A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 29 "The Good, Bad & Very Ugly"A journal musings and assessments about situations
34 total reviews
Comment from Bill Schott
This essay, The Good, Bad, and the Very Ugly, is hilarious NOW in its aftermath and superior telling. I can picture the whole event as described and can imagine the mixed emotions of receiving help but not wanting the help at all. It kind of reminds me of my kids. My daughter still thinks I'm made of steel, though rusty, and my son thinks I will fall to a pile of puzzle pieces any moment.
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2025
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This essay, The Good, Bad, and the Very Ugly, is hilarious NOW in its aftermath and superior telling. I can picture the whole event as described and can imagine the mixed emotions of receiving help but not wanting the help at all. It kind of reminds me of my kids. My daughter still thinks I'm made of steel, though rusty, and my son thinks I will fall to a pile of puzzle pieces any moment.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2025
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A friend of mine, after I related this incident to her said, something I thought was very telling and accurate: "Helpfulness is just the sunny side of Control." Anyone under forty considers us geezers and worries about our every move. It does get exasperating!
Thanks for the nice review. I'm glad it gave you a chuckle. xoxo
Comment from pome lover
Of course you had on high heel boots in the snow and ice! Of course, you did. You are something else, and your description of "InterfereX" insisting on helping while you held, firmly to the walker, is hysterical.
However, I do admire you for handling that walker in and out of your car every week! I did that for a lovely lady friend of mine for a while and it was no picnic. And there was no snow an ice. And I had on flats! (wimp) :)
You dod write a good story!
Katharine
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Of course you had on high heel boots in the snow and ice! Of course, you did. You are something else, and your description of "InterfereX" insisting on helping while you held, firmly to the walker, is hysterical.
However, I do admire you for handling that walker in and out of your car every week! I did that for a lovely lady friend of mine for a while and it was no picnic. And there was no snow an ice. And I had on flats! (wimp) :)
You dod write a good story!
Katharine
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Hahahaha! Now THAT'S a hilariously delightful review!!! You are so fun, Katharine. Thank you for the good laugh exactly when I needed it most. xoxox
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thanks. And I forgot to comment on your injuries, which you were sort of asking for. (kidding! :) No, truly, I hope they weren't serious, and you're okay.
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My pride hurt WAY worse than my knees and palm!
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bueno!
However I thought PRIDE cometh BEFORE the fall, so maybe it is still intact :)
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Hahaha! Touche'
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Rachelle,
okay, anything that has me out-right laughing whilst reading, setting off all the right endorphins, making me feel half normal, is always going to be a winner for me. I guess it went back into a more serious tone when Ms overzealous came to the rescue... hmmmm, or not? So, straight away, I was wondering... no picturing, a good looking strapping male doing the same thing and offering his help, coming to a beautiful damsel in what may have seemed, distress? Okay, just wondering... no, I was picturing it and you did act much differently. I guess I was picturing the passionate redhead with the flirtatious eyes soaking up the attention, allowing every scrap of help offered? But, I am genuinely sorry for your injury, but was totally impressed by the nimble speedy recovery as if nothing happened to thwart your elegant persona... but impressive! Yet another perfect picture in my mind as you paint the scene.
Phyllis sounds absolutely divine! Jade and I had a friend who was ninety-six when she passed at her own request, who held the very same authority... most times I felt as if I should be bowing on every introduction, she had such a regal aura about her... yeah, really miss Jessica and our Sunday's together.
So, Rachelle, I found a connection in the way you described your relationship with Phyllis that Jade and had with the wisdom and attachment formed... nothing has been as special.
Really enjoyed reading this installment on 'A Fly on the Wall' I love all of the good, bad a very ugly... it's what makes us, us.
With our thoughts we create...
indelible relationships.
Kind regards,
James.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Hi Rachelle,
okay, anything that has me out-right laughing whilst reading, setting off all the right endorphins, making me feel half normal, is always going to be a winner for me. I guess it went back into a more serious tone when Ms overzealous came to the rescue... hmmmm, or not? So, straight away, I was wondering... no picturing, a good looking strapping male doing the same thing and offering his help, coming to a beautiful damsel in what may have seemed, distress? Okay, just wondering... no, I was picturing it and you did act much differently. I guess I was picturing the passionate redhead with the flirtatious eyes soaking up the attention, allowing every scrap of help offered? But, I am genuinely sorry for your injury, but was totally impressed by the nimble speedy recovery as if nothing happened to thwart your elegant persona... but impressive! Yet another perfect picture in my mind as you paint the scene.
