Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "The Saturday Morning Curse"A music and dance teacher's improvization
21 total reviews
Comment from Ulla
My goodness, Rachelle, what are those parents like? They don't seem to have any sense but their own ambition. They are both deaf and blind to their own child. Poor Sammy!! You convey it all very well. I like your style. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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My goodness, Rachelle, what are those parents like? They don't seem to have any sense but their own ambition. They are both deaf and blind to their own child. Poor Sammy!! You convey it all very well. I like your style. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Exactly, Ulla. They were living in a pure fantasy land. If they didn't admit to the autism, then he didn't have it. (And she was a TEACHER!!) So bizarre. Thanks for the nice review. I always love your feedback. xo
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She was a teacher??!! that did somehow escape me. Wow, what an ignorant mother
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I agree. That was the part that tested my patience most of all.
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I don't blame you.
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Oh my goodness -- as an advanced math teacher in a city full of engineers (we are a center for both the military and NASA so we're overrun with 'em...lol, my husband and I each being one of them!!) I get these types of students all the time: their parents thinking/saying their are brilliant at math or they love math or... etc. when I know darn good and well that such is NOT the case!! ;) ;) Ugh... I always wonder what will happen to these children as they move beyond me... don't you? Not that I worry - I quit doing that years ago because, as you say so eloquently here, "no job is worth my sanity" -- but I do wonder. :( Thanx for sharing, ma'am -- have a great week ahead! ;) ;) Yvette
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Oh my goodness -- as an advanced math teacher in a city full of engineers (we are a center for both the military and NASA so we're overrun with 'em...lol, my husband and I each being one of them!!) I get these types of students all the time: their parents thinking/saying their are brilliant at math or they love math or... etc. when I know darn good and well that such is NOT the case!! ;) ;) Ugh... I always wonder what will happen to these children as they move beyond me... don't you? Not that I worry - I quit doing that years ago because, as you say so eloquently here, "no job is worth my sanity" -- but I do wonder. :( Thanx for sharing, ma'am -- have a great week ahead! ;) ;) Yvette
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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It's true; there's a huge chasm sometimes between what a parent wishes were the case and what IS the case where their children's strengths and talents lie. It's very hard for caring educators. I feel your pain, Yvette.
Thank you for the spot-on review. xo
Comment from Colin John
Hi Rachelle, here comes that second bus again, great write as usual and glad to read when you make time to bless us with these stories. Kind regards Colin X
ps Find time I meant lol.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Hi Rachelle, here comes that second bus again, great write as usual and glad to read when you make time to bless us with these stories. Kind regards Colin X
ps Find time I meant lol.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Oh, you sweet reviewer, you! Thank you, Colin. xo
Comment from susand3022
Poor Sammy!!! Did they ever leave that poor child alone and let him just play with his cars or whatever??? Who knows... maybe he wanted to be a doctor? Maybe he'll never ever learn to play a note on anything, but you'll see him on The Voice one day! LOL Who knows???
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Poor Sammy!!! Did they ever leave that poor child alone and let him just play with his cars or whatever??? Who knows... maybe he wanted to be a doctor? Maybe he'll never ever learn to play a note on anything, but you'll see him on The Voice one day! LOL Who knows???
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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That was the last Saturday for him. And I have totally lost touch with the family. The parents divorced and everyone moved away.
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Why am I not completely surprised???
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Interesting piece. Poor boy. You could have ended his agony had you told the mother she was mistaken. I would have quit to save Sad Sammy from more torture. Surely I would have quit before dragging him to a recital that was sure to be painful at best and a disaster at worst...which it was.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Interesting piece. Poor boy. You could have ended his agony had you told the mother she was mistaken. I would have quit to save Sad Sammy from more torture. Surely I would have quit before dragging him to a recital that was sure to be painful at best and a disaster at worst...which it was.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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He had a brother, though, too, and he was fine and actually liked piano and was good. I'd have lost him, as well. But I hear what you're saying. I've always felt guilty about it.
Thank you for the review, Phyllis. xo
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Well, that's reason to stay, I guess. :)
Comment from LisaMay
How excrutiating... how my heart bled for that poor child. Some parents really are so me-focused. You have written this so well, so descriptively and compassionately... touches of humour, a well paced story, and lessons for general consumption based on your own intimate experiences.
I hope you can take a well-earned break now that Recital Day is done. xx
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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How excrutiating... how my heart bled for that poor child. Some parents really are so me-focused. You have written this so well, so descriptively and compassionately... touches of humour, a well paced story, and lessons for general consumption based on your own intimate experiences.
I hope you can take a well-earned break now that Recital Day is done. xx
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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Yes! I'll be writing and reading and reviewing to my heart's content! I'm so excited about that!!
