Just browsing around your archive over a second cup of coffee this morning. I loved the way you got into the little-boy mind in the forest and in the thrill of building a tree house. That is quite an unexpected twist at the end. Yikes! BTW: The painting behind your head in your logo photo. Is that of Bruges, Belgium?
Thanks, Sharron. I still have that little boy inside me somewhere.
That painting was my Grandmother's. I don't know what (or where) the subject is. I just looked close at it and it appears to be a signed print. Signed in pencil. It looks like #20 on the left side and the signature looks like Julian Coley.
How To Ruin An Awesome Day In A Treehouse - Oh my God! “Ruin an awesome day” their bones are going to be ruined if they don’t get out of that treehouse!
The Animal Olympics - Cute! You should turn this one into a children’s picture book, I think it would do well.
Once built, treehouses should remain monuments to childhood, and even more important, should be passed along to the next generations for as long as the trees last.
The nickel story made me chuckle more than it should have, while the tree story is a great example of how dumb items end up on safety checklists... like, "Check tree for treehouses and children before starting to saw."
Just browsing around your archive over a second cup of coffee this morning. I loved the way you got into the little-boy mind in the forest and in the thrill of building a tree house. That is quite an unexpected twist at the end. Yikes! BTW: The painting behind your head in your logo photo. Is that of Bruges, Belgium?
Thanks, Sharron. I still have that little boy inside me somewhere.
That painting was my Grandmother's. I don't know what (or where) the subject is. I just looked close at it and it appears to be a signed print. Signed in pencil. It looks like #20 on the left side and the signature looks like Julian Coley.
I wish we could add photos to comments.
Hey Mark! Looking forward to reading your stories here.
Hi J. I see you joined the Substack writer's club. Welcome!
Beautiful!
Alas, once a cheetah, always one.
A cheetah can't change its spots. 😉😂
Thanks, John.
If I Had A Nickel - Nickel squared.
How To Ruin An Awesome Day In A Treehouse - Oh my God! “Ruin an awesome day” their bones are going to be ruined if they don’t get out of that treehouse!
The Animal Olympics - Cute! You should turn this one into a children’s picture book, I think it would do well.
Pretend they leaped to another tree before their's fell. 😉
A picture book is a fun idea. Unfortunately, it would require an artist and a book deal to be viable.
The twist in the treehouse story was superb and that was some A+ rhyming on the poem!
Thank you Claire. I loved the Twilight Zone as a kid, so I like twist endings. And I enjoy rhyming probably more than I should. 😂
I can always count on you for a good laugh. Thanks, Mark! Great stories all around. 😄
I appreciate your comments, Justin. As always. Thank you! 😀
I think this is your best post ever, Mark. I loved every word of every piece. Well done!! 😁
Aw. Thank you, Jenise. That is very kind. 😀
Once built, treehouses should remain monuments to childhood, and even more important, should be passed along to the next generations for as long as the trees last.
I agree with that, Bill. Nothing quite like a tree house. Thanks.
Agree, Bill.
I always love your stories, you never disappoint. The tree house brought back wonderful memories..thankfully no chainsaw was involved. 😂😂😂
Thanks. It was based partly on my childhood. Except the chainsaw. 😂
Well that's good to hear, pretty scary to imagine! 😂
Luv your writing
Thank you, Kerrie. I appreciate it. 😀
The nickel story made me chuckle more than it should have, while the tree story is a great example of how dumb items end up on safety checklists... like, "Check tree for treehouses and children before starting to saw."
If I had a nickel for every time someone chuckled... Thanks, Jack.
I agree on the treehouse. The loggers should have looked up! Maybe it was so high and hidden, they couldn't see it. 😉
"Hey, Bill, did you see this? 'Check for treehouses before cutting.' That's stupid! Who could miss a treehouse?"
"Yeah, well, Jim, let me tell you about this one time..."
🤣 Nothing like shop talk. Reminiscent of my airline days.
Loved the nickel story 😆
Thanks, Alexa. Sometimes, clichés don't work. 😂
Good Job, thanks. I especially enjoyed the treehouse story. I think all of us had friends like your showed us in your story.
Thanks, Scott. I agree. Kids like those are fairly common. At least they were when I was growing up. 🤓
Another home run, Mark thank you! I needed the chuckles today 👍
My pleasure, Thomas. When I was a kid there was a candy called Chuckles. It was four different flavored licorice.
Nice! I wish I had the chance to eat that I’ll have to settle for the fun stories on a Monday!
wonderful way to start the day
Thank you, Marji. Have a good week!