Phyllis sounds absolutely divine! Jade and I had a friend who was ninety-six when she passed at her own request, who held the very same authority... most times I felt as if I should be bowing on every introduction, she had such a regal aura about her... yeah, really miss Jessica and our Sunday's together.
So, Rachelle, I found a connection in the way you described your relationship with Phyllis that Jade and had with the wisdom and attachment formed... nothing has been as special.
Really enjoyed reading this installment on 'A Fly on the Wall' I love all of the good, bad a very ugly... it's what makes us, us.
With our thoughts we create...
indelible relationships.
Kind regards,
James.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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James, seriously, you are a MASTERFUL reviewer! I feel like you're here at my kitchen table, and we're sharing cookies and coffee. Thank you for this wonderful schmoozefest.
No, if a man had offered the same kind of pushy assistance as Miss Helpful, I might have been even more caustic. I definitely do not like men seeing me as weak or incapable. But, to their credit, men seem to read that room way better. They ADMIRE women with pluck!
We're so lucky to know women like Jessica and Phyllis, aren't we? They touch our lives in great ways and make us much happier, overall better people.
Thanks for this beautiful review - replete with an extra star, no less! That's like applauding me after you've served me ice cream!! xoxoxo
Comment from mermaids
I enjoy reading about active senior citizens who are still participating in life. Phyllis sounds wonderful and I already like her from reading about her. Your tale is humorous and I am glad you were not hurt too badly from the incident with the walker. Your writing is excellent, I felt like I was there with you in the story.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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I enjoy reading about active senior citizens who are still participating in life. Phyllis sounds wonderful and I already like her from reading about her. Your tale is humorous and I am glad you were not hurt too badly from the incident with the walker. Your writing is excellent, I felt like I was there with you in the story.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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I wish you had been; we'd have laughed ourselves silly right there on the sidewalk!! Thanks for the very nice review. xo
Comment from Jim Wile
Oh, golly, what a funny story, Rachelle. Some people will just not take "no" for an answer and just keep insisting they know what you need.
Your friend sounds marvelous. I hope I can remain as "with it" as her if I ever get to be that age. What a great role model.
I loved this line: "Besides, I'm Jewish - a day without suffering would have no purpose or meaning." Very stereotypically funny.
I don't know if you know Yiddish too, but could you do me a favor if you don't and ask your friend if she's ever heard of a Yiddish word that sounds like "farfoofkit?"
My father-in-law used to use that word if something was broken or had stopped working. He would say, "It's farfoofkit." Perhaps he just made up the word, but he spoke some Yiddish, so I thought it was a valid Yiddish word until I tried looking it up online. I can't seem to find anything like it, but I like to use the word myself because I like the sound of it. My grandkids get a kick out of it when I use it too.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Oh, golly, what a funny story, Rachelle. Some people will just not take "no" for an answer and just keep insisting they know what you need.
Your friend sounds marvelous. I hope I can remain as "with it" as her if I ever get to be that age. What a great role model.
I loved this line: "Besides, I'm Jewish - a day without suffering would have no purpose or meaning." Very stereotypically funny.
I don't know if you know Yiddish too, but could you do me a favor if you don't and ask your friend if she's ever heard of a Yiddish word that sounds like "farfoofkit?"
My father-in-law used to use that word if something was broken or had stopped working. He would say, "It's farfoofkit." Perhaps he just made up the word, but he spoke some Yiddish, so I thought it was a valid Yiddish word until I tried looking it up online. I can't seem to find anything like it, but I like to use the word myself because I like the sound of it. My grandkids get a kick out of it when I use it too.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Hmmm. I know some Yiddish, but I don't know that word. So I will definitely ask Phyllis and get back to you! Stay tuned. (It IS a really fun word, isn't it!! And it could SOOO easily pass for Yiddish!!)
Thank you for this delightful review, especially for appreciating the awesomeness of Phyllis.
Your comment about the sterotypicalness of the " a day without suffering would have no purpose" reminded me of something my mother used to say: "Oh please; stereotypes come from SOMEWHERE!"
