When Blood Collides
Viewing comments for Chapter 48 "The Tell-Tale Present "A family's love is tested.
20 total reviews
Comment from MsPetra
This offering is well written. You did a great job on this. I wouldn't change a thing. It is memories like this that really stand out. We writers work them out with words.
Family is difficult to deal with under the best of circumstances. You rose above it. That's better than digging ditches to fall in.
I like that you wrote this in creative non-fiction mode. It makes for a more engaging read. You are good at what you do.
Please keep writing. I will be looking forward to future offerings from you.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2015
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This offering is well written. You did a great job on this. I wouldn't change a thing. It is memories like this that really stand out. We writers work them out with words.
Family is difficult to deal with under the best of circumstances. You rose above it. That's better than digging ditches to fall in.
I like that you wrote this in creative non-fiction mode. It makes for a more engaging read. You are good at what you do.
Please keep writing. I will be looking forward to future offerings from you.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2015
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Thank you, MsPetra. Always good to new name and to get their reaction to this part of the story without having read the other chapters. Creative non-fiction. That's a good term for it.
Comment from Curly Girly
Typo:
service, [space] he urged
Oh, sexual attraction in the workplace is such a no-no. Piggy Eyes--love the name!
She has her new favourite, and I reckon you can't compete here ...
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2015
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Typo:
service, [space] he urged
Oh, sexual attraction in the workplace is such a no-no. Piggy Eyes--love the name!
She has her new favourite, and I reckon you can't compete here ...
Comment Written 15-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2015
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Typo fixed. Hey, where else can you meet men except in a bar?
LOL.
I flirted outrageously with a substitute who looked like Superman. Just because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can' look at the cupcakes. :-)
Comment from mermaids
Your husband is a person who thinks about stuff, the letter is great, he realizes that he shouldn't argue with the relatives. It usually adds fuel to the fire. I am sorry the honor classes were assigned to another teacher. I have attended some free yoga classes at a local senior center and found them helpful, like the meditation you describe that you do every day, it does reduce anxiety. I hope to get back to doing yoga in the Fall.
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2015
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Your husband is a person who thinks about stuff, the letter is great, he realizes that he shouldn't argue with the relatives. It usually adds fuel to the fire. I am sorry the honor classes were assigned to another teacher. I have attended some free yoga classes at a local senior center and found them helpful, like the meditation you describe that you do every day, it does reduce anxiety. I hope to get back to doing yoga in the Fall.
Comment Written 14-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2015
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Yoga certainly beats pills with their after effects. Deep breathing clears the lungs as well as the head. :-)
Comment from IndianaIrish
What a sweet note Frank left for you,mShari. It must have ment the world to you. And he was so right, you handled the three of them with matipurity and placed you far above their childish, revengeful behavior. He had reason to be proud of you!
Smiles,
Karyn :-)
You need a quote mark at the very end of the story, after fall.
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2015
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What a sweet note Frank left for you,mShari. It must have ment the world to you. And he was so right, you handled the three of them with matipurity and placed you far above their childish, revengeful behavior. He had reason to be proud of you!
Smiles,
Karyn :-)
You need a quote mark at the very end of the story, after fall.
Comment Written 14-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2015
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Thanks for catching the spag, Karyn. What a keen eye you have. Frank's apology meant a lot, but habits are hard to break as you'll see in the next post.
Comment from Walu Feral
G'day Shari. On the roller coaster goes mate.Frank moves forward and the boss knocks you back a few steps. You must have thrown your hands in the air. Great work on this chapter again my friend and I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle this bloody shock. Cheers Fez
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2015
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G'day Shari. On the roller coaster goes mate.Frank moves forward and the boss knocks you back a few steps. You must have thrown your hands in the air. Great work on this chapter again my friend and I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle this bloody shock. Cheers Fez
Comment Written 14-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2015
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Let me just say, this was the straw that broke the camel's back.
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I do believe in the old saying that bad things come in 3's. Let's just hope good things do as well huh.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Oh, what a bitch! As if Arthur would have any interest in PIggy Eyes if she was good to him. Silly old fool has to go and mess up your life because she's so pathetic. Grrr...
Btw, I would've let Frank say and do whatever he wanted with those sisters. I think they need to be told how disgusting they are. Sure, it wouldn't help you at all, but things couldn't be much worse anyway. :(
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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Oh, what a bitch! As if Arthur would have any interest in PIggy Eyes if she was good to him. Silly old fool has to go and mess up your life because she's so pathetic. Grrr...
Btw, I would've let Frank say and do whatever he wanted with those sisters. I think they need to be told how disgusting they are. Sure, it wouldn't help you at all, but things couldn't be much worse anyway. :(
Comment Written 13-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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She fantasied I bet. We were all shocked a year later when he married the chubby head of the math department!
You reminded me of time Frank did tell Anne off and she told him to butt out. He wasn't family.
Comment from ProSongwriter
Hi Shari ...
I've been away from the site for about 3 months c.. had a minor stroke and some of other issues. I starting to get back to the the things I used to do all the time. I'm taking it gradually, not trying to jump "all in". A measured approach will probably bring more success and enjoyment.
So very nice to read you again. I know I've missed a number of chapters. But your writing is so encompassing, I feel I can pick up at this point and still have a grasp for the stroy.
Good ole Frank showing a more subtle and appreciative side with his note. That must have been a small blessing!
