Reviews from

Are we on Highway US 89?

Watch for signposts of truth and love

58 total reviews 
Comment from RenieReader
Good
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Annmuma: You've got an excellent story going here with a lot of wisdom in it. I like your code phrase to let each other when they are being stubborn. Strangely enough, we have that exact sign in Panguitch, Utah, on the way to Panguitch Lake which is NOT on US 89.

Geez, I haven't heard that since I was [a] kid in Louisiana in the early 1950's.

Do [you] know what a Christian is?

["]I'm wondering if you are a Christian."

and then make a choice as to who each [us==>of] us want to be our Commander-in-Chief.

We have [an==>a] duty to vote our hearts and our minds,

Lord, the wheels turn slow when it comes [to] changes in human nature.

Renie

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 Comment Written 04-Oct-2008


reply by the author on 04-Oct-2008
    Thanks so much for catching those mistakes. I'll correct them right now. My point in the story is that sometimes we are so convinced (not necessarily stubborn, just know we are right) that we can't hear any other side. One of my reviewers referred to it as 'brain scotoma' which is pretty much what I intended. Again thanks for catching the nits. I'll fix it now. ann
Comment from cherry_rose
Excellent
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I can see why this was selected as one of the nominees for stories of the month. You make some valid points here. I thought we had progressed beyond the thought patterns that would endorse the phrase "mingling the races". It's sad to find out people still use it. Good luck to you.
cherry_rose

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2008


reply by the author on 04-Oct-2008
    Thanks. I appreciate your comments and encouragement. ann
Comment from chaswriter
Excellent
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Ann - Excellent essay on the too common belief to stick one's opinion rather than check them out. I have run into too many people like Kim's husband, take my sister as an example.

You must be so proud of your granddaughter. She certainly has a thinking mind. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Charlie.

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2008


reply by the author on 04-Oct-2008
    Appreciate your comments. It is so difficult to constantly be checking things out. I know there must be times I suffer from brain scotoma when I am too convinced I know the truth. It's a challenge to face every situation with an open mind. I am so proud of my granddaughter. ann
Comment from pitmanette
Excellent
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You are right on the nose about that my friend. I work in domestic violence and every day we talk to people who say when asked, "Were you hurt?" "Only a little". And when they have been strangled say, 'he choked me.' There are big differences everywhere, and it scares me when people choose not to see them, I'm afraid it doesn't bode well for us as a specie.

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2008


reply by the author on 03-Oct-2008
    Thanks for reading and taking the time to share a generous review. ann
Comment from The Cajun
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You have the best of stories. I loved the story about your granddaugher.

The next part is troubling to me. I was arguing the same points. I asked some fanatics what is the mission of Christians. They got that right about mission work to show the love of God and teach about Jesus Christ. That's when I popped the big one. "Then aren't all muslims potential Christians if you show them love, kindness and faith.

Near my houe a Muslim church (can't remember the name) was built. Graffitti is all over the building telling the non-believers to go home. Not really Christian love is it?

Another said they should all be punished for New York. That is when I told him that on his premise all Christians should be killed for what McVeigh did to Oklahoma City. He did it on warked Christian beliefs.

Of cours I got the same answer -- That's different. Is it?

Anyway I loved your story.

 Comment Written 05-Sep-2008


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2008
    I do believe --I must, to survive-- that mankind on a universal basis has made huge strides toward tolerance and love and truth etc. But, individual pockets are filled with racism and hate and bigotry. We must be much as fly on a Rembrant trying to describe the whole painting from our angle. I know America is better than the "Dennis" of this world.

    Religion is the root of most hate and intolerance whereas belief in God and spirituality is the root of love and kindness. Such a conundrum boggles my mind. I don't care who votes Democratic or Republican or Independent. I just find it frustrating to hear people base their votes on lies and bigotry. I do a little studying of the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist and Christian faiths -- just to be sure what I believe. Sometime when I'm reading something from the Quran, it is almost as if it came from the Bible. Of course, the Muslims do use parts of the Christian Bible in their religion -- try telling that to a Christian! Anyway, I initially found it amazing how much common ground there is among all of these faiths. If only there were a way we could all meet there for the common good of our world!

