A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "A Fly on the Wall"A journal musings and assessments about situations
31 total reviews
Comment from susand3022
Hi Rachelle! Doesn't that bring back memories!!!! LMAO at that story!
I took my son on a camping trip when he was about 8 or 9? What a nightmare!!! The campground, in the Poconos, was about 3 1/2 hours away. Not bad at all... but about 2 hours in, my car started overheating. Long, long. story short, we ended up in a hotel the first night, in CT, the car in a shop across the street on a Saturday, after they had closed. On Sunday, we go over, the guy says, nothing is wrong but too much water in the radiator... guess I overfilled with all the overheating going on... charged a fortune and on our way. Called my son's father (we were divorced) to let him know we were on our way again and set out.
10 minutes later we're overheating again. Called Jeff again... he was already on his way... about half an hour away. How's that for an ex! He followed us to the campground... a piece at a time... (talk about the "are we there yet's") He ended up camping with us, I 'sold' my car to a dealership, after spending hours there over a couple of days, the head gasket was blown. He's now diabetic so we ended up eating our meals in the local diner. It poured the last day and night and everything got soaked. The whole thing was a disaster. If you ask my son, he'll say he saw Legoland and we went to a cool zoo in the woods. :) Hahahaha! It's all in what you remember. ;)
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Hi Rachelle! Doesn't that bring back memories!!!! LMAO at that story!
I took my son on a camping trip when he was about 8 or 9? What a nightmare!!! The campground, in the Poconos, was about 3 1/2 hours away. Not bad at all... but about 2 hours in, my car started overheating. Long, long. story short, we ended up in a hotel the first night, in CT, the car in a shop across the street on a Saturday, after they had closed. On Sunday, we go over, the guy says, nothing is wrong but too much water in the radiator... guess I overfilled with all the overheating going on... charged a fortune and on our way. Called my son's father (we were divorced) to let him know we were on our way again and set out.
10 minutes later we're overheating again. Called Jeff again... he was already on his way... about half an hour away. How's that for an ex! He followed us to the campground... a piece at a time... (talk about the "are we there yet's") He ended up camping with us, I 'sold' my car to a dealership, after spending hours there over a couple of days, the head gasket was blown. He's now diabetic so we ended up eating our meals in the local diner. It poured the last day and night and everything got soaked. The whole thing was a disaster. If you ask my son, he'll say he saw Legoland and we went to a cool zoo in the woods. :) Hahahaha! It's all in what you remember. ;)
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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O.M.G. That is the worst of all horrible "camping" stories!!!
But you're right - kids always find the positive! That's why I love them so much!
Thanks for this hilarious review that I just loved reading. xo
Comment from damommy
What different perspectives. Too bad the mother couldn't see the fun and beauty of the place, despite the bad parts.
I've heard it said that five people observing the same occurrence will give five completely different descriptions.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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What different perspectives. Too bad the mother couldn't see the fun and beauty of the place, despite the bad parts.
I've heard it said that five people observing the same occurrence will give five completely different descriptions.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Exactly, damommy, and that's so fascinating to me!
In my friend's defense, I just want to say that she spent her first 35 years living in Texas, where a cold day is 60. She's really never acclimated to this climate (at that point, they'd only lived here six years). Plus she was sleep-deprived and worried about the drunken mayhem so close by.
Thanks for the terrific review. I always appreciate reading what you write. xo
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Wow! What a difference! The girl enjoyed her birthday trip, and her mother hated it. She did it for he child, though, because she loves her and wants to make her happy on her birthday. I'm sure neither told the other what they honestly felt. That how parent-child communication can end up if parents don't practice talking with children from early on.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Wow! What a difference! The girl enjoyed her birthday trip, and her mother hated it. She did it for he child, though, because she loves her and wants to make her happy on her birthday. I'm sure neither told the other what they honestly felt. That how parent-child communication can end up if parents don't practice talking with children from early on.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Yes, you're very right about THAT, Phyllis. These two are doing great that way, though, I'm happy to report. In ordinary circumstances, the mom is as positive as the daughter. But I think the cold and the sleep deprivation and the LAUNDRY did her in that time.
Thank you for your review and insight. I always love to read what you write. xo
Comment from Bill Pinder
Great writing that points out clearly the power of perceptions and how everyone has their own That color how they react in a certain situation because that is their reality. How's that for a long sentence with some psychological mumbo-jumbo?
Bill
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Great writing that points out clearly the power of perceptions and how everyone has their own That color how they react in a certain situation because that is their reality. How's that for a long sentence with some psychological mumbo-jumbo?
Bill
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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It's dazzling, Bill - absolutely dazzling!! (but also true...) Thank you for your time and insight with this review. xo
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Great job! I am out of sixes! It truly is in the eye of the beholder. You conveyed this very well. I was surprised. I assumed the birthday girl would be the bored and mortified one, not the mother. Shock there! Great job!
Wendy
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Great job! I am out of sixes! It truly is in the eye of the beholder. You conveyed this very well. I was surprised. I assumed the birthday girl would be the bored and mortified one, not the mother. Shock there! Great job!
Wendy
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Well, she's only THE most positive child on the planet, this girl. And actually, her mom usually is, as well, but this trip just went too far over the line (They're from Texas originally, so she's never really acclimated to the NYS weather!)
