Smiley

I didn't know they had blondes in Australia.

Unfortunately there is too much truth in that story to be rofl funny. But I did enjoy it.

Star: The guy was drunk and thought that the swing was his car. Anyone else, lets give the guy a good hard push off the swing. LoL

Please join us at 8:30 PM, Eastern Daylight Savings Time on Saturday, October 13, to discuss the short story "The Luck of Roaring Camp" by Bret Harte. We have encountered Bret Harte in the past and have found him entertaining. This is one of his more well known stories and should provide plenty of food for thought (or is that grist for our intellectual mills). The story may be found at: http://www.readbooko...eadOnLine/1102/ Log of Chat: Readers_Corner Log 10132012.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 PM, edst on Saturday, October 6, to discuss the short story "The Happiness Machine" by Ray Bradbury. The Story wasThe late Ray Bradbury is one of the most well known and respected Science Fiction authors of the mid-20th century. This story was originally published in 1957 in a Bradbury anthology Dandelion Wine. It was reprinted in the Saturday Evening Post in honor of Bradbury's 90th birthday. I know that Star will enjoy it, and I think we all will. The story may be found at: http://www.saturdaye...machine-SEP.pdf Log of chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 10062012.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, September 29, 2012 for a discussion of two very short stories, The Snake by Stephen Crane and Detected by the Camera by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Crane and Montgomery were contemporaries, and both were accomplished writers of both novels and short stories. These stories are quite different in their approach, and in my opinion, show the differences between a male approach to a situation and a female approach. While the situations in the stories are somewhat different, they both deal with a snake in the grass. I think it will be interesting to look at them together and see whether there is a gender related difference in approach by the authors and our opinions as readers. The Snake can be found at: http://www.online-li...com/crane/2557/ Detected by the Camera can be found at: http://www.online-li...ry/1896-1901/6/ Meeting place: #Readers_Corner Log of Chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 09292012.rtf

arrrrgggghhhhhhh Maties Tis talk like a Pirate day so, do so or meet you maker in Davie Jones' locker. We'll shiver your timbers, keel haul you, and make you walk the plank For those who do talk like a pirate. Have a cup of grog on me. Arrrrrgggghhhhhhh

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, September 22, 2012 for a discussion of Beyond the Bayou by Kate Chopin. Koach located this story for us. This will be the third story by Chopin that we have discussed, but we have not looked at any of her works since 2008. We have enjoyed her stories in the past, I think you will enjoy this one. The story can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/k...ndthebayou.html Log of Chat is attached: Readers_Corner Log 09222012.rtf

Now that's funny, and I can think of a couple of people I might try it on.

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, September 15, 2012 for a discussion of Accessory Before the Fact by Algernon Blackwood. We have read Blackwood in the past and his stories have always triggered interesting chats. The story can be found at: http://www.havaris.c...ories09/014.htm Meeting place: #Readers_Corner Log of chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 09152012.rtf

Four married guys go fishing. After an hour, the following conversation took place: First guy: 'You have no idea what I had to do to be able to come out fishing this weekend. I had to promise my wife that I would paint every room in the house next weekend.' Second guy: 'That is nothing, I had to promise my wife that I would build her a new deck for the pool.' Third guy: 'Man, you both have it easy! I had to promise my wife that I would remodel the kitchen for her.' They continue to fish. When they realized that the fourth guy has not said a word, they asked him. 'You haven't said anything about what you had to do to be able to come fishing this weekend. What's the deal?' Fourth guy: 'I just set my alarm for 5:30 am. When it went off, I shut off my alarm, gave the wife a slap on her butt and said: 'Fishing or Sex?' and she said: 'Wear sun-block.'

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, September 8, 2012 for a discussion of Cathedral by Raymond Carver. Koach suggested this story, which has been an assigned term paper project for many English students since its initial publication in 1981. It's an interesting change of pace and I think you will enjoy both the story and our discussion of it. The story can be found at: http://nbu.bg/webs/a...r/cathedral.htm or http://www.misanthro...nd-short-story/ Meeting place: #Readers_Corner WebChat Users: http://www.koach.com...3readers_corner IRC users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -j #readers_corner 6667 Log of Chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 20120908.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, September 1, 2012 for a discussion ofLady Godiva of the Suburbs by Gary Canup. This will be the second story by Canup that we have discussed and I think you will enjoy it. The story can be found at: http://www.garycanup...he_suburbs.html Meeting place: #Readers_Corner WebChat Users: http://www.koach.com...3readers_corner IRC users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -j #readers_corner 6667 Log of chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 20120901.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, August 25, 2012 for a discussion of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The story can be found at: http://www.library.c.../wallpaper.html Meeting place: #Readers_Corner WebChat Users: http://www.koach.com...3readers_corner IRC users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -j #readers_corner 6667 I hope to see you there, and free chocky chip cookies to anyone who brings a new friend along. Log of chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 20120825.rtf

