Reviews from

A Fly on the Wall

Viewing comments for Chapter 28 "On...Tattling"
A journal musings and assessments about situations

31 total reviews 
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
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Tattling is in my blood but I'm not proud of that. I'm the youngest of five so there was a lot of innocent bullying against me. My one brother would wipe his feet after football practice and put his docks near fresh cookies he made, because he knew that would keep me away from the cookies. Sometimes you just have to tattle. This is a well written thought provoking story. It expresses what I believe too. There's a time to tattle and a tike not to tattle.

This reminds me of A Christmas Story movie when the boy's tongue was frozen to a pole but mo one would tell or tattle. Battling is a very particular art. If I ou tattle, it better be on the side of good and truth

That's my rationalization and I m sticking with it.

Best wishes,

Alex



 Comment Written 27-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 27-Jan-2025
    HAHAHAHAHA - "Tattling is in my blood." Now THAT is an impressive confession! Who admits to THAT?! Only a real woman; that's who! "Tattler and Proud." Proud to say I know you! xoxox
reply by Alexandra Trovato on 27-Jan-2025
    Ha Ha Thank you, Rachelle! It was my thing. My only weapon. They all had BIG personalities so, justified tattling! Yep. I own my good and if there's bad i would own thar too. Just kidding. It's my political nervousness talking. ;) Alex
Comment from Michele Harber
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Wow! I haven't seen a "Fly on the Wall" story in a while. You obviously lead a much more interesting life than I do. I'd need three lifetimes to get one book's worth of stories.

This is told with your usual dry humor and bluntness. It's not even that the stories themselves are necessarily funny, but you have a way of presenting them as build-up and punchline. ("Well," said Zachary quietly, lowering his eyes to the floor. "I did laugh.")

Of course, what I like best are the moments when your true sense of humor shines through in your side comments, like, "I know, I know; like there is any other kind?" and "No wussy little plastic ones for the Boomer generation!"

I do have to ask you one proofing question. (Would you know it were me otherwise?) Can I assume that "MasteTeacher," in your first paragraph, should be "Master Teacher?" I'm allowing for the possibility that there may be a term I'm not familiar with, but just in case ...

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 27-Jan-2025
    Oh, you are right! It was supposed to be Master Teacher. Thanks for the eagle-eye edit, and I will change it at once.

    Thank you, too, for all your comments and "noticings." (Teachers use that word frequently: Oh! Good noticing!! Stupidly, I used it once in a grocery store, when I was in the frozen food department, reaching for a can of juice. The woman next to me said, "Don't get that size; get THIS size. It's twice as big and costs the same amount." "Oh good NOTICING!" I exclaimed to her. When she looked a little afraid, I said, "Bet you can't tell I'm a nursery school teacher, can you?" Oy.
reply by Michele Harber on 27-Jan-2025
    Funny story. Did her look (as she slowly stepped away from you) say, “Uh, exactly what is it you’re noticing…?”
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
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Tattlers are right behind bullies when it comes to most obnoxious people because as your say, they are usually the ones who have created the havoc. Cries for attention come in all kinds of disgusting forms. thanks for sharing

 Comment Written 26-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 26-Jan-2025
    Sadly, the two are not mutually exclusive. Often, bullies are equally skilled at playing supremely as "victims," too. Wahhhh! What look what that horrible person did to me. Meanwhile, they had NOTHING to do with what befell them. No way! Why, they were totally innocent of ANY wrongdoing!

    I remember seeing that play out years ago at many a soccer game. The refs would hand out yellow or red cards to the guy responsible for the retaliatory foul, but not the one who initiated the confrontation.

    The good news is that most people are smarter than that these days.

