Cole Parker

Rick's a great writer!

I'm reading this again and it's just as good as the first time through. Good job, Jamie! C

See the lengths I go to not to write sequels.? I write a three-peat instead.

Handpicked was wonderful. Waiting to read the sequel! C

It takes a degree of courage most of us can only imagine to have lived the life you have and come to where you are now. So, so many succumb to the draw of the needle or nose, and somehow you had the strength to overcome that. You've always had a quirky, irreverent sort of ink in your pen which makes it a delight to read what you've written. I hope you don't entirely lose that. You can write serious stuff, mysteries, drama, and still have that voice. The name Carl Hiaasen comes to mind; he writes that way and very successfully. You have to, and still can, I'm sure. A lot of us love your writing. So glad we'll be seeing more at some point. C

THANKS, JASON. I ENJOY YOUR WRITING AS WELL; THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH OF IT!

This seems an appropriate time to announce another AD change in 2023. Rutabaga has taken on the task of improving the appearance of many of my stories, making them happier to the eye and easier for the reader. So far he's done a marvelous job with about 20 of my stories, many of them the older ones on my ledger. His work continues. My appreciation is over the top. C

Nothing gained if nothing tried! Go for it!

No problem at all. C

James: is this the one you're asking about? https://awesomedude.com/cole-parker/mr-patterson-and-the-aide/mr-patterson-and-the-aide.htm C

Thanks, Camy. As you can imagine, I have quite a few favorites, and this one has to be in my top five. I think I have about ten more in my top five as well. C

Got to be better than 2022. Got to be.

NEITHER DID HE!

Did she get one?

Yep, I enjoyed that, but there isn't much Rick writes that I don't enjoy. Good Christmas tale. C

Happy Holidays, and if I may be permitted a Christmas wish, it's that we get off our collective duffs and get more stories submitted! C

Lovely beginning. C

I always wondered if that red nose meant he was a socialist.

Har har har har

Hey, write your own poem! 😀

-- A Christmas Poem -- “Dad, here’s my list: Christmas draws near. It shows what presents I’d treasure this year. Things I want most are up at the top But the first one’s enough if you don’t want to shop.” “Give it here, Bobby, and I’ll read it right now. My money’s quite short, and I’m not a cash cow. “Hmmmmmm. “OK, I’ve read it, and it is not good Please pay attention, and heed if you would. “I’ve read the first entry, here’s what you chose— Though it’s really quite silly, here’s how it goes: ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.’ Do you see my problem, son? See my beef? “The trouble, my boy, is not that you stammer The trouble instead is your execrable grammar. You must match your nouns to go with your verbs! I find reading this list both irks and disturbs. “As ‘two teeth’ now stands at the top of your list Then ‘is’ should be ‘are’ so the list’s not dismissed. And Santa, I’ve heard, is quite the fine linguist And his sense of propriety is aptly distinguished. “So write this again if you hope for some presents From Santa or anyone—even your parents.” ~ Pause for consideration, and then ~ “I hear you, Dad, your voice is quite strong, Unfortunately, though, your logic is wrong. But I hear what you’re saying, I certainly get it Though your flimsy excuse does not do you credit. “You’re making things up to save spending cash And destroying our grammar to maintain your stash. You’re saying I need a more appropriate verb To match up with the noun; you’re really absurd. You wanted a plural verb, ‘cause two’s more than one And so no presents there’ll be, not any, just none. “Fie,” I say, “and pshaw, and, “oh my.” How deceitful can one be should he but try? But I can see through you—your argument’s specious You’re pretending and faking and grossly capricious "Because I know as well as you do That you’re reasoning is simply abject hoodoo. “I gave you a list of presents I’d like And put atop it two teeth, then a bike. But you didn’t want to spend that much dough Yet needed a way too soften the blow. "But honesty needs to be sung in this case And yours is absurd and totally base. “And so, dear Father, here is my brief: The noun in that sentence was ‘ I’, not ‘teeth’ Because ‘What I want is’ beats ‘What I want are’ Your excuse is nonsense and frankly bizarre. “The list stands as written; again please eyeball it And if you need help to open your wallet I’ll be happy to bring you a prying crowbar Oh, and I’ll take the bike, too, hearty har har har har. C

Very good!

Another great one by Alan! C

thanks!

What with flu, COVID and RSV now rampant, it seems none of us have much of a chance. Hang on, Mike. This too shall pass.