Grasping the Elusive Dream
Viewing comments for Chapter 16 "School Days and a Vacation"The Followup to Chasing the Elusive Dream
19 total reviews
Comment from Anne Johnston
Thanks for sharing another interesting chapter about your family. It is amazing how our children all have different characteristics, talents, and habits, even though we raise them the same.
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023
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Thanks for sharing another interesting chapter about your family. It is amazing how our children all have different characteristics, talents, and habits, even though we raise them the same.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023
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Thank you Anne. I appreciate the review. I hope your day is going well.
Beth
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You are very welcome, Beth.
Comment from Paul Manton
Oh Beth, there's so much here! I've read it through slowly twice and I'm still having trouble remembering things. [This is where lazy reviewers flourish - two sentence synopsis and goodbye! Wish I could be so callous? Never.]
People who never had kids or who are still single have no conception whatsoever of how complicated and downright difficult family life is! You are the guys who should get the Medal of Honor - and a few Purple Hearts along the way! Your kids are so disparate - and now add to that the fact that they're away from home - so that I'm not the slightest bit surprised that you say making plans is usually a futile endeavor.
The account of Niagara Falls, with all its emotionally overloaded antecedents, is a good example of 'The Vacation That Goes Horribly Wrong!' (See my 'Passover' version, if you haven't already!)
There is always the possibility, with complex characters like your tribe, that you might come back from a vacation more stressed than when you left. If you don't, then it's down to very fine parenting.
To let your kids try something, which you believe to be very unwise, is part of the territory - and I feel sorry for that poor little dog; how your intelligent daughter could not realize that from 6 months on (and preferably before) the dog needed exercise outside, beats me. Surely you advised her that's what she must do. In the UK, the RSPCA would have been calling to bring a summons for cruelty. It is inconceivable that anyone would think of keeping a dog like that indoors. In the light of this experience, couldn't you have talked your daughter into giving up the dog for adoption - or let another family member have become its owner? The net result was disastrous for Carol and the dog.
I could now write seven more paragraphs and a thousand more words, but this is quite enough. As I said before, that you can keep a family together, with such strong individuals, is down to fine parenting.
So, I toast some truly fine parents!
Paul
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023
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Oh Beth, there's so much here! I've read it through slowly twice and I'm still having trouble remembering things. [This is where lazy reviewers flourish - two sentence synopsis and goodbye! Wish I could be so callous? Never.]
People who never had kids or who are still single have no conception whatsoever of how complicated and downright difficult family life is! You are the guys who should get the Medal of Honor - and a few Purple Hearts along the way! Your kids are so disparate - and now add to that the fact that they're away from home - so that I'm not the slightest bit surprised that you say making plans is usually a futile endeavor.
The account of Niagara Falls, with all its emotionally overloaded antecedents, is a good example of 'The Vacation That Goes Horribly Wrong!' (See my 'Passover' version, if you haven't already!)
There is always the possibility, with complex characters like your tribe, that you might come back from a vacation more stressed than when you left. If you don't, then it's down to very fine parenting.
To let your kids try something, which you believe to be very unwise, is part of the territory - and I feel sorry for that poor little dog; how your intelligent daughter could not realize that from 6 months on (and preferably before) the dog needed exercise outside, beats me. Surely you advised her that's what she must do. In the UK, the RSPCA would have been calling to bring a summons for cruelty. It is inconceivable that anyone would think of keeping a dog like that indoors. In the light of this experience, couldn't you have talked your daughter into giving up the dog for adoption - or let another family member have become its owner? The net result was disastrous for Carol and the dog.
I could now write seven more paragraphs and a thousand more words, but this is quite enough. As I said before, that you can keep a family together, with such strong individuals, is down to fine parenting.
So, I toast some truly fine parents!
Paul
Comment Written 22-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023
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You amaze me with your long reviews. If you really want to know how stressful the trip was read the next one "Schelduled Stress" It is more amusing but true. As to the dog, we gave it to family in the country so I think its life improved considerably. Carol is a responsible dog owner now but it took years before she have a pet again. Thank of the great review.
Beth
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You don't get big reviews like that every time, Beth. The problem is, your stuff is so interesting!
Best, Paul
Comment from Spitfire
You used this post to describe everyone's aptitude including your own. Most interesting here is the trip to Niagara Falls. Great humor about her own roar!
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023
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You used this post to describe everyone's aptitude including your own. Most interesting here is the trip to Niagara Falls. Great humor about her own roar!
Comment Written 21-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023
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Thank you, I appreciate the review. I didn't tell a lot about the falls, nor about the flat tire just as we arrived there. I'm sure there was enough negative already.
Beth
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I enjoyed reading about your children's likes and dislikes and how they shaped up to be well adjusted adults. I loved the magical picture and all those people look vulnerable against that mighty waterfall crashing down like that. A fine post about your children's activities, this is action packed Beth, once our kids start work, they grow up fast, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 21-Jul-2023
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I enjoyed reading about your children's likes and dislikes and how they shaped up to be well adjusted adults. I loved the magical picture and all those people look vulnerable against that mighty waterfall crashing down like that. A fine post about your children's activities, this is action packed Beth, once our kids start work, they grow up fast, love Dolly x
Comment Written 21-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 21-Jul-2023
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Thank you Dolly, I pleased that you are still enjoying my story. I alway love your comments.