Thanks for this very nice review. I appreciate it. xo
Comment from judiverse
I can certainly appreciate the different perspectives on the camping trip. At my age, I can sympathize with the mom. She's the one who had to do all the laundry and endure the cold and the arguing couple. I'm definitely with her. It's nice that she made the effort to please her daughter, who saw only the fun side of the trip and didn't mind the cold. When she gets older, she'll probably share her mother's view. Great work, and I enjoyed the anecdote. So true that we see things from our own viewpoint. judi
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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I can certainly appreciate the different perspectives on the camping trip. At my age, I can sympathize with the mom. She's the one who had to do all the laundry and endure the cold and the arguing couple. I'm definitely with her. It's nice that she made the effort to please her daughter, who saw only the fun side of the trip and didn't mind the cold. When she gets older, she'll probably share her mother's view. Great work, and I enjoyed the anecdote. So true that we see things from our own viewpoint. judi
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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And when that comes, Judi, I am SO sharing this journal entry with her!! She'll get a good laugh out of it, I'm sure.
Thank you for this terrific review.xo
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You're welcome. Isn't it interesting to find out about how people have different takes on the same situation? judi
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Absolutely fascinating to me. And then I always try to figure out why.
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That's why eyewitness testimony is court is often unreliable. judi
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VERY good point!!
Comment from HealingMuse
Hi Rachelle,
Lol. Yup, pretty much--it's all about one's unique perception of life events. I really like this story because you provide examples of how people view, and experience, the same event from different perspectives. Thanks for sharing. Jan :-)
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Hi Rachelle,
Lol. Yup, pretty much--it's all about one's unique perception of life events. I really like this story because you provide examples of how people view, and experience, the same event from different perspectives. Thanks for sharing. Jan :-)
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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You're welcome! Thank you for this very nice review. I always love reading what you have to say.
Comment from 24chas
This was so hilarious and true, Rachelle. Love the differing perspectives of things. It's funny how people see things so differently even though one would think they would be close to being the same. You are so talented with your writing. I always look forward to new releases from you and your talented pen.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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This was so hilarious and true, Rachelle. Love the differing perspectives of things. It's funny how people see things so differently even though one would think they would be close to being the same. You are so talented with your writing. I always look forward to new releases from you and your talented pen.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Thank you, 24chas, for both your review and also your encouragement. I think your pen is extremely talented, as well. xo
Comment from Debra White
Hi Rachelle :)
How funny! I really enjoyed reading this...
I'm sure my version of our own camping trip last summer, differs greatly from Shaun's, Ben's, Katie's and Rebecca's! It's all about perspective and the roles we assume in each situation...I'm not so sure we will be repeating the camping experience either!
I just picked up on this one bit, hope you don't mind me pointing it out...
'We ate dinner outside, which was alright if you like that kind of thing, but it wouldn't (would've) been a lot nicer if it hadn't been thirty degrees out.'
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Hi Rachelle :)
How funny! I really enjoyed reading this...
I'm sure my version of our own camping trip last summer, differs greatly from Shaun's, Ben's, Katie's and Rebecca's! It's all about perspective and the roles we assume in each situation...I'm not so sure we will be repeating the camping experience either!
I just picked up on this one bit, hope you don't mind me pointing it out...
'We ate dinner outside, which was alright if you like that kind of thing, but it wouldn't (would've) been a lot nicer if it hadn't been thirty degrees out.'
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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No, no, I APPRECIATE when you tell me things that you feel are out of place - be it grammatical or typographical. I always consider that "having my back" and it makes me know you care. So never be shy about doing that, please. I know you only have my best interest at heart.
Thank you for the review, and also for the fun vignette about your own camping experience. I loved reading it. xo
Comment from Catmusings
This was great! I liked how you showed the two different perceptions of that family's camping trip. The daughter's version was so much more uplifting and positive, the mother's so gloomy and cynical.
So true how two people experiencing the same event could see it so totally differently. A good reminder as often I forget that my view on something can be completely different from how someone else sees it.
It's all how you see it and your attitude is the biggest factor of all. I have to remind myself of that, too.
A very enjoyable read. I'll have to read more of your entries. I liked reading about you being a music teacher, too. I play flute in different groups and sing in a women's choir and love being able to share the joy of music with others.
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reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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This was great! I liked how you showed the two different perceptions of that family's camping trip. The daughter's version was so much more uplifting and positive, the mother's so gloomy and cynical.
So true how two people experiencing the same event could see it so totally differently. A good reminder as often I forget that my view on something can be completely different from how someone else sees it.
It's all how you see it and your attitude is the biggest factor of all. I have to remind myself of that, too.
A very enjoyable read. I'll have to read more of your entries. I liked reading about you being a music teacher, too. I play flute in different groups and sing in a women's choir and love being able to share the joy of music with others.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Thank you, Catmusings; I love this delightful review.
In my friend's defense, I do want to say that ordinarily, she, like her daughter, is THE most positive of people. But she was so cold (unlike her daughter, my friend spent the first thirty-five years of her life living in Texas warmth! She's never acclimated to the NY chill.) and sleep-deprived, even a couple days later, when we talked, that she didn't have a lot of Positive left in her, I'm afraid. (Plus she was STILL doing laundry!!)
I appreciate all the time and thought that went into this review. It was great to read. xo