When Blood Collides
Viewing comments for Chapter 71 "Barbara's New Plans "A family's love is tested.
26 total reviews
Comment from sibhus
Ha, ha, what a couple of little, beauty queens, eh? Man, if the dressed kids like that today the parents might be up for child abuse, ha, ha. This certain must have one of those tragic happy moments of your life. It's good to see that you were able to have some pleasant moments with Barb toward the end. A good chapter, Spitfire.
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Ha, ha, what a couple of little, beauty queens, eh? Man, if the dressed kids like that today the parents might be up for child abuse, ha, ha. This certain must have one of those tragic happy moments of your life. It's good to see that you were able to have some pleasant moments with Barb toward the end. A good chapter, Spitfire.
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Thanks, husky, even if you don't appreciate our idea of fashion. :-)
Comment from Dean Kuch
"Barb continued to surprise me. "I'm checking to see if he can receive my social security. That's the good thing about knowing when you're going to die. You can make sure everything's in order. Even better, I can plan my own funeral." She laughed..."-----My mother-in-law did the exact same thing once she received the diagnosis that her pancreatic cancer had spread too far to be operable. She went to the funeral home and picked out her own casket, assisted her daughters in choosing the right flower arrangements. I watched in stunned silence as I took it all in. How could someone be so brave when faced with their inevitable death in such a short time, I wondered? She told me that I was looking at it all wrong. It wasn't she who was being strong. She was going to a much better place. It was her three daughters, youngest son, along with all of us who were going to be left behind who needed to stay strong for each other. But that's just the kind of woman she was.
"Bobby really likes Frank, and I do too," my sister (dontinued) "continued".-----..."my sister "continued", Shari...
This particular chapter recanted the fond reminiscence you and your sister, Barb, shared on your day spent together. But as is your custom, you end it abruptly while leaving us all with a sense of impending gloom and doom. But hey, that's what keeps readers interested and coming back for more, right?
Great writing here, Shari.
~Dean :}
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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"Barb continued to surprise me. "I'm checking to see if he can receive my social security. That's the good thing about knowing when you're going to die. You can make sure everything's in order. Even better, I can plan my own funeral." She laughed..."-----My mother-in-law did the exact same thing once she received the diagnosis that her pancreatic cancer had spread too far to be operable. She went to the funeral home and picked out her own casket, assisted her daughters in choosing the right flower arrangements. I watched in stunned silence as I took it all in. How could someone be so brave when faced with their inevitable death in such a short time, I wondered? She told me that I was looking at it all wrong. It wasn't she who was being strong. She was going to a much better place. It was her three daughters, youngest son, along with all of us who were going to be left behind who needed to stay strong for each other. But that's just the kind of woman she was.
"Bobby really likes Frank, and I do too," my sister (dontinued) "continued".-----..."my sister "continued", Shari...
This particular chapter recanted the fond reminiscence you and your sister, Barb, shared on your day spent together. But as is your custom, you end it abruptly while leaving us all with a sense of impending gloom and doom. But hey, that's what keeps readers interested and coming back for more, right?
Great writing here, Shari.
~Dean :}
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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For sure, the ending had to keep the readers wanting more. Thanks for catching the typo. Your mother-in-law thinks the way I do. :-)
Comment from chasennov
find my sister again. A chapter in the book When Blood Collides. Barbara's New Plans.' Oh how wonderful it is to find your family does not really hate you. But you are on guard. I wonder why. We'll find out. Very well done.
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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find my sister again. A chapter in the book When Blood Collides. Barbara's New Plans.' Oh how wonderful it is to find your family does not really hate you. But you are on guard. I wonder why. We'll find out. Very well done.
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Thanks, chasenov. A lot of good surprises still in store.
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I'm looking forward to that. Take care.
Comment from barkingdog
I enjoyed this calm beginning to what may end up as a not so calm ending to this visit. There is so much to be said and the nice things always come first. I hope things don't get too harsh or difficult for you. Barbara's dying is quite a lot to handle, no matter how brave she appears to be, she has to be frightened.
:) ellen
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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I enjoyed this calm beginning to what may end up as a not so calm ending to this visit. There is so much to be said and the nice things always come first. I hope things don't get too harsh or difficult for you. Barbara's dying is quite a lot to handle, no matter how brave she appears to be, she has to be frightened.
:) ellen
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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A lot of her feelings will come out in chapter 73, Ellen. You know I still can't believe she's gone.
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I know exactly how you feel, ((Shari)).
Exactly ...
Comment from ProSongwriter
Hi Shari ...
I always enjoy these chapter from your book. Some are funny, some sad and some bittersweet. But, they are always a joy to read. Your casual, down to earth writing style is so easy on the eyes and the brain. You paint great pictures with the simplest of words!
I saw one thing:
If it's not too complicated, maybe I'll buy try it."
*** I think you need to decide if you're going to use "try" or "buy" there ... not both!
Thanks cor another great chapter. Happy New Year to you and Frank ...
Alan
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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Hi Shari ...
I always enjoy these chapter from your book. Some are funny, some sad and some bittersweet. But, they are always a joy to read. Your casual, down to earth writing style is so easy on the eyes and the brain. You paint great pictures with the simplest of words!
I saw one thing:
If it's not too complicated, maybe I'll buy try it."
*** I think you need to decide if you're going to use "try" or "buy" there ... not both!
Thanks cor another great chapter. Happy New Year to you and Frank ...
Alan
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Caught the oddball spag, Allen. Thanks for keeping up. I still have a lot of messages to answer. Sigh. Everyone posting more than usual to get their quota in. What a race! One I won't win--not that much time to write except when Frank goes to bed and I can focus.
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My pleasure, Shari. And yeah, everyone's trying to jump out in front of the pack. Bit it will all even out within the first couple of months. I do almost all of my writing between 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM. Di goes to bed between seven and seven-thirty. I do a little clean-up around the house, put the dogs out on the back yard to do their business, eat a snack and then work on my music and my books. No interruptions or distractions after that ... usually!
Di is significantly disabled so I do most of the housework, cooking, bill paying, grocery shopping and outside maintenance.
Hope 2016 treats you and Frank well.
Alan
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Same here. Frank has a handicap sticker because he has Achilles Tendonitis made worse by a botched surgery. After five minutes on he feet, he's about to fall.
But the loss of memory makes it worse. Still, I'm glad he's alive and has kept his sense of humor and loves me unconditionally. What more can a wife ask for?
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You're right ... what more could you ask for? Wishing both of you a terrific 2016!
Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens
I always enjoy reading your memoirs of family.
This one is hard on the heart. I teared up when Barb told you she was dying. I have a sister named Barb and well and somehow her face got into the story. You have written this well as usual Shari.
I did find one little nit you might want to fix.
buy-try it ? wasn't sure if this is what you intended maybe buy/try or just either word.
Good job, Carolyn
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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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I always enjoy reading your memoirs of family.
This one is hard on the heart. I teared up when Barb told you she was dying. I have a sister named Barb and well and somehow her face got into the story. You have written this well as usual Shari.
I did find one little nit you might want to fix.
buy-try it ? wasn't sure if this is what you intended maybe buy/try or just either word.
Good job, Carolyn
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Nit fixed, Carolyn. The best compliment a writer can get is when the reader emotes.