    Thanks for the really nice review, Marilyn. xo
Comment from AP Apgar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What an excellent poem and picture presentation supporting - fly on the wall -lol clever - your poem is well written and tells a wonderful story about how children tattle on one another about crimes against humanity -
being the referee was a work in progress during those years - I got to the point where I would tape some of them for posterity - glad I did - listening to them now is a real kick - Your story is nicely done, and a fun read - thank you for sharing - Bless Alan

 Comment Written 26-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 26-Jan-2025
    Seriously?? That has to be SUCH a hoot to listen to now that they're grown!! What do THEY think of these recordings? My sister, who's a mother of four daughters, told me once, "You're not even really a mother. [I have just one daughter] You never have to deal with the 'She's looking at me. She's touching me. She's copying me.' part of it all."

    Thanks for the terrific review, Alan. xo
Comment from Iza Deleanu
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Your conclusion is top notch: "Tattlers have their PhD in that, I've learned." Thank you for sharing this story, sometimes we really don't see how the things are, and good luck with your writings.

 Comment Written 26-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 26-Jan-2025
    It's so true. Tattlers often take "convincing" to an art form, so it's easy to be deceived. But with time, they're easy to pick out. A person can only be a 'victim' so many times, and then people catch on.

    Thank you for this understanding review, Iza. Very much appreciated. xoxox
Comment from Jim Wile
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This was really amusing, Rachelle, with great examples of tattlers as instigators. I loved it when that bratty kid took a horseshoe to the head. Served him right.

Your sister certainly seemed to have mastered the art of guileful tattling. It's a good thing for your brother that your parents had her number. Also seems like he was quite the forgiving and compassionate one that he sneaked food up to her even though she tried to get him in trouble.

 Comment Written 25-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 25-Jan-2025
    She could do ANYTHING to him, and he never-but-never got mad at her. She adored him, too, but mostly because no matter what, he would do her bidding.

    And I read to Bobby your comment about Danny Lanuti, and his response was, "I like that Jim guy!"

    Thanks for the very fun review, full of understanding of the impetus behind all my words. You're so great that way.
    xoxo
Comment from GWHARGIS
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I'm afraid I was a tricky instigating tattler. Once I had convinced someone to do something, I waited until the deed was done, then ran with abandoned to the authorities. Never got caught or figured out. How about them apples. Lol. Sooo glad the Fly on the Wall is back. Wish I had a six. Gretchen

 Comment Written 25-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 25-Jan-2025
    WHAT??!! Nooooo! No more road trips for you!!! You're DANGEROUS!

    xoxoxo
Comment from Bill Schott
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I was never good at telling who lied about something. I guess I was raised to think no one would lie without being obvious. I spent years in the Marine Corps believing one sea story after another.

 Comment Written 25-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 25-Jan-2025
    You wouldn't be telling ME a sea story with this review, would you now, Bill? Hahaha. Thanks for the entertaining review! Xo
Comment from judiverse
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You use wonderful personal examples to enhance your accounts of tattling. Sister Linda was the boss over the older brother, Larry? She must have been a caution. Sounds like she could talk her way out of any situation. I supposed that's the way with tattlers. I think with older people tattling is a way of spreading gossip. These gossips will deny it if they're accused of starting the story. Yes, those who tattle may be the ones who actually did the deed. I think of Sid Sawyer, who was such a goody-goody and always blamed Tom for everything. Excellent story. judi

 Comment Written 24-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 25-Jan-2025
    Oh, that's right! I'd forgotten about Syd and Tom!

    And oh yes; Linda was DEFINITELY a "caution." She had a knack for getting any Y-chromosome to do her bidding. She had these huge, deep dimples, and she knew how to use them to her advantage!!!

    Thank you for another terrific review. Xo
Comment from Me and Erin G
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Enjoyable and an oh so true read. It got me to thinking about the origin of the verb "tattle" and the noun "tattle-tale". I, probably like everyone who writes poems or stories, love words and their etymology.
"Tattle" is from the 1400's, meaning to "stammer, prattle like a baby". It then evolved to "chatter or babble" and "speak foolishly". And by the 1580s became the word as we now know it, to "tell tales" or "spill secrets". Interesting.
Very well done Rachelle. Thank you for sharing! Neil

 Comment Written 24-Jan-2025


reply by the author on 24-Jan-2025
    Ditto for your review, Neil! Thanks for the info! xo