Detour
Viewing comments for Chapter 18 "Simple Gifts (Gretchen's side)"Two very real women in not so real situation.
26 total reviews
Comment from LJbutterfly
I am truly enjoying this engaging, double-sided fun story, written from two perspectives. I love your positive outlook, as you make the most of your circumstances. I also enjoy your down to earth, humorous descriptions, like using corn cobs to wipe tearful eyes, or Rachell not weighing a hundred pounds with rocks in her pockets. Also, I love the unusual adventure of this story, and look forward to the next chapter.
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2024
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I am truly enjoying this engaging, double-sided fun story, written from two perspectives. I love your positive outlook, as you make the most of your circumstances. I also enjoy your down to earth, humorous descriptions, like using corn cobs to wipe tearful eyes, or Rachell not weighing a hundred pounds with rocks in her pockets. Also, I love the unusual adventure of this story, and look forward to the next chapter.
Comment Written 22-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2024
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Thank you so much. This has been a blast to write. Gretchen
Comment from Jim Wile
I enjoyed your take on things very much, Gretchen, especially the fact that you stuck your tongue out at that brat!
You have a wonderful way of keeping things real, neither getting too cynical and annoying or too gaga over how different and interesting everything is in this rather primitive community. You give us a proper dose of reality in this situation you are in. But you are flexible to the extent that even a song that usually annoys you, you can find beautiful when sung this way.
I hope you finally make it to the convention because I'll be sure to seek you out there!
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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I enjoyed your take on things very much, Gretchen, especially the fact that you stuck your tongue out at that brat!
You have a wonderful way of keeping things real, neither getting too cynical and annoying or too gaga over how different and interesting everything is in this rather primitive community. You give us a proper dose of reality in this situation you are in. But you are flexible to the extent that even a song that usually annoys you, you can find beautiful when sung this way.
I hope you finally make it to the convention because I'll be sure to seek you out there!
Comment Written 21-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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I follow Rachelle's lead. This has been easy for me to write. She does all the heavy lifting. Lol. I hope we make it there as well. I'll wear my name tag so you'll be sure to find me. Thank you so much, Jim. This was a fabulous review. Gretchen
Comment from jmdg1954
Yikes, Rochelle better eat before she wittles down to nothing... She isn't a hundred pounds soaking wet with rocks in her pockets to begin with.
Good chapter, lots of info on a different lifestyle. I enjoyed it.
I read a few comments on readers disagreeing with you because of your stance on Amazing Grace, and I feel they are wrong. Aren't you entitled to your own opinion, likes or dislikes? Why are people so opinionated when there opinion means crap?
Anyway, looking for the next chapter.
John
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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Yikes, Rochelle better eat before she wittles down to nothing... She isn't a hundred pounds soaking wet with rocks in her pockets to begin with.
Good chapter, lots of info on a different lifestyle. I enjoyed it.
I read a few comments on readers disagreeing with you because of your stance on Amazing Grace, and I feel they are wrong. Aren't you entitled to your own opinion, likes or dislikes? Why are people so opinionated when there opinion means crap?
Anyway, looking for the next chapter.
John
Comment Written 21-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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I don't care whether people understand or not. Lol. I'm pretty stubborn. Thank you for this. I knew I was going to get a lit of flack for saying that. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Gretchen
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
"you learn what's important." Like getting the hell out, lol!
Is that true about the faceless dolls? There is a lesson in everything, isn't there?
We got a good look at what you were doing while Rachelle was conducting the choir. I liked the split perspective of this chapter.
Thanks for sharing.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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"you learn what's important." Like getting the hell out, lol!
Is that true about the faceless dolls? There is a lesson in everything, isn't there?
We got a good look at what you were doing while Rachelle was conducting the choir. I liked the split perspective of this chapter.
Thanks for sharing.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 21-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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Thank you, Pam. It is true about the dolls. It's an Indian thing as well as Amish. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Gretchen
Comment from Sanku
And it is not exactly a pleasant thing to know that 'god knows what He is doing" A lot of question come up .Knowingly why would He shower unhappiness over some ?.. It is getting interesting .Hope the cousin would come to save you both ..
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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And it is not exactly a pleasant thing to know that 'god knows what He is doing" A lot of question come up .Knowingly why would He shower unhappiness over some ?.. It is getting interesting .Hope the cousin would come to save you both ..
