Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

You are developing a very nice relationship between Alan and Tommy. Alan still has an opportunity to be a teacher. I'm enjoying the way the story is progressing. For now, everything is going smoothly for Alan. I hope it continues.

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024

Wouldn't that be nice? Perhaps this is the calm before the storm?

Comment from eliz100

Excellent

This is another excellent chapter. You are moving the story along nicely. You must know a lot about electricity. I admire the way you took Tommy through evaluating the toaster problem. I do not see any room for improvement. Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024

Thanks, Lee. My knowledge of electricity does not extend very far, but I've got Google for that and a rudimentary understanding of a few things. When I get to later in the book, I may have to consult with my brother who is an electrical engineer for some of it that's beyond me.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Alan has taken Tommy under his wing it seems as he starts up his electrical repair shop. I found I skipped through the technical tuition but Tommy certainly didn't and now an invite to dinner. Going well.
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 10-Feb-2024

Thank you, Valda. There will be another technical scene or two in the story, but it's fine to skip through them. You don't lose much by doing that. The reason I go into such detail a couple of time is to establish Alan's bona-fides for later in the story when he invents something very technical.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Whaaaat? Where'd this come from?

I told him that after putting those up, he could take the rest of the day off and that I'd see him at dinner at his house

I guess Ginnie stopped back at the shop with a dinner invite? Hmmm, interesting .

Good chapter, Jim. Our kitchen toaster is one solid piece. I don't think it can he taken apart, like most small appliances of today.

Stay well,
John

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 10-Feb-2024

It came from the last chapter when Ginnie came over to give permission for Tommy to work for Alan. She invited him to dinner then.

You're right. A lot of things aren't fixable today.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
I 'm really enjoying this story. I wonder if you can still take things apart to fix anymore, or if you have to junk them? I know I can't work on my car, even though I was never much of a mechanic. I'm going to have to pay $1500.00 for a new water pump, and the labor is going to be ten hours more or less. The engines are so crammed in the space, you have to take apart the whole thing to get to what you want. I like the fact the Alan is willing to teach Tommy and that Tommy is actually interested in learning something, instead of just wanting to go play. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
Blessings,
Tom

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Feb-2024

Thanks, Tom. Sometimes you can't even diagnose what's wrong with a car unless you have a fancy computer that can run diagnostics on it. Engines are sure a lot more complicated than they used to be.

I think Alan is enjoying teaching him as much as Tommy enjoys learning.

reply by T B Botts on 09-Feb-2024

It's a great story so far Jim, keep up the good work.

Comment from Navada

Excellent

I'm enjoying what we're learning about both characters here - their enjoyment of their work and their kind treatment of people. I'm sure their store will be a success! Still curious to hark back to Tina and the school, though ... :)

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Feb-2024

Thanks, Navada. We'll get back to that story starting in chapter 13.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Jim, this is an interesting.continuation to the story. The business seems to be up and coming and now Alan has even hired Tommy for the summer. I'm looking forward to reading on. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Feb-2024

Thanks, Ulla. Alan has a student to teach now and gets to use many of his teaching skills.

Comment from Carol Clark2

Excellent

I'm glad Alan has offered Tommy a job for the summer. It's good for a kid to earn a bit of cash and develop responsibility. Alan did a good job teaching Tommy about the toaster, and letting him find the problem. I hope the ads don't bring any unwanted attention to Alan. Blessings. Carol

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Feb-2024

Good point. Let's hope not. Tommy only put the ads up around Mason where they don't know Alan (or David), although some may have heard about the scandal.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

Hey smart! If I didn't know better I would think this hiring of Tommy was a way to have more contact with his sexy Mum:)) No, seriously, the bonding is beautifully done and I'm enjoying the school-teacher in Alan bringing out Tommy's confidence and self-esteem. The business is taking off well and I'm certainly going to be learning a few tips about repairing those electrical appliances. The description of the toaster was so clear and on my level of comprehension! Well done, Jim. Debbie

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024

Thanks so much, Debbie. Seeing more of his Mum may not have been the original intention, but it will certainly be the result! There will be one more similar lesson soon on fixing a dehumidifier, but I don't want to go overboard with that, so that will be it of a technical nature until much later in the story when we'll be dealing with a unique invention.

reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 08-Feb-2024

Excellent! My humidifier caught fire just before the pandemic. It was kept on in a shed used as a gym and the whole interior was blackened with the smell of burning plastic in the air. We think the only reason the fire didn't take hold was it was next to a water-powered rowing machine that must have extinguished it when the cylinder was destroyed.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Sounds like a great partnership! And Tommy is such a bright young lad that he can pick up skills along the way. I was worried about him going all over town alone but it must be a safer place and time.
I thought "a minute" was too long for him to find the bread - just being technical since everything else was so technical up to that point. ð??? I'm looking forward to learning mechanical stuff from you. Easier to read than McCauley's How Things Work! And there might be a romance brewing...well, at least, a dinner date.

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024

I'm not exactly sure when things changed so much that we now feel uptight about having our kids ride all over town unescorted. Maybe it was just gradual, but in 1985 in a small town like Mason, it probably wasn't too frightening for parents.

Soon, you'll also learn about dehumidifiers, but I don't want to overdo it, so that will be it for a while for technical descriptions until much later in the story when we talk about a new invention.

reply by lyenochka on 08-Feb-2024

It was probably okay in such a small town. That's like the kind of towns I saw on TV. In the 1970s we had creepy adults stalking children in Honolulu. I wouldn't want my kids biking all over even in Portland in the 1990s.