Rutabaga

It hit me right between the eyes. That was my reaction before I realized what i had just said. Wow. R

I found some information here: http://criminal.lawyers.com/criminal-law-basics/what-are-arrest-warrants.html I agree that knowing someone in the DA's office was most useful. R

I thought the story was delightful, even though I'm not a cat person. Our four dogs would no doubt be terrified by Snowy. R

I have the same problem. Gage seems like a scoundrel. R

Finally got an opportunity to read this. It's a wonderful story that ticks a lot of my boxes. Well done indeed. R

The only thing I can figure is that it may refer to a situation where somebody inappropriately discerns a risk of being buried alive where any rational person would see no threat. In other words, the sight of a shovel, or of a bag of potting soil, might trigger the reaction. R

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It is quite common in France to refer to Père Noël which means Father Christmas. R

I didn't mean to raise such a fuss. As a musician I just wanted to note that 1 kilohertz is not considered a low frequency in the acoustics world. The lowest note on a piano is 27.5 hertz (or 0.0275 kilohertz). The low E string on an electric bass sounds at 41.2 hertz (or 0.0412 kilohertz). Those would be considered low frequencies. The frequency mentioned in the story misses by almost two orders of magnitude. I just assumed it was a slip of the keyboard. it doesn't really detract from the point of the story. R

Just want to point out that 1 kilohertz is not a low frequency -- it's just below the tone of the C two octaves above middle C on a piano. R

What a delightfully crazy story. http://www.awesomedude.com/graeme/short_stories/when_the_cat.htm R

I wonder whether the coach knew what actually happened with the cafeteria incident. Even if he did, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have said anything. Very nice story. R

I think Cole has a great gift for setting up and then taking readers through situations like the arrival of the armed Mexican bandits in this story. We see similar kinds of scenarios, where a young lad using ingenuity and pluck, must cope with armed peril in stories like "On the High Plains of Wyoming" and "They Came With Guns." What makes these stand out is that the young heroes are not cool, sophisticated James Bond types -- rather, they need to reach deeply inside themselves for all the courage and focus they can manage in order to succeed, and are profoundly affected by the experience. It's a gift to make that kind of story line work. R

I second Nigel's recommendation of this story. I have only now had an opportunity to read it and it is quite a tale. It does leave one wondering whether Peter (the father) will ever get past his troglodyte ways. I do agree that Jenna (the mother) probably has figured Justin out already . . . but is probably too intimidated (or reluctant to cause an explosion) to say anything. R

. . . for the "Next Chapter" buttons on the latest stories. R

It doesn't appear that a thread has been started for this story. It has been a charming journey so far. http://www.awesomedude.com/mark_peters/song-for-guy/index.htm R

I decided this time to wait for the story to be completed before reading it, which is why I haven't commented before. When Ren walked up to meet Mesa I couldn't help thinking of Harry walking to meet Lord Voldemort toward the end of "Deathly Hallows." One tiny loose end -- we never did find out what happened to the bad guy that Ren hit with the hypodermic. Good luck to them trying to get any money back from Turner -- it's probably either spent or well hidden. Anyway, a very engaging story with nonstop surprises. R

First time for me. Hall is clearly an exponent of Prof. Brooks Landon's approach to writing. R

I found the statement remarkably unconvincing and vague. Staying with Windows 7 here. R

This is developing into an engaging story. Just be prepared for a lot of Iowa Writers' Workshop long sentences! http://www.awesomedude.com/nicholas-hall/theres-something-about-a-fielding-boy/index.htm R

Victory -- but at what cost? http://www.awesomedude.com/nigel_gordon/a-question-of-right/a-question-of-right.htm R

And so it comes full circle. R

It appears that there are two threads going at once for this story, so let me say again that this was a fine finish to a fine story. It's hard to imagine the denseness of Mrs. Fintch, however, insisting that a police officer claiming to have urgent police business must get in line behind a bunch of students. R

Congratulations on a fine finish to a fine story. R

If Tony won the Nobel Prize I wonder if his parents would bother to notice. I hate to keep harping on this, but what's the point of having a kid if you're not going to pay any serious attention to that kid's accomplishments? It's not like Tony has brothers and sisters who are competing for attention. Yet as far as Tony's parents are concerned he might as well be a potted plant. I'm just amazed that he isn't more bothered by the lack of attention. R