Comment Written 21-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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There is a lot of suffering, but there is also a lot of good. I'm hoping the cousin listens to her messages as well. The food is good but the entertainment factor not so much. Thank you for this. Gretchen
Comment from Neonewman
I love all the author notes, Gretchen. You hit on all the things I was going to comment about. Well, except when you didn't have any corn cobs to wipe Rachelle's tears with. That cracked me up! I'm off to visit Rachelle's version.
God bless,
Steve
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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I love all the author notes, Gretchen. You hit on all the things I was going to comment about. Well, except when you didn't have any corn cobs to wipe Rachelle's tears with. That cracked me up! I'm off to visit Rachelle's version.
God bless,
Steve
Comment Written 20-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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Thank you, Steve. I'm glad you enjoyed this. And the author notes are becoming my favorite parts. Lol. Thank you again. Gretchen
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Mine too. I enjoy the story between you and Rachel.
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Oh Honest One,
I loved the story and the notes at the end. I don't stick my tongue out at anyone, but I'm not above yelling at a kid if they are disrespectful or really pissed me off. I don't like Amazing Grace either, but I downloaded a song by that name by a country group, The Amazing Rhythm Aces. The first words are - "Amazing Grace used to be her favorite song." It's about a gal who went from religious to a wild child in an attempt to change her husband's ways. It's funny.
Sometimes we think we have a lot more knowledge or control than we actually do, but if we are patient, we can usually see the wisdom of God in different situations. Well done gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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Hello Oh Honest One,
I loved the story and the notes at the end. I don't stick my tongue out at anyone, but I'm not above yelling at a kid if they are disrespectful or really pissed me off. I don't like Amazing Grace either, but I downloaded a song by that name by a country group, The Amazing Rhythm Aces. The first words are - "Amazing Grace used to be her favorite song." It's about a gal who went from religious to a wild child in an attempt to change her husband's ways. It's funny.
Sometimes we think we have a lot more knowledge or control than we actually do, but if we are patient, we can usually see the wisdom of God in different situations. Well done gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 20-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2024
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Thank you, Tom. So far, you and I are in the minority about Amazing Grace. Lol. I'm taking a lot of flack about it. But, I'm not gonna lie. I really appreciate this. Gretchen
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
Poor Rachelle may starve to death before this ordeal is over! And I don't trust those creepy corn husk dolls with no faces. It all sounds very hoodoo voodoo to me! Just do me a favor and don't keep the dolls under your bed. :-)
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2024
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Poor Rachelle may starve to death before this ordeal is over! And I don't trust those creepy corn husk dolls with no faces. It all sounds very hoodoo voodoo to me! Just do me a favor and don't keep the dolls under your bed. :-)
Comment Written 20-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2024
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I love dolls. Always have. Lol. You could lock me in a room full and I'd be holding them and playing with their hair. Lol. According to Indian legend, the faceless doll promotes humility. Actually a great concept. Thank you for this fun review. Gretchen
Comment from lyenochka
Enjoyed your list of blessings in spite of the dire situation you are in. You added levity and your humorous jab with the "corn cob" comment and even the sticking out the tongue at the little girl who criticizes the blueberry picking skills. Yet, you noted beauty in the dolls and the beauty of the music and how Rachelle is using her gift in music while staying with these unusual hosts.
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2024
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Enjoyed your list of blessings in spite of the dire situation you are in. You added levity and your humorous jab with the "corn cob" comment and even the sticking out the tongue at the little girl who criticizes the blueberry picking skills. Yet, you noted beauty in the dolls and the beauty of the music and how Rachelle is using her gift in music while staying with these unusual hosts.
Comment Written 19-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2024
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Thank you very much. You pulled the parts of the story that some didn't. I appreciate this wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Being cut off from familiar civilization is getting more real all the time, apparently more so for Rachelle. Learning to make a corncob doll is bound to be interesting and challenging.
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2024
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Being cut off from familiar civilization is getting more real all the time, apparently more so for Rachelle. Learning to make a corncob doll is bound to be interesting and challenging.
Comment Written 19-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2024
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I love doing crafts, especially ones that I've admired from afar. Thank you so much for this nice review. Gretchen