Christmas Eve away from home. Where's the comfort and joy?

Short and hopefully sweet, this story picks up immediately where A Sound of Bells finishes. Merry Christmas everyone. And keep your eyes open in the days to come, there just might be something else under the tree to unwrap.

A little Christmas story from the relay station. . . To hear this story read aloud (yes, this one is a story, not a poem), go to SoundCloud dot com and search for "A Michigan Skylark in Laramie."

Very often at the end of episodes, there are reasons for gratitude, even if it is not directly expressed. These short 'snapshots' try to capture some of the other moments which might merit saying an unexpected or humorous or quirky but always heartfelt "thank you ...".

If each episode of Laramie is in order time wise, then there is a lengthy gap between The Pass (winter) and Trail Drive (late summer or early autumn). I intend to fill, at least part, of that gap with this story.

Barnaby West thought he had a great life. He had four surrogate uncles, a man who was his father in all the ways that mattered and a life full of adventure. The year he turned 17 would turn out to be one of his most challenging and he would need all his courage and resolve to survive. Thankfully, he had all of his Wagon Train family and a new one in Laramie to help him.

When a man feels like he has reached an impossible end, the road he chooses to take winds up leading the Sherman household along the same dangerous trail.

The American poet Walt Whitman wrote movingly about soldiers he had met in army hospitals during the Civil War-in particular, one badly wounded young man who impressed him with his character and great courage. Could Jess Harper have been that soldier? What would the young Texas rebel have thought of the rebel poet from New York? What would the poet have thought of him?

Sunrise was coming, but the sky was dark and inky black, the black of loss. Even the stars that had popped out could not touch the black of the tragedy that had just occurred. Slim and Jess lay dying and the murderer waited for the inevitable. When Jess rallied, he pulled out another bag of tricks, attempted murder, robbery and a vicious rumour.

Further adventures of the mighty mallard and his faithful 'pet'. Originally intended for Fathers' Day - but the best laid plans of ducks and their chroniclers can go astray!

Jess escorts a dangerous prisoner from Laramie to Rawlins, but nothing goes as planned. Traveller as a hostage; thievin', murderin' outlaws; a pair of handcuffs; homemade cider; mistaken identity; and learning the hard way to accept the help of friends.

A short story that offers a little more insight into our beloved Jess Harper. This time, it's a look at his birthday and the unusual attitude he has about it. (Story posted on this day in tribute to the talented actor who, for so many of us, is the ultimate cowboy and a man of honor who deserves to be honored: the phenomenal Robert Fuller, born July 29, 1933.)

A man comes for revenge on Jess Harper, putting both Jess and his best friend Slim Sherman in mortal danger.

The scheme was simple, dupe the people, rob the shopkeepers and get away. That is, until they met the Sherman-Harper family. Inspired by episode 10 season 2 " Drifter's Gold", this tale takes us into the world of fake medicine and a quack doctor. I don't own the rights to Laramie I just like to play.

When a drifter shows up at the Sherman Ranch looking for work and holding a grudge, Slim, Jess, and Andy find themselves in more trouble than they could have possibly imagined.

A woman from Jess' past tries to save his life and escape her own.

In the early days, before Daisy Cooper comes to live at the ranch, Slim Sherman and Jess Harper try to raise an orphan boy named Mike Williams. When Mike confuses two words and runs away, the family bonds are tested. This tale is an early Father's Day "present"

When Slim receives a message that his best friend Jess Harper has been taken by a pair of convicted murderers, he knows he has to save him. The only problem? He doesn't know where to find him, and the only man who can help him is Henry Shaw, who is currently being held in the Laramie jail on his own murder charges.

The summary being too long to fit in this space, it is written after my author's note at the beginning of chapter one. But to pull you in, this is a poignant line that fits into the summary. Slim says to the killer, "You don't know Jess Harper."

Was the poem "Die Loreley" and the haunting melody the inspiration for a story? A tag end and continuation of one of the episodes

If you look with your heart to see the good in people, you will usually find it. Like Andy did. *****To hear a recording of this poem read by the author, please go to SoundCloud dot com (search for A Michigan Skylark in Laramie)

Despite Francie's claim that he "never was much of a hand to write," Jess is undeniably a letter writer. We know he writes to Gil Brady, Galveston's sheriff, Jim Tenny, & to Slim. In the vivid & playful letter Jess sends home in "Duel at Alta Mesa" we hear a mixture of irony, simile, humor, & thinly veiled homesickness. For a recording of this poem, please go to SoundCloud dot com.

Something that can't be seen shouldn't be feared, should it?

Slim and Jess have always been respectful of women and children of all ages. One April day they come face to face with the evils of child abuse. It will threaten their entire family. Rated "T" for safety. I don't own the characters of Laramie, I just like to play.

Jess Harper has been at Sherman Ranch for only two weeks when he hears news about outlaw Frank Bannister. His reaction starts Slim Sherman on a discovery about his new ranch hand's violent past and volatile future. To build a friendship, they both will have to get through a passel of troubles and dangers! (Fills in some blanks and missing scenes for the "Men of Defiance" episode.)