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 Pearl Edwards
A very amusing afternoon you've shared, Rachelle even if the funny side showed up a little later. I guess the other lady went home telling about how helpful she'd been.
I have a friend who is 96 and her mind and memory is still spritely.
Typo -she's also an exceptional a friend (a?)
Enjoyed this write, cheers.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
  |
A very amusing afternoon you've shared, Rachelle even if the funny side showed up a little later. I guess the other lady went home telling about how helpful she'd been.
I have a friend who is 96 and her mind and memory is still spritely.
Typo -she's also an exceptional a friend (a?)
Enjoyed this write, cheers.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
-
Thanks for the warm review and the eagle-eye catch there, Pearl. Very much appreciated X 2!! xoxox
Comment from Mrs Anna Howard
Aw.. (this is such a heart-warming story) and ouch! ( glad you- and the woman are okay).. I so love your writing, makes me laugh so many times (laughing with you, not at you!) Love how you started and ended with the good. Thanks for sharing!
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
|
Aw.. (this is such a heart-warming story) and ouch! ( glad you- and the woman are okay).. I so love your writing, makes me laugh so many times (laughing with you, not at you!) Love how you started and ended with the good. Thanks for sharing!
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
-
And thanks for reading and reviewing! I love your feedback.xoxo
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hey Rachelle.
That is a very funny story. Your narrative was quite good because you didn't give away the secrets too soon. You kept the conclusion in the right place... at the end. You appeared to have great patience while writing that story. I'm sure it exceeded the patience you had when you were wrestling over the walker. I laughed out loud at several spots. I particularly liked your sophisticated, intellectual discussion with your rescuer. I wasn't smiling when I read that, I was laughing out loud. The story is very entertaining,,, and revealing. I'll keep your secret. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Your writing is excellent!
Z
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
 |
Hey Rachelle.
That is a very funny story. Your narrative was quite good because you didn't give away the secrets too soon. You kept the conclusion in the right place... at the end. You appeared to have great patience while writing that story. I'm sure it exceeded the patience you had when you were wrestling over the walker. I laughed out loud at several spots. I particularly liked your sophisticated, intellectual discussion with your rescuer. I wasn't smiling when I read that, I was laughing out loud. The story is very entertaining,,, and revealing. I'll keep your secret. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Your writing is excellent!
Z
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
This review makes me so very happy, Z.! Thank you for all the affirmations as to my patience. I really tried so very hard to be that way, but I'm afraid she took me beyond my limit! At least we're all getting a good laugh out of it now!! xoxox
-
You're welcome, Rachelle.
Comment from Carol Clark2
Your description of Phyllis is lovely and makes me feel a bit sad that I have not met her. Your story is so funny. I do hope you're not hurt, though. The next few days after a fall can be wretched. I like your dividing of the story into the good, bad, and very ugly. Blessings. Carol
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
Your description of Phyllis is lovely and makes me feel a bit sad that I have not met her. Your story is so funny. I do hope you're not hurt, though. The next few days after a fall can be wretched. I like your dividing of the story into the good, bad, and very ugly. Blessings. Carol
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
You'd love her, Carol; everyone does! As far as my injuries, I actually still have a scab on one knee! But I'm nothing if not a trouper! Thank you for this very nice review. I appreciate it. xoxox
-
I'm glad you're healing. Have a blessed week ahead.
Comment from EeanBlack
That was intense and amazing. I could actually see the events happening. Phyllis seems to be as amazing as you described her. As for the lady who tried to "help" you, I, myself, would not have been so nice. Phyllis would have had to extract her walker from that lady's backside. This is, as always, a superb piece of work.
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
That was intense and amazing. I could actually see the events happening. Phyllis seems to be as amazing as you described her. As for the lady who tried to "help" you, I, myself, would not have been so nice. Phyllis would have had to extract her walker from that lady's backside. This is, as always, a superb piece of work.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
Hahaha. That was going to be next if she hadn't let go of the damn thing! Thanks for this fun review, Eean. xo
-
I know I dangle your chain. Just enjoy yourself, which it seems you do.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Sounds like a fabulous person, Phyllis. If I have to live into my 90s, please let it be like her.
