs to make sure he doesn't let it control most of his time, while on vacation. Maybe if he has a good camera, he can take photos to use when he gets home.
Finally, all caught up. I'm really enjoying this story.
<3 Cathy
Author's Response:
Cathy:
I'm happy you are caught up and still enjoying the story. I like to write stories about real life. While I've not had anyone in my sphere experience alsoholism or drug abuse I do believe couples who are together for a long time have to make an effort to connect, especially once their children are grown. ( I have experienced this as my children are in their 30's). As always, it means so much that you took the time to write some very thought out comments on the story.
Sandy
[Report This]Date: Feb 10, 2025 11:09 am Title: Chapter 4- Confessions
I’m happy I was able to read this. We’ve had bad storms, and I’ve had no internet. On top of that, after they got it working, we found out that 6 of us had fried modems. Do you realize how spoiled we are today? UGH!
Well, I hope Brian and Justin continue with a positive outlook. They both sound like they want things to work. Justin, a little more forcible than Brian.
It will be interesting to see if Brian calls his sponsor and shares with him the problems they have been going through.
I’m kind of surprised that Justin hasn’t attended an AA meeting since his lapse in judgment, and almost slipped.
I’m interested in knowing if this is a subject close to you, or have you done major research? à You don’t really have to answer that. It’s a subject very near my heart. Although not for many years. But once you have the teachings, you don’t ever forget about them.
I’m really enjoying this story. Thanks for writing and sharing it with us.
Hugs ~Cathy
Author's Response:
Cathy:
Thank you for your comments. They mean the world to me. No, I do not have personal experiece with this subject but I am a trained counselor and have learned a lot about it through various trainings that I have attended through the years. Justin should have headed straight to an AA meeting but he didn't. He did call his sponsor and for now, he thinks it is enough. time will tell.
Date: Feb 02, 2025 5:52 pm Title: Chapter 3- Discussion
Thank you. i fixed the errors. I'm glad that are reading again.
Date: Feb 02, 2025 5:52 pm Title: Chapter 3- Discussion
Thank you. i fixed the errors. I'm glad that are reading again.
[Report This]Date: Feb 02, 2025 7:32 am Title: Chapter 3- Discussion
Well, at least they talked and got out some of their frustrations going in their life. Hopefully, this will lead to more talks. Sex should help too ;)
I realized today I haven't read part 1 or 2 completely. So I'm going to have to go back and start reading them. That's good, since I haven't been in a reading mood since that dreadful Covid.
You might want to go through the middle area of this chapter. There are 3 missing quotation marks.
Thanks for the new story. I'm happy when someone still has the energy to do this.
Hugs ~Cathy
[Report This]Date: Jan 30, 2025 10:53 am Title: Chapter 2- Realization
That's very scary that the thought went through Justin's mind, just like it's a noirmal thing. This goes to show he needs to get things back on track with Brian. Left to his own vices, he could easily slip. Because if nothing gets settles, it will be easy to revert back.
Still no hint what's at Brian's core. Since they are both on their way home, hopefully they can talk and figure out what's interferring in their psyche.
Hugs ~Cathy
Author's Response:
Cathy:
Very scary indeed. Justin is concerned about his thought to drink. Hopefully he can figure it out.
[Report This]Date: Jan 29, 2025 2:56 am Title: Chapter 1- Restlessness
Very good start to this story. You used some really nice adjectives, which enhanced the reading.
Justin seems to be missing Gus an awful lot, whereas Brian, nothing was pointed out about hiim. I saw the lack of characters, so it looks like Ted and Cynthia will have to figure Brian out. However, Cynthia has already been tipped off.
Not sure what our boys need, but they need to start talking. Oh, I know...
Dun-dun-dun-dun... Is it Gay Death Bed? They say that happens more than a person realizes. :D
Thanks for the new story.
Hugs ~Cathy
P.S. ~ I see you got your banner up. Sunday night I emailed Tag letting her know about the problem.
Author's Response:
Thank you for the comments. I've been writing for many years and always strive to improve. I'm pleased to see you found the story worth reading. Gay Death Bed- good term, but I think it could be found in any long term relationship. Brian was never interested in a relationship so even though they've been together for a long time, it is still something he doesn't know what to do with. thanks again for reading and commenting. It means a lot.
Date: Jan 18, 2025 8:35 am Title: Chapter 2- Realization
Great so far. Looking forward to you getting them back on track.
Liz
Author's Response:
Thank you for your comments. Let's hope Brian and Justin figure things out soon.