Cole Parker

Donny doesn't seem to be the brightest or most vocal of our hero's friends. Perhaps whatever the ritual was, it embarrassed him. I like to think that that's the case; it sets my imagination free.

This is the best news ever! Thanks, John, and Mike, welcome back! You scared the shit out of us! So happy to hear you're in recovery mode. C

Such a great compendium of stories!

He's such a wonderful writer. You get enchanted by his characters and settings. I'm looking forward to this, too, and I'm delighted to see it here.

So you never go commando. I guess it's so you won't put Mrs. S out of business.

Any updates, John? Is he still in the hospital? Is he communicating yet? C

Such terrible news! Mike hasn't had the best of luck the past few years, and this is just one more thing poured on top. He's so valuable to all of us, deserves better, and I'm sure everyone wishes for him to have a complete, rapid, painless recovery. Good luck, Mike, and come back when you can. You'll be missed. C

Thanks, Camy. After all, you chaps invented the game. C

Many years ago I happened to be in Buffalo and went to the place where Buffalo wings were first created. I ordered them, the first I'd ever had. They were good, but the build-up to them was much greater than the actual food. I have a feeling I'd like your recipe more, Jason! C

Very good! You got it! C

And they serve wings!

Thanks, Steve. Much appreciated. That's not a bad idea, letting Freddy's backstory evolve. I'm sort of burned out writing at the moment, but that will probably pass. That's certainly something to think about. As to where the college is located, your analysis may have come up just a bit short: Colleges Located in or around State Capitals State Capital Colleges Alabama Montgomery Alabama State University, Amridge U, Auburn U- Montgomery, Faulkner U, Huntingdon Coll, Troy U- Montgomery Alaska Juneau University of Alaska-Southeast Arizona Phoenix ASU - Phoenix Campus, Grand Canyon U Arkansas Little Rock Arkansas Baptist Coll, Philander Smith Coll, U of Arkansas- Little Rock, U of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College California Sacramento Cal State U- Sacramento, UC-Davis Colorado Denver University of Denver, University of Colorado-Denver, Regis U, Johnson & Wales U, Colorado Heights U, Art Inst of Colorado Connecticut Hartford St. Joseph College, University of Hartford, Trinity College Delaware Dover Delaware State U, Wesley College Florida Tallahassee Florida A&M U, Florida State U Georgia Atlanta American Intercontinental U, Art Institute of Atlanta, Beulah Heights U, Clark Atlanta U, Emory, Georgia Tech, Georgia St. U, Morehouse Coll, Morris Brown Coll, Oglethorpe U, Spellman Coll Hawaii Honolulu Chaminade U, Hawaii Pacific University, University of Hawaii-Manoa Idaho Boise Boise State U, College of Idaho Illinois Springfield University of IL- Springfield, St. John's College of Nursing Indiana Indianapolis Butler U, IUPUI, Marian U, Martin U, U of Indianapolis Iowa Des Moines Drake U, Grand View U Kansas Topeka Washburn U Kentucky Frankfort Kentucky St. U, Georgetown College Louisiana Baton Rouge LSU- Baton Rouge, Southern U and A&M College Maine Augusta University of Maine- Augusta Maryland Annapolis St. John's College, US Naval Academy Maryland DC American U, Catholic U, George Washington U, Georgetown, Howard U, Trinity Washington U, U of the Potomac Massachusetts Boston Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory, Boston U, Emerson College, Emmanual College, Fisher College, Mass College of Art & Design, Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, New England Conservatory of Music, Northeastern U, Simmons College, Suffolk College, UMass-Boston, Wentworth Inst of Tech, Wheelock Coll Michigan Lansing Michigan State University (East Lansing) Minnesota Saint Paul Bethel U, Concordia U- St. Paul, Hamline U, Macalester Coll, St. Catherine U, U of St. Thomas Mississippi Jackson Belhaven Coll, Jackson St. U, Milsaps College, Univ of Mississippi Medical Center Missouri Jefferson City Lincoln U Montana Helena Carroll College Nebraska Lincoln University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Union College, Nebraska Wesleyan U Nevada Carson City Sierra Nevada College New Hampshire Concord Granite State College New Jersey Trenton Thomas Edison St. University, Rider University, College of New Jersey New Mexico Santa Fe St. John's College, Santa Fe U of Art & Design New York Albany SUNY-Albany, Excelsior College, The Coll of St. Rose, Albany College of Pharmacy North Carolina Raleigh UNC Chapel Hill, Duke U, North Carolina Central U North Dakota Bismarck University of Mary Ohio Columbus Ohio State U, Ohio Domincan U, Franklin U, Columbus Coll of Art & Design, Capital U Oklahoma Oklahoma City Randall U, Mid-American Christian U, Oklahoma Christian U, Oklahoma City U Oregon Salem Willamette U, Corban U Pennsylvania Harrisburg Penn State - Harrisburg, Central Penn College, Dickinson College Rhode Island Providence Brown U, Johnson & Wales, Providence Coll, Rhode Island Coll, Rhode Island School of Design South Carolina Columbia University of South Carolina, Columbia College, Benedict Coll, Allen U South Dakota Pierre n/a Tennessee Nashville Vanderbilt, Tennessee State U, Lipscomb U, Fisk U, Belmont U, Aquinas Coll, American Baptist Coll Texas Austin UT-Austin, St. Edward's U, Concordia U, Southwestern U Utah Salt Lake City U of Utah, Westminster Coll Vermont Montpelier Norwich U Virginia Richmond University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth U, Virginia Union U, Randolph-Macon Coll Washington Olympia Evergreen State College West Virginia Charleston U of Charleston, West Virginia St U, West Virginia, U of Inst of Tech Wisconsin Madison University of Wisconsin- Madison, Edgewood College Wyoming Cheyenne n/a How many of these have golf teams? I have no idea.

I'm delighted for you, Jason. It's always seemed like you were leading a rather frantic, fragmented life, and how you've found some solidity. Good for you! Sure hope this works out. With great recipes, it should. It really should. Keep us posted! C

Thanks, Oliver. I hope they get on, too. (I'm fairly confident they will!) C

Thanks, James. What kind sentiments. I appreciate that! c

Thanks!

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so he's got great footwork. What I want to know is what was on that card he showed the cops! C

Hear, hear! And for those wondering: The correct term is, “hear, hear!” It is an abbreviation for “hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!” This NY Times article cites a SpellWeb.com statistic: On the Web, “here here” outpolls the correct “hear hear” 153,000 to 42,000. (Probably all Trump voters.)

New story coming up soon. This is somewhat of a departure for me, but all those who've previewed it have had good things to say, so it may be worth a peek. C

Updates happen eventually. Have before, will again. But thanks for mentioning it. Makes us feel appreciated! I know Alan is working on new stuff, and I'll have another out shortly. Then to be added to the story lists when there's time to do that. C

I was watching the game when it happened. The kid on the mound was breaking up, very emotional. For the kid that was hit to go out to console him was the kind of gesture you sometimes see in sports, but not all that often. Very heartwarming.

Great start, Nigel. Waiting for the next one. Figure we'll know no more about Thomas.

I too read these and wonder at the spreadsheets he must need to either keep track of who's done what with who or to plan ahead. The details and crossovers are delicious, and he manages to keep track of them! I have trouble remembering what happened in the last chapter I wrote. C

I like the beginning to have some snap to it to draw the reader in. If I read a page or two and am not entranced, I generally go do something else. Pulling weeds, washing the car, teasing the dog, that sort of thing. I think a captivating beginning is important.

I loved the ending. If you can get the beginning and end right, much of the rest just happens.