Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 15 "The Holiday Greeting Pin"A music and dance teacher's improvization
33 total reviews
Comment from A. Willow Bends
In the paragraph that starts with Two moms, you need a space someplace in the first line, between who and I, so it does not read whol! Just a teacher thing that I was even able to spot it! This is darling and I must be honest, I probably would have been one who could not figure it out! I am a bit slow on the uptake! Most interesting are the adult guesses! Love it!
This one so very deserving of a six, but none available here! My apologies!
Wendy
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2019
  |
In the paragraph that starts with Two moms, you need a space someplace in the first line, between who and I, so it does not read whol! Just a teacher thing that I was even able to spot it! This is darling and I must be honest, I probably would have been one who could not figure it out! I am a bit slow on the uptake! Most interesting are the adult guesses! Love it!
This one so very deserving of a six, but none available here! My apologies!
Wendy
Comment Written 11-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2019
-
You know you never have to apologize for that. And thanks for catching the space issue. I edited out an 'm' on 'whom' and did not realize I also deleted the space before the next word. I appreciate your having my back. xo
Comment from Jeffrey L. Michaux
It's amazing how our perception gets a bit skewed and jaded sometimes the older we get. Not all of us, but, many of us. The children figured it out right away. None of the ones that most would consider informed figured it out. I watch a Christmas show that I have recorded called the polar express. It has a scene that a bell rings in it I believe that has something to do with Christmas. The adults couldn't hear it, only the children could. I think that there is something to be said about the sensitivity and intuition that children have and can keep into adulthood. I enjoyed reading this well written work Rachelle. Well done.
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019
|
It's amazing how our perception gets a bit skewed and jaded sometimes the older we get. Not all of us, but, many of us. The children figured it out right away. None of the ones that most would consider informed figured it out. I watch a Christmas show that I have recorded called the polar express. It has a scene that a bell rings in it I believe that has something to do with Christmas. The adults couldn't hear it, only the children could. I think that there is something to be said about the sensitivity and intuition that children have and can keep into adulthood. I enjoyed reading this well written work Rachelle. Well done.
Comment Written 09-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019
-
I just love your reviews, Jeffrey. They're always so well-thought-out and interesting. Thank you for another one that gave me lots of things to think about. xo
Comment from Sugarray77
This is a very good one, Rachelle. I liked how you tasked your students/parents with trying solve the riddle of ..No El...It is a good inspiration for a story. You seem to have a million of them. Haha. Great read.
Melissa
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019
|
This is a very good one, Rachelle. I liked how you tasked your students/parents with trying solve the riddle of ..No El...It is a good inspiration for a story. You seem to have a million of them. Haha. Great read.
Melissa
Comment Written 09-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019
-
I think it's because I've had so many students. Seventy-three (one year it blossomed to EIGHTY-EIGHT, which I thought, initially was so cool because that's how many keys are on a piano. About December, I was asking myself what in the HELL I was possibly thinking!) times twenty-eight years of piano lessons and twelve years before that as a dance teacher. I am RIFE with opportunities!!!
Thanks for the really nice review, Melissa. xo
Comment from Joy Graham
That's a sad statement about parents not getting that simple pin message. Sounds like the parents need to lighten up and take their kids on vacation more often. Yet another reason why I dislike the business world.
Good post today, Rachelle.
Joy xx
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019
|
That's a sad statement about parents not getting that simple pin message. Sounds like the parents need to lighten up and take their kids on vacation more often. Yet another reason why I dislike the business world.
Good post today, Rachelle.
Joy xx
Comment Written 09-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019
-
In the beginning of that week, I was thinking, "What the heck is WRONG with these people?!" By the last couple of days, though, I couldn't wait to hear what the next ridiculous guess would be coming from an adult. It became great entertainment for me!
Comment from 24chas
This was a real hoot to read, Rachelle. I love the differences in what people made of the pin. I love the way you related what they all said, even the jerk who said it was for no lovin'.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
 |
This was a real hoot to read, Rachelle. I love the differences in what people made of the pin. I love the way you related what they all said, even the jerk who said it was for no lovin'.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
-
Thanks, 24chas. I can't make this stuff up! xo
Comment from Gail Denham
Great example of how we all view things differently. Interesting little pin. Haven't seen one like that. You certainly fill your life with a wide variety of children and parents. Interesting.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
|
Great example of how we all view things differently. Interesting little pin. Haven't seen one like that. You certainly fill your life with a wide variety of children and parents. Interesting.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
-
I have seventy-three students a week during the school year. In the summer, it dwindles to 30 or so.
