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Reminiscing

Viewing comments for Chapter 24 " Chapter 24 What could go wrong?"
A collection of short stories

31 total reviews 
Comment from Paul McFarland
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That's a very entertaining piece, Barb. I have had a few grandparenting experiences, but none quite so interesting as your. Grandsons are close by, while granddaughters are farther away.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the support.
Comment from patcelaw
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This was a funny story and I enjoyed listening to it. It flows very well and it's read aloud. I caught a little typo and you where he said you were talking about the parent teacher conference you got partent. Patricia

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the support. Will fix that right now. Thank you for the catch.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
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What a story, Barbara! A bit like the "Carry on" series of slapstick comedy! And Eleanor trying to convey all of that in one sentence - I think she did very well and will obviously be excellent penning haikus when she gets older! Thanks for sharing. Debbie.
pa(r)ent-teacher conference (last line)

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the support. I have made that correction. I appreciate the catch.
Comment from Neonewman
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Good lord, they had a week. Lol. The dog turned the shower on and flooded the basement due to the doggy pads. This was too funny not to post. I am happy the tornadoes weren't near them. This was great fun, Barbara.

"Love you, too. Hug(s) the girls for me. 'Bye."

God bless,
Steve

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the support and the catch. I have made the correction.
reply by Neonewman on 20-Mar-2025
    My pleasure, Barbara
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
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LOL! Not a storm, but the dog turning on the shower and the pee pads clogging it. (My cat knows how to turn on sink faucets so she can get water from them.)

I will add that my cat chases, and catches, snakes all the time and that we have to wrestle them away from her. Eww!

Andrew sounds like a very patient and level-headed person and dad. What a story this is - you should write about it:-)

"eventual week" should be eventful week, I assume.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the support. I thought I had already fixed by eventful but went back to double check. Sometimes I forget to save.
Comment from Wendy G
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That's certainly enough drama for one week! (Edit: eventful, not eventual). At least the snakes sound like they are non-venomous. Otherwise the dog would be dead and dangerous for the little girls. Thanks for sharing this fun post, very humorous.
Wendy

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the understanding. I know Sunny wouldn't cause this much trouble.
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
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Oh this was funny. Almost like a comedy routine at times. Your family is funny and your granddaughtrrs so adorable. Poor Phobe ha We have used pads inside for our past dog at least.

We have a 4 story house because the basement is completely finished and it is multilevel to start. We bought the house and it has 3 sump pumps between he garage and also the laubdryoom. During the very worst stor mm s we are completely dry. We keep up with a warranty of $90 yearly for this EverDry Company. They may be nation wide but we are currently just south of Pittsburgh PA the South Hills. It's worth getting sump pumps if they can. When it rsivs you hear a little hum and know they are keeping rain water away and pumping it elsewhere. In 3 years here with various storms, we have no worries.

Thank you for for sharing yet another entertaining family story with us. It's clearly expressed.

Best wishes,

Alex :)

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
    Thank you for sharing your story. Life can be very entertaining.
Comment from jacquelyn popp
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Reminiscing: What Could Go Wrong? is a delightful, hilarious, and sometimes chaotic journey through the every day-especially in Chapter 24, which perfectly captures the humor and unpredictability of life with family and pets. Barbara Wilkey has a way of turning even the most mundane moments into a rollercoaster of events that feel incredibly real, warm, and full of love, and this chapter is no exception.

The story kicks off with a conversation between the narrator and her son, Andrew, as they try to make sense of the bizarre and amusing events that unfolded over the past week. The mundane quickly turns into something much more entertaining as Andrew recounts the mishaps that took place, all centered around his dog Phoebe-who, like any spirited pet, manages to turn an ordinary week into a whirlwind of unexpected surprises.

What makes this chapter particularly engaging is Wilkey's ability to weave together the small, seemingly trivial details of family life into a larger, more humorous narrative. The seemingly innocent start to the conversation-about the storm and the flooding basement-quickly spirals into a series of misadventures. The presence of Phoebe, the dog, adds an element of unpredictability, as she manages to flood the basement and then chase and consume a snake, all while Andrew tries to piece together the chaos. The way Wilkey builds up the absurdity of the situation with the addition of a wild duck running amok in the backyard is both hilarious and endearing, proving that sometimes life's most entertaining moments are the unplanned ones.

The playful back-and-forth between Andrew and his mother, the narrator, is wonderfully paced. Andrew's frequent "grins" and his sarcastic humor add an extra layer of charm to the story, making the reader feel as if they are right there in the room, sharing in the family dynamic. His dry wit in recounting how Phoebe managed to get herself into trouble is both comical and relatable. You can practically hear the exasperation in his voice as he describes Phoebe's antics, all while trying to explain the absurdity of it all to his mother, who is just as confused by the sequence of events.

The story is peppered with moments of genuine affection and warmth. For instance, the narrator's genuine concern for Phoebe, despite the mess she caused, speaks volumes about the tender bond between family members and their pets. The author's use of dialogue captures the nuances of family interactions so well-there's the playful teasing, the affectionate exchanges, and even the subtle frustrations that arise when things don't go as planned.

What truly shines in Chapter 24 is Wilkey's ability to find humor in the most chaotic situations. From the flooded basement to the snake in Phoebe's mouth, and the duck that caused its own kind of mayhem, the story paints a vivid picture of the beautiful, unpredictable mess that is family life. And, in true family fashion, despite the chaos, the love and the bond between Andrew and his family remain steadfast, proving that even the most unexpected of events can bring people closer together.

The end of the chapter, where Eleanor urgently calls out for her grandmother, provides a heartwarming conclusion to the mayhem. It's a reminder that, despite the hilarious trouble Phoebe gets into, family will always be there to handle the mess, support one another, and share in the everyday moments that make life so special. The humor and warmth of the family dynamic are ever-present, and the reader is left feeling not only entertained but also connected to the characters and their experiences.

Overall, Chapter 24: Phoebe Gets in Trouble is a masterclass in finding joy and humor in the small, chaotic moments of life. It's a reminder that while things may go wrong, they often turn into the stories we laugh about for years to come. This chapter, in particular, had me laughing out loud and nodding in recognition of the unpredictability that comes with being part of a family. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece and can't wait to see what other humorous and heartwarming moments await in the rest of the book. If you're looking for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud read about the chaos of family life, Reminiscing: What Could Go Wrong? is an absolute must-read.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
    Your review touched my heart. Eleanor is great, but she's a hot mess. LOL I say that in love.
reply by jacquelyn popp on 20-Mar-2025
    I’m glad that my review did that. I enjoyed reading your writing. You are welcome for the review.
Comment from royowen
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I can remember when my girls were young, they got things muddled all the time, and also the names of things, we don't realise sometimes that our pronunciations can be wrong too, kids are marvellous aren't they? Thanks for sharing Barbara, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the understanding.
reply by royowen on 19-Mar-2025
    Bless you
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
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LoL...... your granddaughter sounds so cute (*÷*)

Your story is very funny and I can relate. Atticus is 7 years old going on 30 but when he was 3 we had similar talks.

Thank you very much for sharing.

Gypsy

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 Comment Written 19-Mar-2025


reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
    Thank you for the understanding.