Thanks for this lovely review. xo
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That's good to hear. You deserve a break from what must be a stressful week, as much as you love it. xx
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But all that worry paid off because it was a perfect day. If I hadn't done all that worrying, who know what a mess it could have been, you know?!!
Comment from karenina
My gosh your writing is crisp and witty, yet never without important observations that draw me in...
Poor Sammy! Parents in denial, Mom having him live out her childhood dream..
I am sure it must be like walking a high wire, trying to balance his needs with false expectations!--Karenina
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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My gosh your writing is crisp and witty, yet never without important observations that draw me in...
Poor Sammy! Parents in denial, Mom having him live out her childhood dream..
I am sure it must be like walking a high wire, trying to balance his needs with false expectations!--Karenina
Comment Written 02-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
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You totally understand. It was a tremendously difficult lesson every week.
Thanks for this really nice review. Karenina. xo
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I understand because you write so beautifully....Karenina
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Ah what patience you must have in your line of work! I admire it. I taught children like that at school. Don't you want to unscrew the top or their little head and take a peek in?
wonderful job with this1
I bet you are an awesome piano teacher!
Wdu
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Ah what patience you must have in your line of work! I admire it. I taught children like that at school. Don't you want to unscrew the top or their little head and take a peek in?
wonderful job with this1
I bet you are an awesome piano teacher!
Wdu
Comment Written 01-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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They are fascinating. I WOULD love to unscrew the top of their head, peek in..and then re-arrange so they feel happier. I feel the exact same way you do.
Today was Recital Day, and it went so very well. I do love this gig with all my heart. Thank you for your sweet comment. xo
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I loved it when I played in piano recitals. Once my sister and I played a duet. It was so cool. My hardest piece to play was Eidelweiss Glide. I still remember parts of it. I may not be spelling that right! Yes. I play piano. (But am not a natural-have to practice a piece many, many times over!) I also play electric bass (by ear) learned much later in life. In band, I played saxophone (alto, tenor & contra bass) and clarinet (alto and bass) I love music.
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Wowie zowie!!! I had no idea!! I'm so delighted to read about all these ways that music plays a part in your life! Do you still have all these instruments?
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I do have a piano, an electric keyboard, an electic bass, all of which I mess with a bit as time allows. (almost never) BUT you would love our decor. We have instruments, most unfixables hanging all over our house. At a yard sale last year, I bought a cell. It hangs in our living room. We just love instruments. We probably 50 or so, maybe 30 hanging, some old, some unusual. O.K. we are weird.
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All musicians are weird!! It's the tie that binds us! (I have HATS hanging on my walls!) Neat idea, though, to have a collection of instruments throughout the household. I bet I'd like it a lot. xo
Comment from juliaSjames
I'm out of sixes but this is an exceptional write.
You have a confident touch and great skill in presenting your characters.My heart wept for Sammy. And for my childhood self pushed into piano lessons, verse speaking, acting in plays etc when I was a timid child who abhored the spotlight.
Well perhaps these trials build character but the jury's still out on that conclusion!
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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I'm out of sixes but this is an exceptional write.
You have a confident touch and great skill in presenting your characters.My heart wept for Sammy. And for my childhood self pushed into piano lessons, verse speaking, acting in plays etc when I was a timid child who abhored the spotlight.
Well perhaps these trials build character but the jury's still out on that conclusion!
Comment Written 01-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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I never make students perform who don't want to. I find that little short of cruel. My mantra is: "If music isn't fun, then we have completely missed the point." I say to them, "I know you play really well, and your parents do, too. No one else matters." I keep those students forever because they feel so relieved. They WANT to play music; they just don't want to do it in front of anyone. I wish I'd been your piano teacher, Julia, because then you'd still be playing. xo
Thank you for this really nice review. I couldn't appreciate it more.
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You're a great teacher because you're a wonderful person
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What a nice thing to say to me. xo
Comment from phil nelson
this is a very enjoyable story that you are telling, primarily because of the humour and your ability to create great imagery for the reader as you go. I suspect a young reader might have some difficulty understanding just who Beaver Cleaver's parents were and how they dressed, but for oldies like me it works just fine. I will look forward to the next instalment !
All the Best!
Phil
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reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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this is a very enjoyable story that you are telling, primarily because of the humour and your ability to create great imagery for the reader as you go. I suspect a young reader might have some difficulty understanding just who Beaver Cleaver's parents were and how they dressed, but for oldies like me it works just fine. I will look forward to the next instalment !
All the Best!
Phil
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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I thought about that, too, Phil. Maybe I should make an Author's Note? What do you think?
Thanks for your very encouraging review. xo
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you could make it an author's note Rachelle, but if a reader has never seen the tv show it would be hard to conjure up the imagery that you have intended. We all write from what we know and have experienced and you do that extremely well so I wouldn't be too concerned.
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Thanks, Phil. I think you're right. If they were curious enough, they could always YouTube an episode, right?!!