Reviews from

A Slice of Apple Pie

Dialogue Only

39 total reviews 
Comment from Jamison Brown
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I just can't imagine a story being more perfect, Diane. This is so reminiscent of my mother's struggles. There were many conversations like this with her...

Thank you for guiding me to this. I will not forget it... - Jamison

P S I picked up a few things from your technique...I'll bet you were/are an amazing teacher.

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 26-Feb-2023
    Hello, Jamison,
    I am truly honored by your exceptional rating and complimentary review.
    This piece was - and remains - the most difficult piece I have ever penned.
    My mother was a master floral designer - so creative, vibrant, and a trailblazer for women's rights...To watch her suffer the effects of Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis, and dementia was devastating to behold...
    Tomorrow, February 27th is the 100th anniversary of her birth; she is never more than a thought away...

    Oh... and as for teaching... I retired in 2016 after nearly forty years of teaching students English, literature, writing, and sociology. I miss it all...

    Thank you again, Jamison
    diane
Comment from Margaret Bednar
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh. This is lovely. Endearing, tender, emotional. I want to hug it to me. Well, I can bookmark it. I wish I had written this lovely poem. Thank you for pointing me towards it.

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2020


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    Thank you, Margaret
    One of the most difficult pieces I have ever penned.
    I am honored that you found the time to read it... I'd give anything to have my mom alive and whole...

    Take Care!
    diane
reply by Margaret Bednar on 16-Jun-2020
    It should be published. ARE you published?
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    I published a book of poetry and short stories in 2008: At the Water's Edge.
    Publisher was a twit.
    The entire experience left me more than disappointed.
    Have never attempted again...
reply by Margaret Bednar on 16-Jun-2020
    Well, I'd be first in line to purchase.
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    Wow!
    What a wonderful message to receive!
    Smiles all around!

    Well... now you've got me thinking!
    I'll keep you posted! :)
reply by Margaret Bednar on 16-Jun-2020
    Well, your archive of poems look lovely and I hope to find time to peruse through them soon - I will have a bit of a vacation on a long stretch of ocean island come mid July. Please DO keep me informed if you publish. Until then, I will have to make use of "bookmark".
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    Thank you ever so much, Margaret!
    What a lovely message at the end of this beautiful day...

    Take Care!
    diane
Comment from jmdg1954
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

First, congrats on winning the contest. Second, an excellent dialogue only story that is so true.

I had my wife read it as we finally (no longer had a choice) had to put my mother-in-law in the care of a nursing home.

I read this story and visualized my wife with her mother in this.

Sad, but true, every line including the last one.

Blessings my friend. John


 Comment Written 28-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2018
    Hello John,
    I am honored by your excellent rating and thoughtful review.
    My mother suffered from progressive dementia and Parkinson's disease for over a decade. To see her suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally, was - without a doubt - the most heart-wrenching experience I have ever witnessed. I felt so helpless.
    I hope you and your wife and your mother-in-law find peace...
    Thank you again!

    diane
Comment from Joy Graham
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Congratulations on winning this contest! I enjoyed reading your dialogue only story. I spend a lot of time with seniors in the family these days. So this felt very familiar. I saw no spag issues anywhere. I love your ending. Well done, and well written.

Joy xx

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2018
    Thank you so much, Joy!
    Great to hear from you.
    My mother suffered from over a decade from progressive dementia and Parkinson's disease.
    I miss her every day...
    Thank you again for your excellent rating and complimentary review.
    Happiest of holidays to you and yours!
    diane
Comment from Nanny 6
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is an outstanding story... you brought to life a beautiful lunch with the mom who has dementia. So touching... Very touching story, congratulations on the win. You definitely deserve it! god bless you,
Judy

 Comment Written 27-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 27-Nov-2018
    Hello Judy!
    I am so very honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    My mother suffered for over a decade from the effects of Parkinson's disease and dementia. To witness the debilitating effects of both was the greatest challenge I have ever faced. I felt so helpless at times. I miss her every day...
    Thank you so much!
    diane
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a poignant story about love and loss. The daughter is patient with her mother who has Alzheimer's Disease. You can see how the mother is losing memory.

Congrats on the win. This story deserved it.

Keep writing

Joan

 Comment Written 27-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 27-Nov-2018
    Hello Joan!
    So pleased you enjoyed.
    I am very honored and humbled by the recognition this small offering has received. I'd give anything to have my mother back with all of us and in good health...
    Thank you!

    diane
reply by dragonpoet on 28-Nov-2018
    Don't mention it, Diane.

    Joan
Comment from William R. Gilbert
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I felt like I was in the room with this mother and daughter as they carried on their conversation. Your descriptions of the china and apple pie moved the conversation back and forth in time and helped me better understand the complex relationship between the caring daughter and the aging mother. A wonderful dialog. Congratulations!

 Comment Written 26-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 26-Nov-2018
    Hello William,
    To watch my mother progressively deteriorate physically, mentally, and emotionally was the most difficult challenge I have ever faced. And most of the time I felt helpless to assist. But I surely did attempt to make our times together reassuring, comfortable, and loving. I understand the diseases of dementia and Parkinson?s far better now than I ever did. I miss her every day...
    Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review...
    Diane
Comment from Contests

Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry.

 Comment Written 26-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 26-Nov-2018
    Dear Contest Committee,

    So very honored.
    Thank you...

    diane
Comment from Thomas Bowling
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

My grandmother made the best apple pie in the world. Whenever I asked for the recipe, she said if you want my apple pie you have to have dinner with me. She passed away but didn't pass on her recipe.

 Comment Written 13-Nov-2018

Comment from oorwull
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well plotted, well thought out and very well written. I have never experienced the trauma laid out in the story. However I totally understand the ongoing chatter between mother and daughter. I suppose some visits are better than others in these circumstances. I felt at times I was close to the situation. I wonder if this is based on fact or fiction?
Good work
Willie

 Comment Written 12-Nov-2018


reply by the author on 13-Nov-2018
    Hello!
    All true.
    My mother suffered from progressive dementia and Parkinson?s disease for over a decade. Heartbreaking.
    Thank you for your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    So appreciated!
    Diane