Two Stellas
Trying to imagine who Grandma was.13 total reviews
Comment from Mark D. R.
Rod,
A very nice story/biography about your Stellas.
I am big into genealogy and am willing to help you discover your father's heritage. In the meantime, you might find his arrival on the Ellis Island web site. The myth is that names were changed at the embarkation place or upon arrival. Just as today, you get on the boat with one name and get off with the same name - otherwise you might be a stowaway if you could not prove your identity. The 1950 census data may be free to access at ancestry.com. If you can see it, then you might discover his birth country. I have access through my subscription for the 1930 and 1940 censuses and possibly immigration or naturalization documents and the WW2 Draft registration cards.
Mark
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2022
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Rod,
A very nice story/biography about your Stellas.
I am big into genealogy and am willing to help you discover your father's heritage. In the meantime, you might find his arrival on the Ellis Island web site. The myth is that names were changed at the embarkation place or upon arrival. Just as today, you get on the boat with one name and get off with the same name - otherwise you might be a stowaway if you could not prove your identity. The 1950 census data may be free to access at ancestry.com. If you can see it, then you might discover his birth country. I have access through my subscription for the 1930 and 1940 censuses and possibly immigration or naturalization documents and the WW2 Draft registration cards.
Mark
Comment Written 09-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2022
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Hi, Mark. Thank you so much for reading my story, those six bright stars and that fabulous offer. My son is the genealogy guru in the family and has done a lot of research on the family tree. The problem with seeking info about my father was that he was so secretive and volunteered nothing. "It?s best you not know," he always told me. "So please not ask." I?ve chosen to keep my promise and not to dig. Rod
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OK, I accept your wisdom.
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Rod,
I enjoyed the enthusiasm that young Stella had while looking at the family photo album. And also, that her grandfather was engaging her in conversation.
But I had to re-read the story a couple of times. The little girl is just 11 years old, but quite knowledgeable for her age. Sometimes I'd have to check to see who was speaking... the grandfather or young Stella. For example, she said: "Tall and movie-star slim." I would think an 11 year old girl would say, "Tall and slim, like a movie star." And she referred to "the Great War" and "Moulin Rouge". All this being said, young Stella may have been extremely smart. That's very possible.
She seemed quite upset that there were no pictures of her grandfather's paternal grandmother. This was my favorite part of the story...
"Stella burrowed into the sofa's distant corner. She frowned at the album, then me.
"Did he ever describe her?"
"All I know is she was born in America and had your name."
"Stella?"
I nodded.
"Was she pretty, Grandpa?"
Nice entry for the contest. I wish you "Good Luck"!
Cheers,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2022
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Hi Rod,
I enjoyed the enthusiasm that young Stella had while looking at the family photo album. And also, that her grandfather was engaging her in conversation.
But I had to re-read the story a couple of times. The little girl is just 11 years old, but quite knowledgeable for her age. Sometimes I'd have to check to see who was speaking... the grandfather or young Stella. For example, she said: "Tall and movie-star slim." I would think an 11 year old girl would say, "Tall and slim, like a movie star." And she referred to "the Great War" and "Moulin Rouge". All this being said, young Stella may have been extremely smart. That's very possible.
She seemed quite upset that there were no pictures of her grandfather's paternal grandmother. This was my favorite part of the story...
"Stella burrowed into the sofa's distant corner. She frowned at the album, then me.
"Did he ever describe her?"
"All I know is she was born in America and had your name."
"Stella?"
I nodded.
"Was she pretty, Grandpa?"
Nice entry for the contest. I wish you "Good Luck"!
Cheers,
Kimbob
Comment Written 07-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2022
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Thank you so much, Kimbob, for taking the time to read my story so closely and ask questions. Stella is very precocious and DOES have that kind of vocabulary. Where it comes from, don?t ask me. Rod
Comment from Scott Rhodie
A few grammar points. Para 19 = reddish, Para 20 = his, Para 27 = witty, Para 28 = words, Para 29 = ,and . A nice rounded story with your little partner keeping you right.
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
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A few grammar points. Para 19 = reddish, Para 20 = his, Para 27 = witty, Para 28 = words, Para 29 = ,and . A nice rounded story with your little partner keeping you right.
Comment Written 04-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Scott, for sharing my story and pointing out grammar errors. Rod
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No problem.
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent story, and well written as Stella tries to understand her ancestors and also see where her looks and personality come from. Best wishes for your entry.