Beth
Comment from Ben Colder
When driving for Greyhound, I took a charter to the NEW York World fair then into Buffalo and on into Cananda at the falls. A beautiful trip. We also came out at where you did. Raising kids is beyond words. Good one, Beth.
reply by the author on 21-Jul-2023
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When driving for Greyhound, I took a charter to the NEW York World fair then into Buffalo and on into Cananda at the falls. A beautiful trip. We also came out at where you did. Raising kids is beyond words. Good one, Beth.
Comment Written 21-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 21-Jul-2023
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Thank you for the excellent review. It was the first time I'd ever been North beyond The North Carolina. I didn't get a chance to travel much until I got married. By that time Evan had traveled more than he wanted to, and he preferred staying home.
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No doubt he did.
Comment from Faith Williams
Yea, I agree about making plans on vacation. Sometimes I wonder if vacation is more of a hassle than just staying home. Another interesting chapter, Beth.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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Yea, I agree about making plans on vacation. Sometimes I wonder if vacation is more of a hassle than just staying home. Another interesting chapter, Beth.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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Thank you Faith. I am about to renew and older stroy that fits into my life here and it will show in an amusing way just how much of a hassle this trip was.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
I enjoyed this chapter. What a great idea to give Carol the responsibility of paying bills. It is a great life lesson. She was too immature too have a dog, let alone a puppy. Again another life lesson.
I can almost understand the disappointment when Connie cut short tne Niagara falls adventure. My family had no car, so that meant walking with the four of us kids over a mile to get to the subway and then walking to the park to see the fireworks. I let out such a scream at the noise, I probably drowned out the fireworks. They left early to the disappointment of my siblings to quiet me down.
Best wishes
Mary
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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I enjoyed this chapter. What a great idea to give Carol the responsibility of paying bills. It is a great life lesson. She was too immature too have a dog, let alone a puppy. Again another life lesson.
I can almost understand the disappointment when Connie cut short tne Niagara falls adventure. My family had no car, so that meant walking with the four of us kids over a mile to get to the subway and then walking to the park to see the fireworks. I let out such a scream at the noise, I probably drowned out the fireworks. They left early to the disappointment of my siblings to quiet me down.
Best wishes
Mary
Comment Written 20-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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Thank you Mary. I didn't like fireworks when I was young either. I really appreciate all your comment. I'm glad you enjoy my posts.
Beth
Comment from Wendy G
Looking forward to hearing more. Some people make family holidays sound like perfect experiences but they rarely are, due to living in usually smaller premises and gabbing experiences which different personalities don't enjoy. I like your honesty about your family life. Well written.
Wendy
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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Looking forward to hearing more. Some people make family holidays sound like perfect experiences but they rarely are, due to living in usually smaller premises and gabbing experiences which different personalities don't enjoy. I like your honesty about your family life. Well written.
Wendy
Comment Written 20-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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Thank you Wendy. It is true. I don't gloss over things so everything sounds pretty chaotic at times. I appreciate your reviews.
Beth
Comment from lyenochka
I remember your story about this trip and Evan had all those caffeine-related headaches. I am thinking now that his heart would have done better without the caffeine. Even decaf coffee gives my hubby palpitations. I am glad you all learned to work with each other so you adjusted to each other's needs while you traveled. Sounds like you made the best of it all.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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I remember your story about this trip and Evan had all those caffeine-related headaches. I am thinking now that his heart would have done better without the caffeine. Even decaf coffee gives my hubby palpitations. I am glad you all learned to work with each other so you adjusted to each other's needs while you traveled. Sounds like you made the best of it all.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023
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Thank you Helen, The next piece I will share was written over t2 years ago and it shows just how bad these headaches got on these trips. I don't anyone who reviews now has read and I worte it to be humorous but the truth is there. He didn't have headaches after he retired so I think a lot were stress related.
Beth
Comment from jmdg1954
Interesting chapter, Bet. I was getting confused with the kids, maybe you can identify them in the author notes since this will be a continuing story.
Don & Christi are twins
Carol - older sister ?
Connie - youngest ?
Thank you for sharing. I don't blame Connie for not wanting to wear that rubber raincoat. I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing something someone else wore.
Cheers to vacationing.
John
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2023
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Interesting chapter, Bet. I was getting confused with the kids, maybe you can identify them in the author notes since this will be a continuing story.
Don & Christi are twins
Carol - older sister ?
Connie - youngest ?
Thank you for sharing. I don't blame Connie for not wanting to wear that rubber raincoat. I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing something someone else wore.
Cheers to vacationing.
John
Comment Written 19-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2023
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Thank you John. You've got the kids right but I will list them as you suggest.
Beth