Remembering Yesterday
Viewing comments for Chapter 12 "Learning Our Roles in Marriage"A widow's journey into her relationship with her
13 total reviews
Comment from alexisleech
I bet she did! How embarrassing. When a grandparent dies, you seem to grow up quicker, and I wonder if that happened to you. I'm living in the hope that she might have left you some money so you could move out of that ghastly apartment. I have my children and grandchildren coming for Christmas day, so I've been beavering away decorating my new home in preparation for the 25th, so reading your story has been an enjoyable distraction when I take a break!
Alexis xxx
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2020
I bet she did! How embarrassing. When a grandparent dies, you seem to grow up quicker, and I wonder if that happened to you. I'm living in the hope that she might have left you some money so you could move out of that ghastly apartment. I have my children and grandchildren coming for Christmas day, so I've been beavering away decorating my new home in preparation for the 25th, so reading your story has been an enjoyable distraction when I take a break!
Alexis xxx
Comment Written 23-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2020
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My grandparents lived very frugally. The had land but no money. Grandpa had a gristmill, horses, cows, honey bees, a blacksmith job, pigs, and chickens. Grandma made her own soap and cooked on wood stove. She milked cows and grew a garden.
Beth
Beht
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
What a challenge we have when we first get married. I do like the idea that we are not the only ones who have trying times after our marriage vows are read, for better or worse.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2020
What a challenge we have when we first get married. I do like the idea that we are not the only ones who have trying times after our marriage vows are read, for better or worse.
Comment Written 29-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2020
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I really did some dumb stuff when I first got married. I really appreciate you sticking with this story.
Beth
Comment from TallySally
Hi, Beth - You have quite a sense of humor there, Lady. You had me rolling with the 'no bugs in the oven!' Also the Tupperware melt-down. Those steamy love-notes can get us in so much trouble.
The information of the doctor's behavior has a familiar ring to it - I think the women in our generation were very naive and some doctors saw us as fair game.
I loved the part when your grandma played store with you - what a picture of love.
The after-the-funeral activities and the plumbing problem was really funny. What do you do with the darned things?
Really great concepts.
Have you ever considered using dialogue a little more. You did it so well with the conversation with the feuding neighbors. You'd have to rework some of the surrounding text to lead into the dialogue but it might set up the humor more.
Example -
We hadn't lived in that apartment long when Nan called to say your mom, dad and sisters, Helen, and she, were coming for a visit. Nan said, "Since we know you're so busy with school, we'll bring the food." My guess is, they'd heard about the Tupperware.
Noticed a couple of minor things: 'unset' and you could drop the 'verbal' in front of 'arguments.'
Great story. Keep them coming - this one's really entertaining. Seemed like you were a lot more comfortable in your composition with this one. Kudos!
Relda
reply by the author on 17-Feb-2020
Hi, Beth - You have quite a sense of humor there, Lady. You had me rolling with the 'no bugs in the oven!' Also the Tupperware melt-down. Those steamy love-notes can get us in so much trouble.
The information of the doctor's behavior has a familiar ring to it - I think the women in our generation were very naive and some doctors saw us as fair game.
I loved the part when your grandma played store with you - what a picture of love.
The after-the-funeral activities and the plumbing problem was really funny. What do you do with the darned things?
Really great concepts.
Have you ever considered using dialogue a little more. You did it so well with the conversation with the feuding neighbors. You'd have to rework some of the surrounding text to lead into the dialogue but it might set up the humor more.
Example -
We hadn't lived in that apartment long when Nan called to say your mom, dad and sisters, Helen, and she, were coming for a visit. Nan said, "Since we know you're so busy with school, we'll bring the food." My guess is, they'd heard about the Tupperware.
Noticed a couple of minor things: 'unset' and you could drop the 'verbal' in front of 'arguments.'
Great story. Keep them coming - this one's really entertaining. Seemed like you were a lot more comfortable in your composition with this one. Kudos!
Relda
Comment Written 17-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 17-Feb-2020
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Thank you so much for the delightful comments. Some days my sense of humor comes our more than others. Some things are just funnier than others. I'm trying to stay factual for my children. The whole thing is me talking to my husband and reminding him of what we shared so I've not used a lot dialogue because I didn't know if too much wouldn't distract from what I trying to do. Your suggestion is good and I could probably use a bit more.Thanks for catching the spags. I hope you keep reading. Some will make you laugh more than others.
Beth
Comment from Sasha
I was a terrible cook too. I didn't even know how to use the stove. I enjoyed this trip down memory lane. It brought back fond and not so fond memories. I look forward the the next installment. This is definitely worthy of 6 stars and I am thrilled to still have one.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
I was a terrible cook too. I didn't even know how to use the stove. I enjoyed this trip down memory lane. It brought back fond and not so fond memories. I look forward the the next installment. This is definitely worthy of 6 stars and I am thrilled to still have one.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
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Thank you so much Sasha. I'm flattered that you consider it worth six stars. I didn't think I was the only girl who couldn't cook. Life is a learning experience Eventually I did learn and I'll be you did as well.