-
Wow - that's amazing - no wonder you have so many great stories.
-
It does allow me to cast a bigger net!
Comment from juliaSjames
LOL
Kids are literal. I wouldn't have had a clue about the morning of your brooch.
Loved the way adults read meaning through the lens of their individual interests.
Deep!
Blessings Julia
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
|
LOL
Kids are literal. I wouldn't have had a clue about the morning of your brooch.
Loved the way adults read meaning through the lens of their individual interests.
Deep!
Blessings Julia
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
-
It was absolutely fascinating to me! At the beginning of the week, I was thinking, "What is WRONG with these people?" By Friday, I was eager to see what the next adult was going to tell me the pin said! (You've got to take your entertainments as they come to you, Julia, right?) xo
Comment from doggymad1
I am in serious need of help after reading this. I just didn't make the connection, actually I didn't make any at all.
I love the way people interpreted it as different things, depending on where they were at in their own lives. With children it is obviously a lot simpler
hugs
Freda
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
|
I am in serious need of help after reading this. I just didn't make the connection, actually I didn't make any at all.
I love the way people interpreted it as different things, depending on where they were at in their own lives. With children it is obviously a lot simpler
hugs
Freda
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
-
Do you mean you didn't understand the pin design (or its meaning)or that you didn't get why it was such a mystery to all the adults?
-
The pin design, I got the rest of it no problem Please don't tell me I accidentally gave you a four
hugs
Freda
-
So it's an "L" but then it's crossed diagonally with a red line. So that indicates "No"
No -el.
-
Thanks Rachelle, I had it figured eventually, but my brain is gone to bed without me again lol
hugs
Freda
-
HAHAHAHAAH. I love that!! xo
Comment from Mark Valentine
OK, my favorite part of this is the interaction between you and the man at the Dollar Store - two simple acts of kindness - makes my day to know that those kinds of things still happen.
Then there's the story and the keen insight that we adults tend to look for complication and obfuscation, and children, as you so nicely put it, are able to see life in it's purest form.
I love these vignettes! Looking forward to the Dreydl Song.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
|
OK, my favorite part of this is the interaction between you and the man at the Dollar Store - two simple acts of kindness - makes my day to know that those kinds of things still happen.
Then there's the story and the keen insight that we adults tend to look for complication and obfuscation, and children, as you so nicely put it, are able to see life in it's purest form.
I love these vignettes! Looking forward to the Dreydl Song.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
-
That makes one of us. Even seeing those words makes me shudder!
Thanks for the really nice review. xo
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I would have got it wrong, I always do. I loved some of the answers you got from the adults, and the old lady would naturally have thought it meant no Christmas because you are a Jew. lol, What did she say when you told her what it really meant? I have Jewish friends who still celebrate Christmas, I think most religions these days, (I say 'most' as some don't) try to celebrate what the day represents in other peoples beliefs yet still keep their own just as it was intended. This was another of your lovely stories, my friend. Going off to read another one now. :) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
|
I would have got it wrong, I always do. I loved some of the answers you got from the adults, and the old lady would naturally have thought it meant no Christmas because you are a Jew. lol, What did she say when you told her what it really meant? I have Jewish friends who still celebrate Christmas, I think most religions these days, (I say 'most' as some don't) try to celebrate what the day represents in other peoples beliefs yet still keep their own just as it was intended. This was another of your lovely stories, my friend. Going off to read another one now. :) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
-
Here's the worst part about that old lady, Sandra: she's my mother-in-law! It's twenty years later, and she's still brooding about the fact that I'm Jewish. Oy!
I love Christmas! It's so sparkly and joyous! Plus the music is SO BEAUTIFUL, and, as you'll see in an upcoming chapter of Lessons in the Key of Life, I did something to ensure that the children in my life WILL know it well. (Here in the States, it's banned in schools from being sung in choruses or played in band concerts!) I've gone on many a Christmas Eve with Bobby to Midnight Mass just for the beauty and reverence of the event. (And imagine this: I STILL REMAINED JEWISH AFTERWARD!! Amazing, right? You can be part of something different from your own tenets and not be (a) offended or (b) expected to assimilate! You can simply join in and resume your regular life, unscathed! What a concept!)
Thank you very much for the review. xo
-
Why are people like that? We all know there is one God, we all think of where we will be going, (Heaven ... I hope) why can't people just accept that each person's idea of religion is not dissimilar to their own? I'm glad you like Christmas, it is a very happy, spiritual time and I love it too. :)) xxx