Cremation ashes in a paper bag? Uh .... no! As I think you know, our oldest son passed away of cancer in March of this year. He was cremated. His ashed in several very nice urns. A paper bag would have been cause for major discussion!
Hmmm ... Piggy Eyes playing up to Arthur ... and then putting the expense on you. Now ain't that just downright shitty!
Your typical wonderful writing and great story telling! Enjoyed my read a lot. Hugs ...
ALan
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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Hi Shari ...
I've been away from the site for about 3 months c.. had a minor stroke and some of other issues. I starting to get back to the the things I used to do all the time. I'm taking it gradually, not trying to jump "all in". A measured approach will probably bring more success and enjoyment.
So very nice to read you again. I know I've missed a number of chapters. But your writing is so encompassing, I feel I can pick up at this point and still have a grasp for the stroy.
Good ole Frank showing a more subtle and appreciative side with his note. That must have been a small blessing!
Cremation ashes in a paper bag? Uh .... no! As I think you know, our oldest son passed away of cancer in March of this year. He was cremated. His ashed in several very nice urns. A paper bag would have been cause for major discussion!
Hmmm ... Piggy Eyes playing up to Arthur ... and then putting the expense on you. Now ain't that just downright shitty!
Your typical wonderful writing and great story telling! Enjoyed my read a lot. Hugs ...
ALan
Comment Written 13-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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Hey, Alan. I was just thinking about you the other day when I saw an old couple packing their stuff into a moving van. A stroke is nothing to joke about. So do take it easy. I'm confused--ashes in several urns? Did everyone get the small sizes and divide them? I'm truly sorry for the loss of your son. I know I plan to keep hubby's ashes at home until I die too. We'll be in the same urn in a Veteran's Cemetery forty miles away.
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Hi Shari ...
Thank you for your kind words. And I am, indeed, easing back into things slowly. I am so fortunate to have regained the majority of my abilities. My typing nver was all that good ... it's noticeably worse now. Spellchecker helps ... but it's not the end-all.
Yes, Jeff's ashes were divided into several urns. His wife has the larger of the two. She sent us a small urn, about the size of a small salt shaker, with some of his ashes. That was very thoughtful of her.
My wife has lost both of her sons at an early age. Jeff, as I just mentioned, was cremated. He was 49 years old - renal & lung cancer. He was a non-smoker. Randy was 33 ... died in a car accident. He is buried next to my wife's parents in a small town in Tennessee. She wants her ashes scattered over their graves. She has a surviving daughter but they are estranged.
As far as me, I told my wife to give my two surviving kids a small urn with some of my ashes and to scatter the remainder in front of the baseball park (Busch Stadium) in St. Louis. You may have guessed I'm a big Cardinals fan!
Anyway, thank you for the kind reply to my review. Wishing you and Frank the very best!
Alan
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Thanks for sharing your stories. I've been most fortunate with my children so far. I can only imagine how crushing to lose those whom you brought into this world.
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Sometimes it's cathartic to express the things that bother us. I know for me it usually is. And thanks for the kind thoughts. It is crushing to lose a child. But once you get through that, there ain't a damned thing in this word that can beat you down!
Hugs ...
Alan
Comment from sibhus
Why, why, why does the universe put assholes in charge. The scum always rises to the top. Oh, never mind, I won't get started. Good chapter, and it was good to see Frank able to accept the situation. The last twist does not look good. Good stuff there, Spitfire.
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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Why, why, why does the universe put assholes in charge. The scum always rises to the top. Oh, never mind, I won't get started. Good chapter, and it was good to see Frank able to accept the situation. The last twist does not look good. Good stuff there, Spitfire.
Comment Written 13-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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Thanks, husky. It does seem like the scum always rises. Just see who wins the presidency. :-)
Comment from alexisleech
I'm glad Frank appreciated the effort you made to stay calm at the funeral. Now I know you do Yoga, it explains a lot. Like Frank, I would have difficulty keeping my cool!
As to Mr. Good-looking getting the eleventh-grade honor classes, who cares - or did you? I look forward to finding out.
Alexis xxx
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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I'm glad Frank appreciated the effort you made to stay calm at the funeral. Now I know you do Yoga, it explains a lot. Like Frank, I would have difficulty keeping my cool!
As to Mr. Good-looking getting the eleventh-grade honor classes, who cares - or did you? I look forward to finding out.
Alexis xxx
Comment Written 13-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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Readers wondered how I kept it together. Yoga was the secret. But losing my classes was the straw that broke my back.
Comment from judiverse
What a sweet gesture on your husband's part. I'm glad you included that. He realized you had taken the high road and tried to keep peace in the family. That was indeed a kick, the announcement that Arthur was getting the honors classes. Shame on Miss Piggy! Arthur probably didn't have to do much to get the position except dazzle her a bit. Too bad that it happened just after your mother's death, too. this makes for intense reading. judi
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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What a sweet gesture on your husband's part. I'm glad you included that. He realized you had taken the high road and tried to keep peace in the family. That was indeed a kick, the announcement that Arthur was getting the honors classes. Shame on Miss Piggy! Arthur probably didn't have to do much to get the position except dazzle her a bit. Too bad that it happened just after your mother's death, too. this makes for intense reading. judi
Comment Written 13-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2015
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The timing couldn't have been worse. I had held it together, but now...
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It certainly was bad timing. Just when you needed another blow. judi
