What a fun story! Is there a sequel?

Wow, I'm seriously kicking myself for not looking through the Thunderbirds part of this site for a few months. I also haven't reviewed any of your other stories (at least, I don't think so), which is another thing I'm kicking myself for. Well, better late than never, so I'll just give a general one on here.

As soon as I saw this and realised that it's not on Tracy Island Chronicles, I pretty much flipped my happy-lid before starting to read it. I loved that Virgil was the one who a 'gift' for the games, its makes sense considering the way his mind works.

I'll admit I wasn't keen on Wee-Tracy stories in the beginning, but your stories got me hooked on them and are so bloody good to boot - 'Pumpkin Patch' made me just-about drool with its cute sweetness.

As I said, I'm being lazy and giving a general review here, so I'll just carry on. :P

By far your best works are 'A Cold Day In Hell' and 'Cloud of Doom', and what makes them even better is that you seem to have the knack for giving the 'episodes' real epic-sounding names, as they did in the original series.

Have you got anymore epics lined up at all? I'd certainly look forward to reading them - no matter if they are far-fetched or silly (giant alligators ftw) - if you are!

Either way, I think I spent my first few weeks at University steadily working my way through not only your stories, but the likes of LMC, Sam W, Quiller and Purupuss as well. I loved them all immensely and I thank you for that when I needed a distraction from being alone in a new environment.

Again, awesome work as usual and PLEASE keep writing more!

XD :D XD

Dear Boomercat

I am so remiss in reviewing this beautiful story. I read it the second it was uploaded, but real life gets in the way...

I've said it before and I will say it again - reading your Kalvesta stories are like visiting with favourite childhood friends.

Again this was an awesome piece of writing.

My favourite bits were Scott being hazed(?) by the older men, and then his friends join in.

"Scott's hand slipped, and the ball didn't clear the hump. He dropped his head, and Jeff thought for a moment that they had pushed the boy too far. But then Scott's head came up, and Jeff saw that he was fighting not to laugh."

I don't know why I found this so incredibly endearing - but I did. Scott is just such a wonderful kid.

Mind you, I was a bit taken by surprise with Virgil and Jeff's exchange:

"Jeff watched them go, but had bigger fish to fry. Sniffing ostentatiously, he turned to Stu. "Do you smell that? Smells like a sucker to me."

Virgil, who'd been standing patiently waiting his turn, smirked, "Maybe you should take a shower more often, Dad."

Tom whistled the theme from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, as father and son squared off. "Well, now, look who's here to be fleeced, boys."

"Yeah, I'll be getting a good sweater out of you three."

As Tom and Stu hooted, Jeff narrowed his eyes. "How about a little side bet, son?"

"Bring it on, Pops." Virgil's smirk grew wider.

"Pops? Did you just call me Pops?"

Virgil turned serious. "Mr. Kopecki, have you got any hearing aids back there? I'd like to win one for my elderly father, here."

"Oh, you are so going down, kid." "

This is truly inspired. I was very much expecting a 'bite me' in there some where!

What I liked so much about this story, and how it differs from you other Fair story is the level of by play between the three older boys and their father.

It's just lovely.

Hah! I had an 'A-Team' moment when Gordon first said he wanted to name the fish 'Face'. But it was momentary as we quickly got the 'Fish Face' joke.

My kids have read your Thunderbirds stories and they loved this one. They want to know whether you are a writer for the TV series and why we didn't get to see this in a story as a flashback.

Thank you so much for continuing to write and share these stories. I am hoping that we will see the return of Something Wicked soon...

Rosie, I love it when I get a n alert to say you've posted a new story because I know I'm going to end up feeling all warm and cosy after reading it, and that was certainly true here.

I think my favourite bits were Jeff's comment about Scott changing religions because he wouldn't get to take out the Bugatti in this lifetime, and Virgil as 'The Vortex'.

Keep 'em coming!

I love your Kalvesta stories and this one was no exception. The portrayal of the family before IR is beautifully written. It’s nice to see them so relaxed and happy – particularly Jeff – in the days when all they have to worry about is the fate of a goldfish, especially knowing the tragedies and dangers they’re going to have to deal with in the future.

Thanks for another wonderful story.

Bee

excellent story

Heh! I won a goldfish at a state fair in Jacksonville, NC, when I was... must've been 9 or 10. Wheedled my folks into buying a ten-gallon fish tank for the little guy, too. My dad helped me make the ping-pong ball throw, though. We ended up with three fish, and named them after the main characters from Ponderosa: Hoss, Little Joe and Adam. It's nice, thinking back and remembering. Thank you for a very sweet and delightful story, Rosemary.

Christine

Hooray! A new BoomerCat story!

I absolutely love your Kalvesta stories - you really have the small town flavor down to a T - you make it all feel so real. Love how the same characters keep showing up in the stories as well :-)

Gordon winning his fish was awesome.

Virgil acing all the games - priceless!

I love stories about their pre-IR days, actually, I love stories about the Tracy boys period, but you really do have a flair for their early years.

Can't wait for the next one *bats eyes* pretty please?

A very sweet, easy to read story. Thank you for sharing it with us, Rosie.

mcj

How wonderful to read another story so similar to your previous one 'The Fair.' I really enjoyed this, the events throughout the day were were so well written I felt I could see what was happening. Thank you for another glimpse into the life of the Tracy family in their pre I.R. days and a glimpse into the scenes of a small festival in a Mid-West town. Loved it.

ejb