My Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "Gate Guarding"My life after meeting Jim.
12 total reviews
Comment from lyenochka
Now that is quite an adventure! I enjoyed learning about using donkeys to ward off coyotes. But I wish I knew more about what "gate guarding" entailed. I wondered about the significance of the " steady flow of trucks coming in and out over night,(overnight)." So you and your husband both worked and you did the night duty?
So glad you learned so much about Texas. I lived in Houston for six years and so yes, that makes me a naturalized Texan. I can even pull out a drawl for communication purposes. ð???
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2020
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Now that is quite an adventure! I enjoyed learning about using donkeys to ward off coyotes. But I wish I knew more about what "gate guarding" entailed. I wondered about the significance of the " steady flow of trucks coming in and out over night,(overnight)." So you and your husband both worked and you did the night duty?
So glad you learned so much about Texas. I lived in Houston for six years and so yes, that makes me a naturalized Texan. I can even pull out a drawl for communication purposes. ð???
Comment Written 08-Oct-2020
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2020
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LOL Helen with a drawl, wow, amazing. Glad you liked learning about the donkeys. Okay gate guarding, we were lucky enough to follow the same man in charge for the year and a half we were there. We were responsible for documenting for every person that came in or left. Trucks, cars, crew's family, sales reps and even the owners of the land. Jim worked the day shift 630am to 9 or 930pm sort of. I did a split shift sort of, lol. While Jim was getting showered etc I made breakfast, then when he was on duty I went to bed until noon, that's when we had our big meal and I stayed awake until 6 pm then went to bed again until 9ish pm. If either of us had to go somewhere during the afternoon hours we did so, for example I did grocery shopping which was 50 miles away on Wed or Thurs. One of us had to remain on duty. I was the night person because it was easier for me to stay awake due to the night shifts I pulled when nursing.
Comment from Mary Hollingsworth
Well thats quite a drastic change of from caring for people to animals. My take on that is as long as your heart is in what you do all is left is adjusting to the new environment. Because if you love what you do it will show and the ones that you're serving will feel it and show their appreciation one way or the other.
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2018
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Well thats quite a drastic change of from caring for people to animals. My take on that is as long as your heart is in what you do all is left is adjusting to the new environment. Because if you love what you do it will show and the ones that you're serving will feel it and show their appreciation one way or the other.
Comment Written 02-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and then taking the time for reviewing, I really appreciate your kind comments and of course the six stars.
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Alie. I really enjoyed reading this. I will investigate "gate guarding" as it is a new term for me. Your adventures are very interesting. I agree that the country is so big and diverse that it offers something for everyone. Having lived in five different states and traversed many others, I surely enjoy them all. Marilyn
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2018
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Hi Alie. I really enjoyed reading this. I will investigate "gate guarding" as it is a new term for me. Your adventures are very interesting. I agree that the country is so big and diverse that it offers something for everyone. Having lived in five different states and traversed many others, I surely enjoy them all. Marilyn
Comment Written 28-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Marilyn, wow five states, for someone not living on wheels you have covered a fair bit. I am glad you are enjoying it.
Comment from Mabaker
You speak like a person who loves her country Alie, which is great we get so many negative reviews it's lovely to read someone loves it. As always this was so well written I read it twice. Great. Sincerely Alie, Anne.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2018
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You speak like a person who loves her country Alie, which is great we get so many negative reviews it's lovely to read someone loves it. As always this was so well written I read it twice. Great. Sincerely Alie, Anne.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2018
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Wow, thank you Anne for reading and reviewing, I appreciate that you read it twice, that was impressive. So how is Raymond doing and when are you posting something. luv u alie.
Comment from Spitfire
Ha! You sound like my daughter. She's tired of people too and much prefers animals as does her hubby. I, too, would enjoy the type of view you had. I can see where your work in the hospital would make you cynical.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Ha! You sound like my daughter. She's tired of people too and much prefers animals as does her hubby. I, too, would enjoy the type of view you had. I can see where your work in the hospital would make you cynical.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Thank you for reviewing, ahaaa I like your daughter already. I think it was more so the busy bodies who were not helpful to the patient nor the nurse.
Comment from Pantygynt
This is a good introduction to a new aspect of your life.
'Many a year I worked the night shift just because.' Words missing off the end here. You need 'of that or of this to make sense.
The switch from the account of hospital life back to the gate guarding seemed a little abrupt.