    If you'll help me off the soap box, I'll just say thanks for the generous review and reading my story. I'm always flattered when I get a good rating from such a talented writer as you. Appreciate your support and enjoyed the conversation. ann
Comment from racingponies
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I think this piece is exceptional. I applaud your point of view as well as your writing and your ability to voice it effectively. The personal story you told at the beginning about your granddaughter I found very touching and the sign-post is terribly humorous. I think your points are well taken and I think you wrote them clearly and so that they are easily understood. Good job. My only suggestion is that I think the website you are referring to is actually:

www.snopes.com


 Comment Written 05-Sep-2008


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2008
    That website will be immediately corrected!!!! So sorry and so pleased you brought it to my attention. I am awed, honored and humbled anytime I receive a 6 star rating. I'm especially pleased that this piece rated well with you. thanks so very much for your support and your thoughts. ann
reply by racingponies on 05-Sep-2008
    You're welcome. Glad I could help.
Comment from c_lucas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I live about ten miles from US 89 which is being torn up to give it a face lift. A friend and I once drove to Canada on back roads. If I remember right we did it mostly on 89. I enjoyed your essay and I want to thank you for it. Our world has become so twisted that I expect you'll find some that will claim US 89 doesn't exist. Very good job.

 Comment Written 05-Sep-2008


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2008
    Thanks so much for the generous review. Do you live in Colorado? Glad you stopped by. ann
reply by c_lucas on 05-Sep-2008
    I live in central Arizona - Prescott Valley. Charlie
Comment from darkgreennights
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I had to give you six stars for that brave and sickening piece, sickening because that is just how some people think and talk. Sickening because thanks to poor education, refusal to read the facts, bigotry, I am going to end up with Sarah Palin for president, than these idiots will see, but it will be too late for the rest of us.

 Comment Written 04-Sep-2008


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2008
    Let's just vote our hearts and beg our neighbors to do the same. America is better than the "Dennis" of this world and we can prove it in November. I replied further in a PM.

    Thanks so very, very much for the 6 stars. I'm awed, humbled and very pleased to get them.

    Thanks so much for the conversation and generous review.
reply by darkgreennights on 05-Sep-2008
    Your right my friend, this calls for taking things damn seriously and giving rides to the polls the whole nine yards because if she gets elected the people in North Korea will pity us, and thats saying something.
Comment from AlvinTEthington
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a story that rings particularly true to me. I spent years teaching religion on the college level, and I often find when I write reviews I have to correct people who parrot what they have heard, be it about Muslims, Roman Catholics, or Jews. I definitely believe that someone should know WHAT s/he is criticizing before criticizing it. For that very viewpoint, I myself have been criticized, so I am glad to see this essay.

I do not know how Dennis can be married to a Hispanic woman and think mingling of the races is a sin; that boggles the mind, but I know there are people who live with total contradiction between their beliefs and their real life; I couldn't. You show that kind of personality well, however.

Upon the first read, I wasn't sure how the two parts of the essay fit together, but by the third read, I understood the message: When the truth "hits you in the face", listen to it.

Thanks for this much-needed message.

 Comment Written 04-Sep-2008


reply by the author on 04-Sep-2008
    Thanks so much and your interpretation is dead on. Thanks for hanging in there until it became cohesive.

    You know, I didn't even notice the whole Hispanic/white thing until after we had left the restaurant and my husband pointed it out to me. Dennis was so forceful in his expressions that I unconsciously accepted that he "practiced what he preached" EVEN THOUGH I KNEW DIFFERENTLY! That amazed me, but also reminded me that sometimes people tend to accept something said because of how it's said. I was so focused on arguing the truth of his beliefs that I failed to argue the disparity between his actions and his words. That is one of the reasons I included that fact in my essay.

    Thanks for the conversation. I enjoyed chatting with you. ann
Comment from brittanylemmel
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

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 Comment Written 04-Sep-2008


reply by the author on 04-Sep-2008
    I don't know what you mean by this review, but I hope you did read the work. Thanks. ann