Reviews from

Recess

A reminder to take time to play.

11 total reviews 
Comment from mvbrooks
Excellent
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I definitely remember putting the sticky whirligig on my nose, but I didn't know to pick up an acorn to whistle in its cap. I'll have to give that a try next time I encounter one. Grown up coffee breaks are no match for the recess times of our youth. Thanks for sharing the memories.

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 18-Mar-2018
    You have to hold that cap a certain way and then blow in it to get the whistle just right. It's tricky, but with practice, it will work. Thank you for your comments and review. Blessings!
Comment from giraffmang
Excellent
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Hi there,

It may be an idea to incorporate line breaks into this. Leaving a clear line between paragraphs makes for a cleaner write which is easier to follow. Not so important on shorter pieces but it is a good habit to adopt on site as many folk simply skip over blocks of unbroken text.

Take out the seed from a whirlygig and place that whirlygig on your nose. - I think the word is whirligig and this must be a colloquialism as it is normally meant as a spinning toy or a certain type of washing line. Maybe it's a sycamore seed?

I have a six year old daughter and we are always outside. It's so important to have a good balance in life in general.

Nice piece.
GMG

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2018
    Thank you for your feedback and review. I appreciate your thoughts on this. I didn't break up the paragraphs so it would make it appear to be shorter read. I know what you are saying, though. I do believe that sometimes if it seems too long, some will pass it by rather than read it. Much appreciated about the whirligig suggestions. It looked up the spelling but will do so again and was stumped on how to explain it. Wishing you many fun days outside with your daughter. They grow up fast! (Mine are 29 and 35 now--I can't believe it!). Blessings!
Comment from Commando
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

OMG! I wish I could spell 'AWESOME'. Aw, I believe I did it! On a scale of 1-10, I'd give this presentation an 11. "Listen up, students! It's time for recess. So, hurry on out to the ole' oak tree in back, listen to the birds sing, and watch them feed their babies in the nest." "Yes, Ma'am," I said! Then hit the door 'a running, and was first to the tree. Sweet Jesus! A baby bird was 'a sitting on the edge of the nest, stretched out its wings, then flew down to me. I held it in my hand, rubber it's little head, and said, "oh, my goodness! Your ribs are 'a poking out. How long since you've been fed?" "Okay, children, recess is over, come on back inside and finish your studies. I'm gonna dismiss school early, because the road is slick and muddy." Hmm! I'll never forget that recess, because it's etched in my mind. Therefore, to those who say, "We're too old to play--I say, speak for yourselves!" "Come on, Grandpa, let's go play some ball. Your arthritis is 'a sleeping." Shee! To the author I say, "Best wishes that your tomorrow's have long recesses, and God bless!"
xx Bill

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2018
    Thank you so much for the 6-star review and great feedback. I am honored! As I've said before, I love your writing and this response/recess memory made me smile. We are never to old to play! Hooray! So...LET's GO! (Tag...you're it!) :)
    Wishing you the best of tomorrow's filled with long recesses as well. God Bless! xx Cathy
reply by Commando on 17-Mar-2018
    Oh, you didn't 'Tag me--You missed me', Ha,ha!
    xx Bill
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2018
    I'll get you next time! Just you wait and see! Ha,Ha... xx Cathy
reply by Commando on 17-Mar-2018
    Catch me--"If you can!" Question? What will you do to me--"If you catch me?" Hmm--I bet I know?
    xx Bill
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2018
    Oh, I have ways and I never give up. It's going to be GRAND! :) xx Cathy
reply by Commando on 17-Mar-2018
    Did you ever hear the phrase, "If promises were horses, then beggars would ride?" Or, is it, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride?" Oh, I don't know--"Do you?"
    xx Bill
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2018
    "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
    If turnips were bayonets, I'd wear one by my side."
    I prefer this one: "When you wish upon a star
    Makes no difference who you are
    Anything your heart desires will come to you." Lyrics from a song by Linda Ronstadt. Beautiful song. Look it up. xx Cathy
reply by Commando on 17-Mar-2018
    Yes! Beautiful song by Linda Ronstadt. I've heard it many a time!
    xx Bill
Comment from Marge Setzer
Excellent
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I remember playing baseball with the boys and riding my bike to the park. There was a field at the end of the street where we made paths, and I roller skated on the driveways that were paved. I also remember working on a Royal typewriter that required muscle-power to operate the keys. I don't care to repeat that and am glad for the computer and word processor. Many of the old games we invented, the snowmen we built, and the sleds we lugged to the nearest hill were fun, but that was then. The games and videos of today will have the same nostalgia for today's kids as marbles and putting on a show (like Mickey Rooney) had for my dad. As for creativity, I personally think that creative problem solving should be taught in the schools and reinforced daily. That's a skill that can be taught and applied to all life's needs. Thanks for your trip down memory lane. Marge