If I had a six... your writing is so good. But alas, all I can do is offer you a million dollars - 'offer', get it? (smiley face here)
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
Sounds like a fabulous person, Phyllis. If I have to live into my 90s, please let it be like her.
If I had a six... your writing is so good. But alas, all I can do is offer you a million dollars - 'offer', get it? (smiley face here)
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
This review is so nice, it's the equivalent of a million bucks, so thank you. I appreciate your kind and generous words every time. xoxo
-
I'm starting a new book. 'Say It Ain't So'
The first chapter has a bit of religion in it, but not the rest. Chapter 2 has a recap.
-
I'm starting a new book. 'Say It Ain't So'
The first chapter has a bit of religion in it, but not the rest. Chapter 2 has a recap.
-
Okay; I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip! xoxo
Comment from GWHARGIS
I'll bet you got your dander up when she kept calling it your walker. Sometimes, Helpy Helpertons won't take no for an answer. I love these Fly on the Wall segments. So glad they are back. Gretchen
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
I'll bet you got your dander up when she kept calling it your walker. Sometimes, Helpy Helpertons won't take no for an answer. I love these Fly on the Wall segments. So glad they are back. Gretchen
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
Oh, are you ever right!! I about SPIT those words out! And meanwhile, who's the one there all but hyperventilating from having loped from the middle of the parking lot! OY!! I love "Helpy Helperon." HAHAHAH! That's priceless. xoxox
Comment from Mark D. R.
Rachelle,
Quite a delicious and funny story you penned.
The good, bad, and ugly portrayed in the best light!
Friendship is so important and one that has survived and flourished 'double chai' years is even better.
Mark
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
Rachelle,
Quite a delicious and funny story you penned.
The good, bad, and ugly portrayed in the best light!
Friendship is so important and one that has survived and flourished 'double chai' years is even better.
Mark
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
I'm going to give this story to Phyllis tomorrow as part of her Valentine's Day gift. She'll love it. Thank you for this warm and gracious review, Mark. xoxx
-
R,
She will likely be very moved by your tribute! A big hug to her!
Mark
Comment from judiverse
First, a word. Do not be insulting to people who are willing to help. Who knows? The time may come when you do need it. Just a polite tone would have helped. Take you cue from your friend Phyllis. She thought it was nice that she offered to help. Dolly wrote a few weeks ago that she had fallen, and I believe she had been an aerobics instructor and keeps in good shape. Falls can happen to anyone. After I've had my say on that issue, I enjoyed your story about Phyllis. She sounds thoroughly delightful and very sensible. I'm glad she still has pizzaz and dresses accordingly. You demonstrate how close you feel to her. judi
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
First, a word. Do not be insulting to people who are willing to help. Who knows? The time may come when you do need it. Just a polite tone would have helped. Take you cue from your friend Phyllis. She thought it was nice that she offered to help. Dolly wrote a few weeks ago that she had fallen, and I believe she had been an aerobics instructor and keeps in good shape. Falls can happen to anyone. After I've had my say on that issue, I enjoyed your story about Phyllis. She sounds thoroughly delightful and very sensible. I'm glad she still has pizzaz and dresses accordingly. You demonstrate how close you feel to her. judi
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
Now, Judi, I didn't insult her; I just used my No Nonsense Teacher Voice because she was NOT, as my husband and I like to say, "reading the room." How many times was I supposed to say, "No, I don't need help?" She was WAY, WAY overstepping (e.g. grabbing Phyllis's walker and trying to wrestle it away from me?), and I was polite as long as I could before I realized that only a more forceful tone was going to work with her. I honestly feel SHE was the one who was so rude. And PS, once I told Phyllis all that had transpired, she, too agreed that Miss Helpful was way over-the-top. Enough was enough. [You do realize, right?, that the part that was in italics was just what I was THINKING I wanted to say to her. I didn't say those words or actually call her an Asshole. That was just something unspoken that seemed to hang in the air without actually being voiced.]
