Stephen's new story: Laurie

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Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Cute story and appreciated! Thank you.
The only problem I have with it is that Laurie is spelled completely wrong ;;D
Okay, Lori :hmm:

Just finished reading it again - great little story!

I do have one question Spideyman and/or fljoe0 - what is a tree rat? and do they actually fall out of the trees down there?
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Okay, Lori :hmm:

Just finished reading it again - great little story!

I do have one question Spideyman and/or fljoe0 - what is a tree rat? and do they actually fall out of the trees down there?
upload_2018-5-22_10-23-57.jpeg
Palm rats, also known as roof rats, black rats, shiprats or house rats, are the leading rodent pest inFlorida and in other tropical climates. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground in trees like palms, which is how they got their common name.
Palm Rats / Roof Rats |
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
View attachment 26104
Palm rats, also known as roof rats, black rats, shiprats or house rats, are the leading rodent pest inFlorida and in other tropical climates. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground in trees like palms, which is how they got their common name.
Palm Rats / Roof Rats |
Yikes - don't remember those when we went down to visit the in-laws back in the late 80s! They lived in Spring Hill so maybe not in the swampy areas?

I would like to go visit the Florida Keys - I hear they are quite nice

We were warned about the fire ants and that you cannot go down to the beach after sunset as it is dangerous but that's all I recall.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
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United States
Okay, Lori :hmm:

Just finished reading it again - great little story!

I do have one question Spideyman and/or fljoe0 - what is a tree rat? and do they actually fall out of the trees down there?

View attachment 26104
Palm rats, also known as roof rats, black rats, shiprats or house rats, are the leading rodent pest inFlorida and in other tropical climates. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground in trees like palms, which is how they got their common name.
Palm Rats / Roof Rats |
When I read it, I thought he was using a comical slang for a squirrel. Around here we call them tree rats. Didn't know this, Spidey.
 

Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
177
720
37
DC
Call me sentimental but my eyes stung a bit with tears near the end - that was a lovely story - thank you Mr. King :applause::love:

7faa91b699b00d2efad428a0de3ad097--dog-photography-for-dogs.jpg
Thank you for posting a picture! I was wondering the whole time I was reading it, and this looks pretty close to what I was imagining. Adorable.
 

Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
177
720
37
DC
I don't think I can do justice with words to the profound satisfaction this story offers. In its elegant simplicity, it goes way beyond being effective writing. "Laurie" manages to capture the magic of the pet-owner relationship better, I think, than "LTs Theory of Pets," and it's just as emotionally complex. Having read a lot of work by conservationists like Jeffrey Masson, I also really appreciated the scene where Lloyd imagines Laurie's thoughts as she chews on a toy ("You didn't make them into something they were not"). The plot is more exciting and the ending is more satisfying than LT, too, but beyond comparisons to individual short stories, I think "Laurie" is easily one of King's most poetic and profound stories (of what I've read). The only other story I can think of that compares to the philosophical depth of Laurie, for me, would be "The Last Rung on the Ladder." The imagery of the stars compared with the dog looking up at him is nothing short of genius.

And of course, thank you for the free story!:encouragement:
 

Steffen

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2015
2,233
12,800
I read it a few weeks ago. Was waiting to get my car detailed so I downloaded it on my phone. Read it, teared up because it made me think of my own dogs that have now passed on, then I smiled because even having read every single book he's ever publish, the Old Man could still tug at my heartstrings like that. As I always say, if Heaven is a place that doesn't allow dogs, then I don't want to be there.

Thank you Uncle Stevie. You're still my favourite Rock Star.