Discuss Marty's story "Lovin' High Places", in this thread.




Spoilers below!!!





Spoilers below!!!





Spoilers below!!!

"Because it was there."

A philosophy that, unfortunately, I can't relate to. People do, and the characters in the story certainly did and it shows. I can appreciate the sentiment, because it is the one that underlies so many human achievements -- people doing things because they can, or because they took an obstacle as a challenge.

What I could relate to was the way the story ended. People do drift apart -- I have "friends" that I haven't seen for years, and others that our only contact seems to be exchanging Christmas cards. Settling down ties you down, too, but that's not always a bad thing. Giving up the freedom to move whenever you want is fine when you gain something you want in return. This is another thing in the story that I could strongly relate to.

I wasn't sure I would like the story when I started reading it. This is more because mountain climbing isn't something that interests me, but there are enough underlying messages of challenges, philosophy, dreams and reality that I found myself coming away with a melancholy smile on the face.

Thank you, Marty!

I very much liked the inside look into the joy of climbing, a hobby that is quite foreign to me. How sad that they drifted apart, and disappointing that attempted contact was ignored. All too realistic though.

Thanks for a great story, Marty!

Do they actually let the English live in Ireland?

I have spent a total of four weeks in Ireland. I loved every moment. It is indeed the Emerald Isle, utterly beautiful. And the people are 'grand'. Your vivid descriptions of the various landscapes brought back so many great memories.

I have to agree with Maddy. In terms of the relationship between the narrator and Sam, it is a story for those given to melancholy, as least as much as the phrase what might have been would allow.

I believe that the narrator's reference to the isolation of the mountains spoke volumes to how he preferred to live his life. Just as the 'Creator' belief intruded upon his far more rational 'Life-Force' belief, so did Sam intrude upon his isolated self. Both were welcomed intrusions.

If there is a regret in his life, it would be Sam.

Well done, Marty.

Conner

A bittersweet short story I enjoyed. The fact that the pronoun "we" is used for a good part; the epiphany walking up the mountain, then the argument, this simple little episode that seems to be pinpointed as the beginning of the drifting apart. I don't know if this story intends to make a point, but I like the nostalgia and the joy mixed in it.

The ending was so sad! Why did he left? Losing his friend as well as his passion. Unfortunately, it's the bitter truth of many of us. *sigh* Sad and realistic story. But also a well-written and nice one.

Ieshwar