Thank you for your review all the same. You know I always appreciate whatever you have to say and that I respect and admire you very much. xoxo
-
As you grow older, you accept that people are going to open doors, etc. for you. What if you had really needed help, and no one came to assist you? Maybe the woman did overdo it with her efforts to help, but she meant well. Sometimes people who really need help don't want to accept it, so she might have thought that was your situation. She was too insistent, I agree. But at my age, I know what it means to need rescuing. Last year, I fell on the driveway when I was starting to get into my car. I was fortunate to have a neighbor standing by who called the ambulance for me, as I was passed out. Maybe that explains where I'm coming from. judi
-
Yes, it definitely seemed as if you had a personal stake in the argument.
-
Yes, there comes a time when you're glad to depend on the courtesy of strangers. I'm thinking you may have over-reacted because you were embarrassed about falling. judi
-
No, I reacted because I hate pushy people. If I say no, take me at my word.
-
I hope you didn't take offense from my comments. I have 20 years over you. (I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.) I realize that as people age, they have to rely more and more on the kindness of strangers, as that Southern Belle Blanche put it. I realize the woman was pushy (If you had blood on you, she must have seen that. Some people really need help, even when they say they don't. Maybe she thought you were one of those. I think we're looking at the situation from our different perspectives. judi
-
Judi, no; you are one of my favorites on here. I know you would never say anything to be offensive. I understood that we were looking at this from two very different perspectives, and that is totally fine in every way. I like back-and-forth discussions very much.
The blood on my knees couldn't be seen because my tights were black, and it wasn't until I returned to my car that I noticed the heel of my hand starting to discolor dramatically. (I'm one of those alabaster redheads; I always discolor vividly and at once.)
I just hated how bossy and officious she was...and also condescending. She was using that baby-talk clueless adults use on young children when they think that endears them to them. Children HATE that...and grown-up Seniors hate it every bit as much, if not more. It makes us indignant...as in, I've Been A Successful and Contributing Member of Society Since Before You Were Even BORN, Missy...GOT IT?! Now unhand my FRIEND's freakin walker!!!
Anyway, the good news is that it's in my rearview mirror now and has made for a fun read for our fellow FanStorians. xoxox
-
I read your reviews and noticed I was the only one who had a good word for the woman. Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. The woman might have been a worker in a nursing home, for instance, and they always speak to their patients like that. They can be offensive but mean well. Think what it would be like if no one came to your assistance when you really need it. judi
-
I have an aversion to anyone who talks down to anyone else. It's probably my #1 pet peeve in all the world. I NEVER, EVER talk to my students as if they're 'less than.' I have never understood that 'teaching method.' Ditto when I used to visit my MIL at the nursing home and would hear the aides talking to the residents as if they're puppies. So very degrading. My other pet peeve is bossy people who do not listen to one word that's being said. Instead, they just nod, waiting for you to finish whatever blatherings you're emitting so that they can then reiterate THEIR position. That drives me crazy. So, this wench tapped into BOTH those triggers of mine at once. Not. Good!!
-
We could go on and on about this. I agree people can be disgustingly condescending, bossy, or both. You are fortunate to have what you do, in addition to being a star on FS. I think the novel you co-authored last year was the biggest hit on the site. judi
Comment from patcelaw
This is a delightful story and I very much enjoyed listening to it sometimes when you say no people just don't listen. I have a bit of that problem with my son-in-law who is always trying to help me instead of letting me do things myself. I'm 87 years old almost and there are a lot of things that I can still do even though I'm losing my vision so I guess he thinks because I'm losing my vision I can't see to do things. Patricia.
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
|
This is a delightful story and I very much enjoyed listening to it sometimes when you say no people just don't listen. I have a bit of that problem with my son-in-law who is always trying to help me instead of letting me do things myself. I'm 87 years old almost and there are a lot of things that I can still do even though I'm losing my vision so I guess he thinks because I'm losing my vision I can't see to do things. Patricia.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
-
My husband and I refer to that as "not reading the room." Some people say 'no' but mean 'okay' to receiving help. But that does not apply to everyone, and it's a crucial life skill to understand that difference!! After all, who doesn't know what the road is paved with, right?
Thanks, Patricia, for this very nice review. xoxox