Beth
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Not really, I am a terrible cook. I am fortunate I have Agustin and Veronica to cook for me now.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Beth, This is really an interesting story. It is bringing back so many memories of my early days of marriage. The small apartments, etc, however I was a fairly good cook because I was interested in cooking and helped my mother a lot. Write on! Nancy:)
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
Beth, This is really an interesting story. It is bringing back so many memories of my early days of marriage. The small apartments, etc, however I was a fairly good cook because I was interested in cooking and helped my mother a lot. Write on! Nancy:)
Comment Written 16-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
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I'm ashamed about how little I knew. I could make cakes and cookies and follow a recipe to an extent, but after I went back to school I had very little time to play around with learned more about cooking I am finally a pretty cook. Thanks for review and commenting.
Beth
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Once again I enjoyed reading your post. I am so glad you are writing this. I know many young married couples will enjoy knowing even today that this is normal. Although the time period puts a new twist to it.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
Once again I enjoyed reading your post. I am so glad you are writing this. I know many young married couples will enjoy knowing even today that this is normal. Although the time period puts a new twist to it.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
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Thank you again for continuing to read and comment. Some things change while others stay the same. I'm sure marriage today can have as many up and downs as it did back then. Just different ones, maybe. It can be a challenge at any age.
Beth
Comment from Sankey
Good work and finally a SIX. Quite an adventurous marriage you had and the gossips and so on to keep you going. Keep up the great storytelling. I am really enjoying it.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
Good work and finally a SIX. Quite an adventurous marriage you had and the gossips and so on to keep you going. Keep up the great storytelling. I am really enjoying it.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
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I'm glad to see you back you missed a couple. I really appreciate the six star review. I had a long day Friday. My son had a six hour heart procedure at the hospital. I was there from nine to after midnight. Thank the Lord, everything worked our. I really appreciate the six stars. I hope everything is going well with you.
Beth
Comment from Alchera
I did like the downwards storyline one way through as the woman became more expert of what should have been taught before by her ignorant mother in particular about the household and her couple behaviour for those years ( the fifties). Her forgetfulness is really strange for a teaching teacher within her domestic walls. Her life's innocent embarrassment becomes clumsy and hasn't the strength to react at the different abuses and above all her life's unworthy wrong Man. There is a lot more to say about this female character. A great joycean characterization.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
I did like the downwards storyline one way through as the woman became more expert of what should have been taught before by her ignorant mother in particular about the household and her couple behaviour for those years ( the fifties). Her forgetfulness is really strange for a teaching teacher within her domestic walls. Her life's innocent embarrassment becomes clumsy and hasn't the strength to react at the different abuses and above all her life's unworthy wrong Man. There is a lot more to say about this female character. A great joycean characterization.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
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Thank you so much for the six star review. I really appreciate it. You do know that this is a true story and that I'm the female character. I should have learned some things before getting married. I just wasn't interested in household things because I didn't think I wanted to get married. My husband wasn't perfect but he wasn't the wrong man. We had a wonderful marriage and we were together 61 years, We both just had some life lessons to endure. Thanks for continuing to read.
Beth
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I apologise for that but I am happy for your marriage . I would have told the story in third person singular instead of I using a nick name for the female characterazation letting yourself being free to invent and create much more as in Eveline in James Joyce with your detailed writing. Take care and blessings Tony
Comment from Spitfire
LOLOL. Both plumber and Mom must have howled when they found the condom.
Like you, I had no cooking knowledge when I got married.
Leaving a love note every day may have save your marriage. :-)
(pie) covered with a gray inch-high growth of fungus. I can picture that from personal experience with bread and cheese.
A fun read.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
LOLOL. Both plumber and Mom must have howled when they found the condom.
Like you, I had no cooking knowledge when I got married.
Leaving a love note every day may have save your marriage. :-)
(pie) covered with a gray inch-high growth of fungus. I can picture that from personal experience with bread and cheese.
A fun read.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2020
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Yep, it if fun to remember and laugh about all those crazy thing that happened long ago. I really appreciate the way you hand out those precious six stars. Thanks a million.
Beth
Comment from Drew Delaney
Some of the things you write happened to me too. But one thing, I managed to cook on my days off and one day I made an apple pie, but the oven got too hot, and half burned it. I broke into tears when my husband got home.
There are a few typos that need fixing otherwise, your story is very engaging and enjoyable.
he visits by our landlord grew ... he needs to be The
you firghtened me. .. frightened
I'm didn't question her faith ... remove 'm
Drew xx
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2020
Some of the things you write happened to me too. But one thing, I managed to cook on my days off and one day I made an apple pie, but the oven got too hot, and half burned it. I broke into tears when my husband got home.
There are a few typos that need fixing otherwise, your story is very engaging and enjoyable.
he visits by our landlord grew ... he needs to be The
you firghtened me. .. frightened
I'm didn't question her faith ... remove 'm
Drew xx
Comment Written 15-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2020
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Thank you so much for the review and for noticing the typos. I've already fixed them because someone else had pointed them out as well.
Beth