Wendy
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
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Excellent story, and well written as Stella tries to understand her ancestors and also see where her looks and personality come from. Best wishes for your entry.
Wendy
Comment Written 04-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
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Hi, Wendy. I am delighted you enjoyed meeting the younger Stella. Many thanks for the best wishes and your praise. Rod
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent crisp dialogue which characterizes the narrator and Stella. Clever way to fit in physical description. Stella wants to romanticize their relationship. A six for that clever ending.
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
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Excellent crisp dialogue which characterizes the narrator and Stella. Clever way to fit in physical description. Stella wants to romanticize their relationship. A six for that clever ending.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
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I really appreciate your wonderful praise of my story, Spitfire, and that six-star bonus. I am so pleased you like the dialog and my "clever" ending. Rod
Comment from Sugarray77
This is sooo good and I enjoyed each piece of the dialogue you shared. The characterization of the little Stella and her curiosity is the strength of this piece and you handled it with finesse and humor. I loved this entire story. Good luck, Rod!
Melissa
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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This is sooo good and I enjoyed each piece of the dialogue you shared. The characterization of the little Stella and her curiosity is the strength of this piece and you handled it with finesse and humor. I loved this entire story. Good luck, Rod!
Melissa
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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Ah, Melissa, you made my day with your marvelous response to my story. I am thrilled you loved the whole story. And many thanks for those six bright stars. Rod
Comment from royowen
This is deeply touching, I have only one granddaughter, four grandsons, but Indah is the writer, and she is a brilliant dancer, I love them all, but Indah is the one who experienced God in a deep abiding way at her baptism, your granddaughter reminds me of my beloved granddaughter. Beautifully written Rod, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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This is deeply touching, I have only one granddaughter, four grandsons, but Indah is the writer, and she is a brilliant dancer, I love them all, but Indah is the one who experienced God in a deep abiding way at her baptism, your granddaughter reminds me of my beloved granddaughter. Beautifully written Rod, blessings Roy
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Roy, for the lovely tribute to my granddaughter. It does appear Indah and Stella are much alike. Rod
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That?s right, what a sweet girl is Stella, bucketloads of joy.
Comment from LisaMay
I love how this exchange between you and your granddaughter ignited her imagination. A simple question led to an examination of family history, and the unanswerable gaps in it.
Your dialogue is natural and engaging. I began to see all the characters clearly and was left wondering myself.
This is a great line: Stella preened and her grin grabbed both ears.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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I love how this exchange between you and your granddaughter ignited her imagination. A simple question led to an examination of family history, and the unanswerable gaps in it.
Your dialogue is natural and engaging. I began to see all the characters clearly and was left wondering myself.
This is a great line: Stella preened and her grin grabbed both ears.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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Lisa, thank you so much for your wonderful praise and all those bright stars. I am especially pleased you enjoyed meeting younger Stella. She is the human equivalent of your Lily, always on the go and curious about everything. Rod
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She sounds a delight - I enjoyed meeting her.
(I am utterly perplexed by the voting - your story is head and shoulders above the rest in writing ability as well as the characters. It also fits the prompt best which seems to indicate three generations should be in the story.)
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I appreciate your kudos, Lisa. I was surprised the voting lasts three days when there are only three entries.
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Very odd. Me being cynical - It gives someone with a loyal following plenty of time to gather the troops.
Comment from Ric Myworld
All we can tell is what we know, and whatever might have been shared with us. But whatever we've learned from others, and not actually seen, often doesn't resemble the truth. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
Your outstanding writing is always a pleasure to read.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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All we can tell is what we know, and whatever might have been shared with us. But whatever we've learned from others, and not actually seen, often doesn't resemble the truth. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
Your outstanding writing is always a pleasure to read.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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Hi, Ric. It?s always a pleasure to hear from you. I am delighted you enjoyed meeting the Stellas. Rod
Comment from Carolyn Dooley
It does not matter where you came from, you are you. And I loved this story. It sounds like bought Stella's were alike. My uncle told me at my dad's funeral in 1992, our last name was changed. My great-grandfather came from Germany. Our name was Lotz, not Lott. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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It does not matter where you came from, you are you. And I loved this story. It sounds like bought Stella's were alike. My uncle told me at my dad's funeral in 1992, our last name was changed. My great-grandfather came from Germany. Our name was Lotz, not Lott. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
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I am so pleased you enjoyed meeting the Stellas, Carolyn. I suppose it doesn?t matter where my father came from, but I?d still like to know more of his story. Rod
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Good luck.