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2018
    Hi Marge! Thank you for sharing your memories and thank you for the review. You are right. I'm sure all generations have their own memories they cherish. I never liked those manual typewriters. It's funny that I worked with a younger woman a few years back and she'd never used any type of typewriter in her life. I'm thankful as well for the computer. I can't imagine how long it takes to write a book manuscript (never mind edit it) using only a typewriter. Yes, creative problem solving should be taught in schools and reinforced. I hope it is at least encouraged. Blessings to you!
Comment from Alexander Vasa
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Good message in your writing, we all have such busy lives, it is hard to prioritize and do the things that other generations took for granted. I enjoyed your writing and the list of things that mean something to you. Things that help us to quieten ourselves and appreciate the beautiful world we live in. Nice job, and thanks for sharing your writing, Ana.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2018
    Thank you for reading this and thank you for your kind words and review. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Many blessings to you. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day! If there wasn't so much snow on the ground here, I'd go in search of a 4-leaf clover! Something else I remember doing as a kid. :)
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You are right Catherine. We are tied to our devices & forget the simple things that can bring joy for a long time. Kids & adults both need to be reminded of your great words. GO outside & EXPERIENCE nature at her best. Each area has beauty & fun just waiting. Great message contained in your essay. Thanks for sharing & caring. Jan

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 14-Mar-2018
    Thank you SO MUCH, Jan! Receiving a 6-star review from an awesome writer like you is an honor. Yes, it's true. Experience nature and enjoying the great outdoors is so important. We can never say we're bored - there's so much to discover! And being a good example for our kids is important. Well said. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing and caring, too! God Bless!
Comment from royowen
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An excellent article Catherine, yes indeed, take time to play with your grandchildren, relax with one's wife, be inventive, make a billycart, (which we did as kids, there was never enough money to buy one) a wooden sword, a leanto cubby. Somebody once said, "we're so busy doing urgent things, and have no time to do important things" they are so right. Well done, good job, fantastic writen, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 14-Mar-2018
    I had to look up what a billy cart was! Like a go-cart for going downhill? Yes, fun! I remember we had go-carts with little engines too. My brother had one, lost the breaks to it coming into our garage and slammed into a saw horse and broke a few fingers. I remember having a wooden sword and also my mom made a hat and sword out of newspaper. It's making me feel like a kid again! Thank you so much for that! And thank you for your comments and review. Much appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now, let's all go out and play! Blessings. :)
reply by royowen on 14-Mar-2018
    It took me back to those wonderful halcyon days, wondrrful, thank you. Yes Go-carts were those motorised mower like vehicles with two stroke motors or even powerful four stroke, we had race tracks here fo them. Sigh.
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
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Amazing advice, my friend. You seemed to have captured the essence of what used to be good in life, and what children are truly missing these days.

A Recess is exactly what they need. We all do. Good for you for bringing it up.

Take care,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 14-Mar-2018
    I'm glad that the message got across well. We all need to play more! Thank you so much for your comments and review. I'm glad you agree and you are right! It's sad to think children are growing up too fast too soon. They're missing out and so are we. I just took up running a couple years ago. Love it! Highly recommend. There's nothing like that fresh air! God Bless.
Comment from zekeziemann
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Amen! Get off the IPhone, the TV, the computer and play! We are a nation of out of shape kids which seemed unbelievable a generation ago. Well done.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 14-Mar-2018
    It's not as easy as it seems, is it? I have my phone with me always and I'm at the computer all day. As for TV, I could live without it. You are right thought. We need to play and kids are out of shape. I can remember kickball, hide and seek, riding my bike, etc. and never wanting to be indoors until I had to. Great memories. Thank you so much for your comments and review. Much appreciated! Blessings!
Comment from Sharon Haiste
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Well said.
I also remember when things were simpler, and we did use our imagination before we were told what to think, as it is now.
Thank you for the walk down memory lane with your well written piece.
Sharon

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 Comment Written 13-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 14-Mar-2018
    We can still enjoy the simple things--simple things are the best! Thank you for your comments and review. Much appreciated. I'm glad you thought it was well-written and you took a stroll down memory lane. :) God Bless!