Jimmy Doom, I love this story! Loved every character, every beat. I feared for the old guy, then cheered. Great, great writing. I would probably like the dark version too, but after two fires and a funeral, this one was just what the rooster ordeered.
If the old man was born in 1923, he would have been alive for the discovery of Tutankhamun's burial chamber, the founding of the Soviet Union and the first erection of the ‘Hollywoodland’ sign.
We sometimes forget how much the World has changed within the lifetimes of people who walk (or sit) among us. Are we to tell them to broaden their horizons? Get with the program? Tune in to Reality FM?
I’m glad his grandchildren respected him and his wishes. We will all be old one day, God willing. I’d prefer indulgence to contempt.
Great story, Jimmy, your compassion shines through your stories.
I remember a movie called “Angels with Dirty Faces” with Jimmy Cagney. The point is that even the hardened ‘OG’ gangster had a heart. I sometimes think about the death of nuance and the presentation of people as being either completely good or completely bad.
I think you are right, Jimmy avoids two-dimensional characters and lets us see real people, including good people doing bad things.
Hell yeah. The Dream Cruise every year north of Detroit is a nightmare for residents but there are always beautiful stories of someone getting their grandfather’s project car on the road
Damned you make me cre bout people. Enough that intent to go move thy riser myself. And then did beside him and shoot the weathervane while sharing stories.
My favorite bit: ““Naww. I wouldn’t go nowhere. I done tol’ her if I’m dyin’ I’m dyin’ here where it’s free to die.””
Any chance you’ll use the same story to end in the darker spot as you thought it might go? I love that you are open to the story’s own momentum.
I really don't like revisiting stories and trying to take them in other directions. I have a pile of unfinished stories people have never seen. Those stories need anywhere from tourniquets to butterfly tickles to get them headed in a publishable direction. But things that have been finished and read are done. I occasionaly do Rashomons to look at the story from a different character's perspective. My books are on their way to you. Knot, in my first book is a 3 way Rashomon.
that makes much sense to me. I only brought it up because your intro or outro indicated the story ended differently than you thought. Looking forward to reading your stuff in books rather than online!
Suddenly aware there’s no “old” people in my life back in Seattle as I leave behind the old people I know and love on the East Coast. I think I know my plan. Thank you.
You also remind me of a fun memory, finding a broken hula hoop, working guard to shoot my bb gin into one end w one arm while the other hand was held Patrice, one finger plugging the other end of the hoop. Hurt more than I expected.
Jimmy Doom, I love this story! Loved every character, every beat. I feared for the old guy, then cheered. Great, great writing. I would probably like the dark version too, but after two fires and a funeral, this one was just what the rooster ordeered.
Thanks for loving it. Thanks for surviving fires
If the old man was born in 1923, he would have been alive for the discovery of Tutankhamun's burial chamber, the founding of the Soviet Union and the first erection of the ‘Hollywoodland’ sign.
We sometimes forget how much the World has changed within the lifetimes of people who walk (or sit) among us. Are we to tell them to broaden their horizons? Get with the program? Tune in to Reality FM?
I’m glad his grandchildren respected him and his wishes. We will all be old one day, God willing. I’d prefer indulgence to contempt.
Great story, Jimmy, your compassion shines through your stories.
His compassion is his superpower. Paul, even in his dark stories, don’t you think?
I remember a movie called “Angels with Dirty Faces” with Jimmy Cagney. The point is that even the hardened ‘OG’ gangster had a heart. I sometimes think about the death of nuance and the presentation of people as being either completely good or completely bad.
I think you are right, Jimmy avoids two-dimensional characters and lets us see real people, including good people doing bad things.
I’ve seen it.
I think you gotta respect a guy who drinks his own moonshine every day
This one’s a beauty. Our hero’s going to have to find a Rambler next, isn’t he, J.
63 Ramblers are out there for sale but I bet Poppy is still with it enough to know that a good one didn’t come from his old chassis.
Do you think he’d appreciate the effort ?
Hell yeah. The Dream Cruise every year north of Detroit is a nightmare for residents but there are always beautiful stories of someone getting their grandfather’s project car on the road
Great story!
You messing with us?
Granted, the 1963 Rambler does resemble a Dodge Coronet, IIRC, but technically, it was an AMC.
Loved the rooster story.
That's pretty much the way it works at 102.
Very little matters, but you had better not get in the way!
Eating two boxes of BBs? Daaaaamn.
Damned you make me cre bout people. Enough that intent to go move thy riser myself. And then did beside him and shoot the weathervane while sharing stories.
My favorite bit: ““Naww. I wouldn’t go nowhere. I done tol’ her if I’m dyin’ I’m dyin’ here where it’s free to die.””
Any chance you’ll use the same story to end in the darker spot as you thought it might go? I love that you are open to the story’s own momentum.
I really don't like revisiting stories and trying to take them in other directions. I have a pile of unfinished stories people have never seen. Those stories need anywhere from tourniquets to butterfly tickles to get them headed in a publishable direction. But things that have been finished and read are done. I occasionaly do Rashomons to look at the story from a different character's perspective. My books are on their way to you. Knot, in my first book is a 3 way Rashomon.
that makes much sense to me. I only brought it up because your intro or outro indicated the story ended differently than you thought. Looking forward to reading your stuff in books rather than online!
Suddenly aware there’s no “old” people in my life back in Seattle as I leave behind the old people I know and love on the East Coast. I think I know my plan. Thank you.
You also remind me of a fun memory, finding a broken hula hoop, working guard to shoot my bb gin into one end w one arm while the other hand was held Patrice, one finger plugging the other end of the hoop. Hurt more than I expected.