24 Comments
User's avatar
Barbara's avatar

I’m late reading this. I loved the conversation idea. It was hard but my choice is #1.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

You’re not late. Humor and fiction are timeless. 😉 The peanut butter crackers one is the reader favorite. Mine too. 🤓

Expand full comment
V. C. Ackerman's avatar

Alternate Timelines Are Cruel - May all our alternate selves live in beach houses.

Scramblin’ Man - “When I was born with a spatula in my right hand, They knew I was my Daddy’s son” That poor mom though. Ouch!

Reader’s Choice. You Pick The Conversation - I like the “Peanut butter crackers” one the most.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

That would be a tough birth!

Peanut Butter crackers for the win!

Expand full comment
Dascha Paylor 🇨🇦🍁🐻‍❄'s avatar

Definitely liked peanut butter crackers best! But they were all good, including the stories not associated with the picture!

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Thank you, Dascha. Peanut Butter crackers seems to be the favorite. People love snacks. 🤣

Expand full comment
John K Adams's avatar

Mark, Having lived all three variations in some manner, I'm hard put to choose a favorite. But I'm leaning towards #3.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

I knew you were out of this world, but not literally. That explains a lot. 🤣

Expand full comment
John K Adams's avatar

It helps when writing, to see things objectively. But I admit, at times, I weary of that sense of alienation.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Or Alien Nation?

Expand full comment
Jack Herlocker's avatar

One of the features of the multiverse, Mark, is that all things are possible... but not necessarily likely. So there *IS* a you out there somewhere living in a house on a beach... possibly wondering what kind of idiot he was to sink all the family cash into property that will be under water during the next hurricane that hits, and thinking he should have stuck with that airline job...

“Scramblin’ Man” — Worthy of Al Yankovic!

“3-Line Conversations” — #1. Totally relatable! “It’s a five-mile trail, how hard could it be?”

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

If I buy a beach house on an alternate timeline, I hope it will be one where the Earth doesn't have hurricanes and food is free. 🤣

Thanks, Jack.

Expand full comment
Claire Walster's avatar

The peanut butter crackers!! Now I want some!

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Make sure you have some water! 🤣

Expand full comment
Kevin's avatar

"I hope I enjoyed it." Love it!

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Kevin. Who knows? You might have had the house next door. 🤣

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

"My father was a grill cook down in Georgia, Cookin’ eggs for pert near everyone" Ha ha ha! "Pert near"! This is so funny, Mark. You made my morning. I knew the melody and sang along immediately. Also, for the picture - all three conversations were excellent! But I have to say the guy who brought the peanut butter crackers is my kind of guy. Just saying. Nice work!

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Sharron. 🤓

When I moved south, I loved hearing all the southern lingo. "I'm fixin' to.." "What in Tarnation?" "You scared the peawaddlintar outta me." And the pronunciation of certain words like "ole" for oil.

The crackers is my favorite also. Probably a little too close to home. 😉

Expand full comment
Kim Smyth's avatar

I too preferred the first convo, having been in a similar situation 😆🤣

Loved your take on the great Allman Brothers song!

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Kim. It is my favorite also. 🤣

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

Favorite = #2 pb crackers 😮 My own mouth now feels dry.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Me too! 🤣

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

I’m going to be singing “Scramblin’ Man” all day now, ha! Too funny. I enjoyed all three conversations, but the first one was my favorite. The peanut butter crackers line gave me a good laugh! 🤣

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Nothing like some peanut butter crackers (without water) in the desert.

Expand full comment