Reviews from

Mother Nature's Artwork

An ice storm in the fifties.

26 total reviews 
Comment from Mabaker
Excellent
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I have never seen snow. I live in a country that has snow fields that skiers come from hundreds of miles to enjoy, but me I've never been that keen. So thrilled with your fantastic picture of a sight I've never seen. Regards Mabaker

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 21-Mar-2017
    Thank you for reading and commenting. Snow can be a pain in the keister sometimes, but I wouldn't want to live where the seasons don't include snow.
Comment from Thomas Bowling
Excellent
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A great contest entry. I'm sure you will do well.
I like the picture of you on the cow. I don't recognize the breed. We raised Black Angus.

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 21-Mar-2017
    Thank you for reading and commenting. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.
Comment from Meia (MESAYERS)
Excellent
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My dad did lose most of the young cherry trees he planted in the fall, and a lot of the older fruit trees sustained quite a bit of damage. Other than that we came through in excellent shape. I never forgot the incredible beauty of the ice-covered land. It is something I will remember to my grave. '
What a beautiful image, a beautiful write. Thankyou so much for sharing this wonderful story with us, love Meia x


 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thanks for reading and commenting. I have never forgotten the beauty of that ice storm.
Comment from Margaret Snowdon
Excellent
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That was a pretty dramatic experience, April -
I've never been through an icestorm, altho
we lived further up North of England for 10 years
and we used to get snowed in - you couldn't let
the dog out or your toddlers, as they'd sink down
in the snow. The men had to dig their way out
and put chains on the car wheels in order to get
to work - as no work meant no pay in those days.
I found this an interesting read, my friend.
Good luck with the contest.

Margaret

In all my life(,) I never
Other than that(,) we

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thank you for reviewing this writing, Margaret. Thanks for the catches too, I will edit and correct. I have never witnessed another storm to compare with that one.
Comment from Mastery
Excellent
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Hi, April. I don't remember that storm but then again, I wasn't living in Michigan in the fifties either.

Your narration of this story is very well done. I liked this similie in particular:
"In the front yard, electric lines were strung across the ground like broken guitar strings." (brilliant)

I wish you the best of luck in thr contest, neighbor. Bob

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thanks, neighbor Bob. The winters in Michigan used to be much worse than today.
Comment from apky
Excellent
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Come daylight; the silence seemed ominous following the storm. I ventured from under the warm covers to see what it looked like outside. What I observed was nothing less than awesome.
In all my life I never saw anything as beautiful. In every direction, the land was sculpted, each fold of the ground, and every tree outlined in stark silver contrast to the crystalline dome of the sky. Everything glowed as if possessed with an unearthly tint of blue. The dawn seemed eerily bright in the frozen land. ~ just a trivial bit: didn't you want to separate the 2 paragraphs?

Other than that, a very enjoyable remembrance story.

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thank you for the catch, my friend. I will edit and correct. People like you make life better for us novice writers.
reply by apky on 21-Mar-2017
    Any time, fellow writer.
Comment from Marvin Calloway
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Your description sounds beautiful and vivid, I'm able to picture the scene with or without the accompanying photo.
Inspiring prose. Although I do wish you had a photo of it.
Thank you.
Marv

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thanks, Marvin. I wish I had some photos of it too. I will check with my older sister to find out if she has any. Thanks for the six stars, they are appreciated.
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
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Thank you for the beautiful description of the post winter storm decoration. I also like how you showed the practical adult side of how to cope with the storm as well as the child's wonder at the natural beauty.
minor spag:
"who depended on electric to live" (probably meant "electricity" here)

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Yep, I probably did mean electricity. I will edit and correct. Thanks for the catch.
Comment from zanya
Excellent
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A most interesting and immediate account of what must be a rare natural event - the tension builds gradually 'my father paced the floor'- it's striking how the landscape changed 'the land was sculpted'

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thank you, my friend. It was awesome. No other word could describe the beauty.
Comment from LateBloomer
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Hello prettybluebirds, a wonderful walk back in history. I enjoyed how your story unfolded from hiding under your quilt to the awesome wonder of the early dawn frozen forevermore in your memory. Of special note:

Fortunately, our family didn't rely on electricity to survive. Wood was our source of heat, and mom cooked on a wood cook stove. A pump-jack, run by either an electric or gas engine, provided our water. Even our toilet was a no-flush outdoor version.

(Fortunate indeed. Modern day's dependence upon electricity is scary. I've been lamenting for years that one day the American people are going to wake up to find that our grid has been hacked and it (and we, America) are being controlled by another nation. I also liked your reference to the outhouse. I've wondered how many homes across America still use an outhouse? Just sharing here ... My Grandmother converted to indoor plumbing in the mid 1960's, but the new modern bathroom would only be used during the night or during the frigid winter, i.e. the new cost of public water was a financial concern. So, the old outhouse remained until after my grandparents died. One thing for sure, people need to think more, and be aware, that one day our lights might go out for a very long time and how will we survive day-to-day?)

Thank you for sharing your winter wonderland wonder with us. This story was a pleasure to read. I usually only read poetry, but your story caught my eye and kept my interest to the very end when the cherry trees died. A pleasure to read. As this is a contest entry, I wish you good luck.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017
    Thank you. I'm honored to think a confirmed poet would read my writing. I believe I have read some of your poems on this site.