Reviews from

Do You Know The Muffin Man?

Was it Magic, or Tragic?

7 total reviews 
Comment from Norm Valentine
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Good analysis, Jim. I can see from your background where you came up with this idea.

I know the song well since my brother had to sing this song in grade school many years ago. I can still hum the melody.

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2023
    Thank you and keep on writing!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This poem reminded me of our neighbor's young daughter. She suffered from a brain tumor, and it distorted her head. As much as possible she attended school and was in my son's 8th grade class. Many of the students teased her, Jeff, my son stood up for her. After school, he would go to her house, play music for her and play games with her. She died that spring. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2023
    That is such a touching and sad story! I knew many people with such disabilities and all they wanted was the same things you and I desire.
Comment from Daylily
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A lot of people are wary of anything that is different. They do not stop to think about the feelings of someone having a physical difficulty. Perhaps, some day, they will acquire some wisdom and compassion. I am sure the people you have worked with in your program benefitted greatly, Jim.
Blessings, Lily

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2023
    Thanks! I knew many people with such disabilities and all they wanted was the same things you and I desire.
Comment from Bill Schott
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This seventy-five-word story, Do You Know the Muffin Man?, has the proper word count and tells a story about - uh - a Melonhead? That's all I know. ..........................

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    That's what they were called in Connecticut, and in other states as well. A shame, because they were just human beings.
Comment from karenina
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Melon heads were an eerie legend in an around Monroe, CT when I lived there! Frightening "humanoids" who lived deep in the woods...

Enough to keep us traveling in groups!

Sadly, as an RN, I also heard that term used for hydrocephalus...in which case
it was the "humans" acting like ogres!

Clever fiction flash...written as prose but cleverly infused with rhyme!

Karenina

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    Wow! The Monroe "sightings" were what I was thinking about! My wife, who also worked with adults with developmental disorders, and I even drove around the location but did not see anyone in the area.
reply by karenina on 14-Nov-2023
    It's one of the first "scary tales" I heard when my family moved from Rochester, NY to Monroe, CT when I was just turning eleven!

    (We never saw anything scarier than a rabid racoon)

    LOL...

reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    As I recall, someone stole the street sign, but I located the wooded area and it was peaceful and silent.
reply by karenina on 14-Nov-2023
    Good old Monroe...

    Never quite lived up to its reputation for scary things!
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    I was fortunate. When I worked "in the field", people were very sensitive about nomenclature. My Agency was called "The Society To Advance The Retarded and Handicapped". We changed it to "STAR, Inc. Lighting The Way." The people on our caseloads' nomenclature also changed from "clients" to "consumers" to "those we serve".
reply by karenina on 14-Nov-2023
    Love that! The acronym is so positive and uplifting! And my "patients" were always my "clients" -- even with Alzheimer's they reacted better to that respectful name...
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    When I entered college, huge institutions were the norm, When I entered my job, people were doing their best to see those with needs and challenges became valued members of the community.
Comment from Chuck Keller
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Another surprising twist. Your writing is always impressive, Sir.
I'm glad to be a new friend and fan.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks for becoming my fan.

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    I'm very thankful and I hope I do not disappoint you!
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I knew someone who had that condition but that word mellonhead is not nice it's bullying. If I were that baker I wouldn't have baked them a thing.

Good writing though,

Alex

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2023

reply by the author on 14-Nov-2023
    Yes, I hated that term. So many terms, like idiot, imbecile, moron, etc. used to be used commonly. Thankfully, by the time I was Program Coordinator, things had gone the other way. My Agency was called "The Society To Advance The Retarded And Handicapped". We changed it to: "STAR, Inc. Lighting The Way."