Due to some family related travel by several of our regular members, we will skip our next scheduled chats. Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, August 18, 2012 for a discussion of "The Missing Chord" by O'Henry. Like most of O'Henry's stories it deals with human nature, and leaves the reader feeling good. The story can be found at: http://www.online-li...m/o_henry/1031/ Log of chat attached here: readers_corner log 08182012.rtf

I just finished reading Death Match by Lincoln Child (I read it in a paperback version provided on the honor system book exchange racks at the local library). Lincoln Child is better known as a collaborator with Douglas Preston on a number of occult or at least weird mystery type stories. This story is also a detective story of sorts which investigates the theoretical capabilities and dangers of Artificial Intelligence in a distributed network mode. (Star will like it and I am sure that Fovea will really love it.) If you get a chance pick it up for a few entertaining hours of reading. (I read it on a six hour plane ride so it's not too long).

Star brought this to my attention. "Seeing Things" by JOHN BURROUGHS is an interesting essay on the power of observation and the value of close observation of nature. While it is not a "Short Story" as such, it is well worth reading. http://www.loa.org/images/pdf/Burroughs_Seeing_Things.pdf

Sure, blame it on the seagull. lol

Please join us at 8:30 PM (edt), Saturday, August 4, 2012 for a discussion of "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains" by Edgar Allan Poe. Its been several months since our last discussion of a Poe story and Koach was going into Poe withdrawal. The story can be found at: http://www.magick7.c...ries/1/1530.htm Meeting place: #Readers_Corner WebChat Users: http://www.koach.com...3readers_corner IRC users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -j #readers_corner 6667 I hope to see you there. Log of chat attached: #readers_corner_20120804.txt

I have forwarded it to all my friends who are retired,

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target: Dear Mrs Smiley, Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Harris, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras: 1. June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking. 2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals. 3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom. 4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money. We don't have a Code 3. 5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway. 6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area. 7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged. 8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called. 9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose. 10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were. 11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme. 12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' using different sizes of funnels. 13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!' 14. October 22: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!' 15. Took a box of condoms to the checkout clerk and asked where is the fitting room? And last, but not least: 16. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here..' One of the clerks passed out.

Please Join us on Saturday night, July 28, 2012 to discuss: "Donovan’s Dream" by William S. Hubbartt. As discussed in our chat on July 21st, we will take a look at a similarly themed story to that SciFi tale in a Western style. Story URL: http://www.ropeandwi...39;s_Dream.html Log of chat attached: #readers_corner 20120728.txt

Due to vacation travels there will be no formal #readers_corner chat on July 14th. Please Join us on Saturday night, July 21, 2012 to discuss: "THE HUNTED HEROS" by Robert Silverberg Silverberg is one of the most respected and prolific of Science Fiction authors from the later golden age (the 1950s). This particular story was first published in Amazing Stories, September 1956. We think you will enjoy it. Story URL: http://www.magick7.c.../2/097/2224.htm Log of chat is attached: #readers_corner.koach.com.20120721.txt

Slinky asked me to post this on his behalf, he is having trouble getting the picture uploaded. and a happy birthday from me too.

Please join us in # Readers_Corner at 8:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Time), July 7, 2012 for a discussion of several of Charles B. Cory's short stories. The stories are very short, therefore we will discuss several at one time. All deal with supernatural or spooky themes. The stories were all contained in Montezuma's Castle and Other Weird Tales, an anthology of Cory's stories, published in 1899. The selected stories (average length 3 normal sized book pages) are: Montezuma's Castle 4pp Strange Powder of the Jou Jou Priests 1pg An Aztec Mummy 3pp A Lesson In Chemistry 4pp An Interesting Ghost 3pp The Mound of Eternal Silence 2pp The stories are available from Gutenberg.org at: http://www.gutenberg...95-h.htm#Page_1 or from: http://fullreads.com...charles-b-cory/ Meeting place: #Readers_Corner WebChat Users: http://www.koach.com...3readers_corner IRC users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -j #readers_corner 6667 I hope you all can make it. Log of chat attached: Readers_Corner Log 07072012.rtf