'Regardless of my occasional feelings it was still an adventure.' I think this needs a little enlargement to keep the reader on course. 'Regardless of my occasional feelings this new life... Should set us on the right track.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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This is a good introduction to a new aspect of your life.
'Many a year I worked the night shift just because.' Words missing off the end here. You need 'of that or of this to make sense.
The switch from the account of hospital life back to the gate guarding seemed a little abrupt.
'Regardless of my occasional feelings it was still an adventure.' I think this needs a little enlargement to keep the reader on course. 'Regardless of my occasional feelings this new life... Should set us on the right track.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Thank you for reviewing, I will correct those suggestions shortly. I truly appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Comment from poetwatch
I happy you liked Texas, Alie. But like in every state it is the people that matter. We have, I believe like every other state, a melting poet of fire, brimstone, and diamonds. Oil is a necessity, but all the companies are doing is fracking the ground, making it into a loose puddle of dirt. As money handlers do this deed, we, citizens of Texas suffer with a weakened ground. Earthquakes happen where none were ever reported. Yet, that progress where money talk bullshit walks. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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I happy you liked Texas, Alie. But like in every state it is the people that matter. We have, I believe like every other state, a melting poet of fire, brimstone, and diamonds. Oil is a necessity, but all the companies are doing is fracking the ground, making it into a loose puddle of dirt. As money handlers do this deed, we, citizens of Texas suffer with a weakened ground. Earthquakes happen where none were ever reported. Yet, that progress where money talk bullshit walks. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 25-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Wow, how awful, at least we were lucky that the rig was actually 'drilling' not 'fracking'. I liked being in Texas and the people did tend to either like you once they got to know you or they disliked you. For the better part, we found likable people. Thanks for reviewing, I appreciate your comments and especially your honesty.
Comment from ciliverde
I enjoyed reading about your adventures as the gate guardian, especially the part about all the animals you saw. That's pretty neat about the donkeys, I think they are smart creatures and I like them. There are three of them at the ranch where I ride, so I've gotten to know them a bit. Oh, I was lucky enough to spend time on the Blackfeet Reservation in northern Montana last spring.
Well done with your story :)
Carol
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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I enjoyed reading about your adventures as the gate guardian, especially the part about all the animals you saw. That's pretty neat about the donkeys, I think they are smart creatures and I like them. There are three of them at the ranch where I ride, so I've gotten to know them a bit. Oh, I was lucky enough to spend time on the Blackfeet Reservation in northern Montana last spring.
Well done with your story :)
Carol
Comment Written 25-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Wow then I am guessing you have had your own adventure. I like donkeys. That was great that you spent time on the reservation, Montana is pretty at that time of the year.
Comment from ChibiElf
I wanted to like it. You sound really interesting from your bio. I would like more of that in your piece. I don't feel your voice. If you have not read it to yourself aloud, please do so. Ask yourself "does this sound as I imagined it would? Is this what I really wanted to say? How can I describe this better?"
Some specifics:
Is the first line necessary?
Used "surprise" twice in the second paragraph. The paragraph is also awkward- rework it.
If you are surprised that you took the job, why did you? Tell us.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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I wanted to like it. You sound really interesting from your bio. I would like more of that in your piece. I don't feel your voice. If you have not read it to yourself aloud, please do so. Ask yourself "does this sound as I imagined it would? Is this what I really wanted to say? How can I describe this better?"
Some specifics:
Is the first line necessary?
Used "surprise" twice in the second paragraph. The paragraph is also awkward- rework it.
If you are surprised that you took the job, why did you? Tell us.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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I am so sorry you did not like this. I started it as if writing in a diary or a blog, impersonal yet personal in places etc. I will go back and see what I can do with those suggestions. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Comment from Nanny 6
What an interesting story this turned out to be... I learned something today about the rigs and gatekeeping... Sounds like a laid-back job with its benefits of watching wildlife in action... You make me want to go to Texas after reading this... most enjoyable
Judy
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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What an interesting story this turned out to be... I learned something today about the rigs and gatekeeping... Sounds like a laid-back job with its benefits of watching wildlife in action... You make me want to go to Texas after reading this... most enjoyable
Judy
Comment Written 25-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Thanks for reviewing, it was interesting. I think the only draw back was the 24 hour coverage, which meant that there was 'no me time' nor 'couple time'- one went shopping while the other worked, one slept while the other worked. The only time together was on days the rigs changed to a new site, then we moved the camper and we had the rest of that day and the night until 6 am off duty. But it was interesting, I enjoyed the wild life and I enjoyed Texas.