Reviews from

Chasing the Elusive Dream

Viewing comments for Chapter 39 "Safe Keeping"
A southern couple's journey in the 60's,70's & 80'

33 total reviews 
Comment from lyenochka
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What a great story for that prompt! I remember parts of this story from your autobiographical writings. It's cool that the receptionist and you both had dreams that came true!
I do think that professor had a demeanor that inspired respect. Even in the 1950s there was a law in Portland, OR that people of different races could not have a meal at the same table together! It's shocking to me to learn of it and that is not in the Deep South!

 Comment Written 28-May-2023


reply by the author on 29-May-2023
    Thank you for the great review and comments. I'm a bit surprised there was a law in Portland, OR that didn't allow different races to eat together. I'm glad times have changed.
    Beth
Comment from patcelaw
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It is a shame that in this world so many times we miss out on a real blessing because we have a prejudiced of some sort. I loved your story. I have through my life and mini Black friends and change it I had gained enough lot from having them as friends. Patricia

 Comment Written 28-May-2023


reply by the author on 28-May-2023
    Thank you Pat. Over the years I've come to see that color makes no difference in the character of a person. We are all a little different from each other and if we can see the difference as a blessing and not a separation we can have a much better life.
    Beth
Comment from Jasmine Girl
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I like this story. Is it a true story? It sounded like a miracle because safes are meant not to be crack open easily. Otherwise it's not a Safe. I like to read this stories that came from your work life. I worked in a print shop when I was in high school just for work-study.

Well done.

 Comment Written 28-May-2023


reply by the author on 28-May-2023
    Thank you, It is a true story. The combination on the safe appeared to be slightly off and only Billy could adjust to make it work. On that particular day, I used the combination we had but I much have accidently moved it just the right way to cause it to open. I'm so glad you like my stories. I appreciate your reviews.
    Beth
Comment from Ric Myworld
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well, it's always a pleasure to read whatever you'll come up with next. This takes me back to a time in the early 1980s when I used to walk into a bar beside the Fairgrounds Race Track in New Orleans for a Choc-cola. One side was reserved for blacks and the other side was for whites. Something I would have thought would have been outlawed. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 28-May-2023
    Thank you Ric, I lived in New Orleans in the eighties. I'm surprised they still has separation for the blacks and whites. I thought that had changed by the late sixties. I lived there from 69 until 88. Thank you for the six stars. I really appreciate them.
    Beth
reply by Ric Myworld on 28-May-2023
    Yes, Beth, an old bar just outside the back gate of the Fairgrounds race track called Joe Stoke's Bar was still segregated in halves for whites and black. I always wondered how they got away with it, but it was like that the whole 20 something years I stabled and spent the six winter months there. :-)
reply by the author on 28-May-2023
    I've never been to a horse race, but it was on my bucket list and I should have gone while I lived there. I did work with a jockey once who did printing when he wasn't racing.
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
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This story was intersting, very engrossing and well written, and has a number of themes including racial prejudice and bias, addiction, and psychic happenings, all of which are treated with respect and care. Beautifully done. Unfortunately, I'm still out of sixes.
Wendy

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 28-May-2023
    Thank you Wendy. No probably about the sixes. I glad you feel it is worth one. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
    Beth
Comment from Wayne Fowler
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Very nice story. Very well written.
I'm not exactly sure what your character 'found', but it works for me.
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 27-May-2023
    Thank you Wayne. What I found was a way to open the safe. I think I changed the line that said that since the contest was over long ago.
    I'm glad you liked the story. I appreciate the review.
    Beth
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
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I guess I'm first confused as to how you were able to use an old post for a new contest. I thought "once posted, never reposted for a contest." Perhaps I'm still in the dark as to the rules on this site.

We've learned more about your former job and some of your colorful co-workers in this post. As far as the safe goes, and your psychic co-worker, I've had my own experiences and don't doubt these weird happenings for a moment.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Pam

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 27-May-2023
    I didn't use it for a new contest. The contest was over years ago. This is just a repost. . I changed the line about what I found since the contest was over, Sorry about the confusion. If there is new contest like the old one, I wouldn't be able to enter this. Thank you for the review and comments.
    Beth
Comment from royowen
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Oh yes. The atmosphere around us seems to be almost to be prejudicial, It's an interesting subject, why do people support different sporting teams in the same city? As my younger daughter supports the same teams I do, even in foreign countries, i think humans are tribal in nature, so bias can be normal, so being magnanimous is a decision, which I've made. And I'm sure you have, it's part of the godly predisposition, the Good Samaritan wasn't a random choice by our Lord, the Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews, yep, they are biased too! Beautifully written Beth, blessings Roy
Typo : Unaware such (a) meeting

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 27-May-2023
    Thank you for the review and comments. I wrote this in 2013. It is about a much earlier time. At least, things have changed in some ways for the better since then.
    Beth
reply by royowen on 28-May-2023
    I agree
Comment from Tom Horonzy
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Interesting story. I have one sister that swears she was visited by mom for a few years after dying. Note I did not say pass on thinking once you are promoted from wherever some wait they likely cannot communicate. Well done.

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 27-May-2023
    Thank for the review and comments. I don't claim to understand these things but I'm just guessing it might have been a angel who came in the form of her mother, knowing she needed comfort. Still that would seem dishonest and confusing. I hate to believe spirts of the departed are left here to walk the earth.
reply by Tom Horonzy on 27-May-2023
    There may be a weighstation spirits go before graduating to whatever mansion they are assigned, and that may not come until the Second Coming. Little sense of being concerned.
Comment from damommy
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What a wonderful story, and I'm glad it ended well. Thank goodness, those times have changed. I'm never sure if I believe in psychic abilities, but so many things happened in my lifetime that can't be explained, it makes me wonder.

 Comment Written 27-May-2023


reply by the author on 27-May-2023
    Thank you for the nice review. Yes, I'm glad times of have changed but predjudice still exist. I don't want to believe in physic abliities but then something happens to make me have second thoughts.
reply by damommy on 27-May-2023
    I know what you mean.