Awestruck Comments

StormR - Aren't you quick off the mark this month, but when those bunnies hop you've got to go with them, eh? I enjoyed the twists in this story, and I didn't see where it was going when I started reading, but I love that in a story. You captured the boy's characters beautifully, and it's good to see that they weren't changed too much by 'soft living.' A great start to the month.

StormR: I loved the tone of this; it struck me as sort of carefree and wistful. How nice that they are looking back and appreciating where they are now.

StormR - I really enjoy stories where the boys have received their amnesty and this one's no exception. Loved Heyes' gentle teasing of Kid. Wonderfully done!

Riders - Your story is well plotted and a lot of fun. The ever practical Heyes finding a way to get back at an unsavory character and make a few thousand ill-earned bucks out of it at the same time. Heyes and Curry were well in character through the whole tale, no matter what their ages. I loved the note and the "long forgotten conversation with two young boys."

Niekx - Wholes in their stockings! What a clever way to decide. I love Flora very sneakily getting what she wants. Reading this was a lot of fun.

Ghislaine - So nice to read a story from you again. This one is particularly well written. It was a true pleasure to read. I did wonder about the lines where Heyes is searching for glory and fame. From the series, I would say that Heyes was more interested in laying low. He is most definitely greedy and larcenous, but I'm not sure that he was after fame. I loved the message at the end of the story, though. I was impressed with how well your story fit with the theme. It is almost a commentary on the nature of democratic government. And I can absolutely see Curry remembering the word "hubris" and planning to use it with Heyes when necessary. All in all, a really good read. Great job!

Hanna Heyes - Well this is certainly a different kind of robbery. I enjoyed the banter with Wheat. Lot's of fun. :foodsleepy:

Hunkeydorey - I really liked this story. Well written and from a fresh and interesting perspective. I didn't guess the truth about Galbraith and his "daughter" until very close to the end of the story. I thought the whole thing was believable and in character. I loved how "Stubby" did such a commendable thing for his wife and "daughter" but he is not cute, sweet, or cuddly. He is a gruff man who did a wonderful thing. Very good story which I enjoyed immensely.

Remuda - I do enjoy your Saddle Talks. Gant is one of my favorite characters. I really like the brief visit back to this episode. As usual, your banter is great and the boys are completely in character. Good job!

Very somber story this time Riders, but gripping none the less. An interesting take on how Curry got his 'Kid' handle and that even as teenagers, he wouldn't hesitate to kill in order to protect his cousin. He might have regrets afterwards, but he'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Riders57: So glad you expanded and gave us a backstory; this was great! From the very first line (one of my favorites: As Bart McCracken’s life slowly drained into the floorboards of the saloon…) to the end, this was a fast-moving, engrossing story. Also really liked how you described the reactions of both Heyes and Jed after the shooting. Another favorite line: “Well, don’t lose. I want to eat more than that,”...

Riders - So that's how Kid got his name. Loved that as they got older, Kid took over the role of protecter more and more. This story shows he wouldn't hesitate to do anything to save Heyes, including killing. Enjoyed reading the backstory of Bart. Wonderfully written!

Riders 57: Interesting slant on how Kid Curry got his name and his reputation. Some of my favorite parts: Heyes giving Kid money for food, in case he loses, and how Kid says "I want to eat more than that." Also, the darkening tone of Kid's conversation with Henry Stanton, and Stanton saying "get your friend out of there." And, Kid noticing that there was an empty seat at the poker table in a crowded saloon, and that it was "kinda strange to see an open seat when a bar's this crowded." Very clever of him to notice that; even if he didn't know the reason why, he knew it could mean trouble. But poor Kid and Heyes! They still had to leave town without finding work!

Riders - Wow! It may not have been a "holiday" story but it was certainly compelling. Loved the first paragraph as it sucks you in to the scene. Enjoyed finding out how Kid got his nickname.

More November…

Ghislaine
What a great story! I thought we would find out by the end what the verdict was, but it is just as well to leave it open-ended; we can imagine a conclusion either way. Had to smile as Heyes expounded on how wonderful he was, only to have Kid be the conscience in all of it, bringing that hubris back down to earth. This is well-written with lots of wonderful lines, my favorite of which were, “Sometimes you gotta reach for the moon and if you fail, well, at least you’ll land among the stars,” and “They need someone who can take the Devil’s Hole gang where no band of outlaws has ever gone before,” which reminded me of Star Trek. Well done!

Storm: Ah, thank you for explaining that "ripple" I felt - I thought you might have been the one responsible!

So glad you found a bunny AND were able to be the first poster...good combination!

One of my fav parts was realizing that they were back out sleeping on the ground even after getting amnest and families...sheesh, some things never change, do they!

Second fav part was where you said that they had only been out there for one day and Kid was already grumpy - poor guy!

Very enjoyable and a "warm fuzzy" kind of story, great for the holidays

Riders,

You are right; while it is NOT a holiday story, it DOES accomplish incorporating this month's topic into an attentiion-holding adventure since we are captured right from the very start with your first few words. Once that first paragraph was read, I was hooked for sure!

Very interesting take on how the legend of Kid Curry came about and it was equally enjoyable to learn more about the background story of some of your characters.

What a nice present for SisterGrace :xmaspresents: and the rest of us get to reap the benefits as well

Two nice stories to start us off this month one about appreciating stuff from storm and a horror story for Jed from riders.

I will try to keep up with reading them this month.

Maz: Hmm; does this mean the series is nearing its end??? Sure hope not. Cute--but weird!*--flashback interspersed with scenes that make me want to know even more how the boys managed to go from the ranch to their present predicaments. Thanks for keeping Ranch Days going strong!


*In the sense that talking about a fake (I presume glass) eye is a weird topic of conversation.

Maz - intruiging to be sure. I have been wondering how you would move them from their happy ranch days to the less happy life that drove them to outlawry -- sounds like you have a plan. interesting snippet on the eye -- cute.

Maz - Really enjoyed this delve into the ranch days series. Like others, I'm eager to see how they went from ranch hands to outlaws. Well done!

Penski - Lovely sweet, though a little sad story of the boy's Christmas. Loved the memories Jed had and the gifts they gave each other. Now I'm wanting cookies ;) Wonderful writing!