A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 17 "Mellowing with Age (sort of)"A journal musings and assessments about situations
24 total reviews
Comment from BethShelby
Hi! I decided to look up since Helen interviewed you. I love you humor. Especially non-fiction humor. You don't see enough of that on FanStory. I'll try to catch some of your posts more often. I hope you're having a good birthday.
Beth
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2022
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Hi! I decided to look up since Helen interviewed you. I love you humor. Especially non-fiction humor. You don't see enough of that on FanStory. I'll try to catch some of your posts more often. I hope you're having a good birthday.
Beth
Comment Written 29-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2022
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Thank you - and, yes, my birthday was fantastic.
Comment from Marienkiefer
Oi vey, what a fantastic story.
- Scintillating sarcasm and sauciness.
-The tone and humorous quips reminded me of Bette Midler, who I admire for her pizazz and punchy wit.
-Very contemporary style, light and dark humour.
-Captured obsession, explosive energy and deep-focused jealousy, that bubbles and bursts at the fifth cocktail.
-Lots of sparkling lines: I shot back like a blow torch, mellowing is a lengthy process, especially it seems, for redhead, and flashes from your laser glare...And the list goes on.
-Only one part got a little murky for me: the paragraph that starts, Say something uncouth to me now like the guy who sat in his parked vehicle when I was 25... It's mostly a chronological item, almost as though something was taken out or added somehow, that threw off the order, moving from 66, to about 43 years old, to 23, and back again to around 31, perhaps.
Very stylish writing, lovely displays of drama and red rage. Just a fun and eloquent read. Terrific, I enjoyed it immensely.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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Oi vey, what a fantastic story.
- Scintillating sarcasm and sauciness.
-The tone and humorous quips reminded me of Bette Midler, who I admire for her pizazz and punchy wit.
-Very contemporary style, light and dark humour.
-Captured obsession, explosive energy and deep-focused jealousy, that bubbles and bursts at the fifth cocktail.
-Lots of sparkling lines: I shot back like a blow torch, mellowing is a lengthy process, especially it seems, for redhead, and flashes from your laser glare...And the list goes on.
-Only one part got a little murky for me: the paragraph that starts, Say something uncouth to me now like the guy who sat in his parked vehicle when I was 25... It's mostly a chronological item, almost as though something was taken out or added somehow, that threw off the order, moving from 66, to about 43 years old, to 23, and back again to around 31, perhaps.
Very stylish writing, lovely displays of drama and red rage. Just a fun and eloquent read. Terrific, I enjoyed it immensely.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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I'm writing this from the front yard, Marienkiefer, because, after reading this review, my head no longer fits into my house. Thank you for the fabulous review and also pointing to the snag. That helps me immensely; I hope you always give me pointers so that I can hone this craft that I love.
I appreciate every word you wrote. Thank you times a million zillion.xo
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My pleasure 🌸
Comment from Michaela Moore
I love the ease with which your charm and humor seem to pour out through your unique and stylish diction. I see the beautiful stylized writing that is all yours, and you do it so well. Your words in this chapter are a ballet that is of the most exquisite ballerina which leaves audiences in awe of what they have just seen (and in this instance what we have just read.) You have taken something of a most mundane subject and turned it into a heightened piece of literary gold! Write on, my friend...write on!
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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I love the ease with which your charm and humor seem to pour out through your unique and stylish diction. I see the beautiful stylized writing that is all yours, and you do it so well. Your words in this chapter are a ballet that is of the most exquisite ballerina which leaves audiences in awe of what they have just seen (and in this instance what we have just read.) You have taken something of a most mundane subject and turned it into a heightened piece of literary gold! Write on, my friend...write on!
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Michaela. I feel my heart (well, okay, and ego....) swelling here. This review I will certainly treasure forever. xo
Comment from amahra
I really loved this writing. It makes you think. I remember that birthday signs were used as warning labels: if you're Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, etc. I also remembered that back in the 1970s Blacks with big naturals were seen as militant. Great writing!
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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I really loved this writing. It makes you think. I remember that birthday signs were used as warning labels: if you're Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, etc. I also remembered that back in the 1970s Blacks with big naturals were seen as militant. Great writing!
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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Good point! I remember that, too!!
Thanks for the very encouraging, lovely review.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is an interesting article, and it is very amusing. It's good to hear you are mellowing. I'm ten years older and am only now mellowing. Being pissed is just too much work anymore.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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This is an interesting article, and it is very amusing. It's good to hear you are mellowing. I'm ten years older and am only now mellowing. Being pissed is just too much work anymore.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2022
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Yesss!! EXACTLY!! It makes me need to nap more, and who has time for that, you know? Thank you for understanding! xo
Comment from Fleedleflump
lol, this gave me a good chuckle - I could feel you building to something with the milder previous events so I was well rewarded when we got to the wedding hussy. I think we all change subtly over time, but there's always that spark of our core personality that will come out at parties and usually inopportune moments :-).
