I was dead-serious about your writing, Krystal. Keep writing; I've got areas which need improving.

I understand why people occasionally have doubts. Two of my teachers in college told me they couldn't always tell when I was being straight with them and when I was or wasn't. That's thanks to the Navy, where four years gets you a bachelors in BSing.

For the record, if I display any skill at writing, it's not homegrown. I can't grow anything; ask my former house plants. It was all acquired from people whose pieces I've read. Writers here on Medium. Ones at The Atlantic. Robert Leckie. Ernest Gann. James Fallows. Mad Magazine.