Anyway, thank you for this wonderful review and for the generous extra star. I appreciate both very, very much. xoxox
Comment from BethShelby
This is a hilarious story. I've been in situations like that where I want to maintain the impression that I'm independent and perfectly capable of taking care of myself only to have some good deed doer insist that they'd must help me realize that I'm no longer twenty.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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This is a hilarious story. I've been in situations like that where I want to maintain the impression that I'm independent and perfectly capable of taking care of myself only to have some good deed doer insist that they'd must help me realize that I'm no longer twenty.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Ugh. Isn't it the WORST!! We all know that adage about what the road to hell is paved with, right?!! Thank you, Beth, for this understanding review. xoxox
Comment from Michael Ludwinder
Wow, your story had me hooked from the very first line! The mix of humor and sharp observation made it such a fun read. I loved how you shared the absurdity of the situation with Miss Helpful. Her determination versus your equally strong will had me laughing out loud. Your voice shines through so clearly. I could really feel every moment. That ending tied it up perfectly -
sometimes, all you can do is laugh!
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Wow, your story had me hooked from the very first line! The mix of humor and sharp observation made it such a fun read. I loved how you shared the absurdity of the situation with Miss Helpful. Her determination versus your equally strong will had me laughing out loud. Your voice shines through so clearly. I could really feel every moment. That ending tied it up perfectly -
sometimes, all you can do is laugh!
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Oh!! This review made me feel SO good, Michael; thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the validation and the kind comment about my voice shining through. You really made my day here. Thank you times a million zillion. xoxox
Comment from Jacob1395
I love how entertaining your posts always are Rachelle and you always do a brilliant job of really capturing the moment in your writing. Phyliss sounds like an an amazing friend and to be friends for thirty-five years is incredible. Another excellent piece. I really enjoyed reading it.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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I love how entertaining your posts always are Rachelle and you always do a brilliant job of really capturing the moment in your writing. Phyliss sounds like an an amazing friend and to be friends for thirty-five years is incredible. Another excellent piece. I really enjoyed reading it.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Thank you, Jacob; you really do write just the nicest reviews. I appreciate your kind words very much. xo
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Do you want the word "serendip" or did you mean serendipity?
"she's also an exceptional a friend" -- get rid of "a"
Good grief, Phyllis is a dynamo... a "pizzazzy" dynamo!
I must give the woman credit for wanting to help you... how many people saw you fall and just walked by? But I've run into such people, and they just can't take NO for an answer.
So, how are your boo-boos? Swelling, bruising? I hope you're okay:-)
Thanks for sharing this delightful day with your friend. Today is Friday, so you're off to the deli? I hope there's no ice to deal with.
Happy Valentine's day!
xoxo
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Do you want the word "serendip" or did you mean serendipity?
"she's also an exceptional a friend" -- get rid of "a"
Good grief, Phyllis is a dynamo... a "pizzazzy" dynamo!
I must give the woman credit for wanting to help you... how many people saw you fall and just walked by? But I've run into such people, and they just can't take NO for an answer.
So, how are your boo-boos? Swelling, bruising? I hope you're okay:-)
Thanks for sharing this delightful day with your friend. Today is Friday, so you're off to the deli? I hope there's no ice to deal with.
Happy Valentine's day!
xoxo
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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No one else saw me because it was a very quick down-and-back-up...so quick that Miss Helpful should have realized that i could not possibly be hurt or need help.
Thanks for the catch with the additional 'a.' And I did want 'serendip.'
Comment from Wendy G
Lol. What a blow to your pride, along with your youthful sixty-eight years of life! Calling it YOUR walker! I think that would definitely try your patience!!! Definitely it would try mine. Phyllis does sound like an amazing person. VERY well written, with excellent pacing (along with humour and honesty!)
Wendy
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Lol. What a blow to your pride, along with your youthful sixty-eight years of life! Calling it YOUR walker! I think that would definitely try your patience!!! Definitely it would try mine. Phyllis does sound like an amazing person. VERY well written, with excellent pacing (along with humour and honesty!)
Wendy
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Yes, you're right; it wasn't bad enough she insisted on helping, but she imagined that was MY walker? That was even worse than when I turned FIFTY and received a big thick mailer from...THE SCOOTER STORE!!! Oy.
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What! The scooter store! What a cheek!
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Tell me about it!!!!