I very much enjoyed the read.
Mike
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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lol, this gave me a good chuckle - I could feel you building to something with the milder previous events so I was well rewarded when we got to the wedding hussy. I think we all change subtly over time, but there's always that spark of our core personality that will come out at parties and usually inopportune moments :-).
I very much enjoyed the read.
Mike
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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You are so right. It's kind of the theme of the whole movie "Unforgiven," right? I figure, if it's good enough for Clint Eastwood, it's good enough for me, too!
Thanks for a fantastic review, Mike.
Comment from K.L. Rockquemore
I enjoyed reading this essay.
It is packed with truth, humor, and sarcasm.
Your writing style is unique and descriptive. The sensory details used created a connection for the reader to the story.
I love how you describe your red hair as your
"warning label," very clever.
I appreciate your author notes, welcome back!
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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I enjoyed reading this essay.
It is packed with truth, humor, and sarcasm.
Your writing style is unique and descriptive. The sensory details used created a connection for the reader to the story.
I love how you describe your red hair as your
"warning label," very clever.
I appreciate your author notes, welcome back!
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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And I appreciate your very specific--and thereby, OH-so helpful--review! Thank you for taking the time to let me know what "works" when I write. That way, I know now to navigate next time.
It's good to be back.
Comment from Michele Harber
Well, this is definitely one area in which you and I differ. I was afraid to step on toes when I was younger. Now I'll step on toes that deserve it without compunction - and, preferably, in spiked heels.
Your story shows your usual dry wit, and excellent use of descriptive metaphor ("a lightning bolt of red before my eyes," "laser my glare," "raccoonish eyes") and simile ("like a spinster schoolmarm," "like a sea anemone," "like a blow torch") to tell your story, all of which work together to make it more vivid and interesting.
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Well, this is definitely one area in which you and I differ. I was afraid to step on toes when I was younger. Now I'll step on toes that deserve it without compunction - and, preferably, in spiked heels.
Your story shows your usual dry wit, and excellent use of descriptive metaphor ("a lightning bolt of red before my eyes," "laser my glare," "raccoonish eyes") and simile ("like a spinster schoolmarm," "like a sea anemone," "like a blow torch") to tell your story, all of which work together to make it more vivid and interesting.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Thanks. I am seeing a theme with our fellow members: so many of the women, like you, who were demure and flew under the radar in the earlier days, now, with age, have become emboldened. My theory is that we'll all end up meeting somewhere in the middle.
I appreciate your encouraging review.
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I guess the middle ground is that I pick my battles better now. The older you get, the more you realize that some of those battles aren't worth the time it takes to fight them. But the ones I do choose to fight - watch out!
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Exactly.
Comment from LJbutterfly
I believe we all mellow in some way as we age. But I totally agreed and approved with your reaction and comments to hussy and her hubby.
It reminded me of a party my husband and I attended prior to our marriage fifty years ago. An intoxicated young lady wrapped her arms around my then boyfriend's neck and began to dance. I was furious with her and him because he didn't automatically push her away. When I approached them to deliver my outraged comments, her bladder gave way and pee stickled down her legs. She ran to the rest room, but not before I roared laughing.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts, and look forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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I believe we all mellow in some way as we age. But I totally agreed and approved with your reaction and comments to hussy and her hubby.
It reminded me of a party my husband and I attended prior to our marriage fifty years ago. An intoxicated young lady wrapped her arms around my then boyfriend's neck and began to dance. I was furious with her and him because he didn't automatically push her away. When I approached them to deliver my outraged comments, her bladder gave way and pee stickled down her legs. She ran to the rest room, but not before I roared laughing.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts, and look forward to reading more.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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Hahahahaha. Sometimes, you don't have to do a thing: Karma takes care of it for you. There's nothing you could have said that would have been more damaging than what she experienced because of her own body. Love this story!!
Comment from Tpa
Enjoy your sense of humor. Age does have the semblance of a once new smooth running car that now becomes cranky and the gears don't shift as well, but your writing brought smiles and laughter no matter your age.
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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Enjoy your sense of humor. Age does have the semblance of a once new smooth running car that now becomes cranky and the gears don't shift as well, but your writing brought smiles and laughter no matter your age.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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Hahaha. Nice analogy!! Thanks for the very fun review.