Comment from Tim Margetts

Excellent

Loved this read, a great short story with potential to be expanded much further.
I just feel that the poor janitors life could be a fascinating one to delve into in greater detail.

 Comment Written 26-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Oct-2024

Hi Tim,
thanks so much for the delightful review. I did janitorial contract work for the U S Forest Service for years. It was actually quite lucrative, but like any kind of work for the government, it was rife with paperwork and rules and regulations.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from Y. M. Roger

Excellent

Oh my goodness gracious... what a disaster!! This is a great offering for the prose contest, but you have entered it as a poetry offering... ? Thanx for sharing and best of luck! ;)

 Comment Written 26-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Oct-2024

Hi Y.M.
thanks for the interesting review. It shouldn't have gone in as a poetry offering, I don't know why it did. It was for a contest in which I took third place. Sometimes the fine print of the contests are rather hard to comprehend, or perhaps I just didn't look at it.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

Tom, this was hilarious. I love that you were going about your normal business, yet ducking away from the things you didn't want to deal with. The part about the hidden sandwich staying under the fat woman's jugs about did me in. That was some comical writing. Good luck in the contest. Gretchen

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 26-Oct-2024

Hi Gretchen,
thanks so much for the outstanding review gal. I took third place in the contest, so it wasn't a washout. The subject matter happened to interest me. The part about the lady hiding things under her massive breasts is actually true. My daughter Liz worked at a facility in Juneau. The gal was all the time stealing things and hiding them under her boobs. When the poor assistants had to give her a sponge bath, they'd find things-keys, tissues, I believe food- ugh. It was both gross and incredibly funny. The part about the lady sitting in the front foyer with the depends around her ankles was too. I told Liz about it, and she just kind of laughed, apparently it wasn't all that unusual of behavior for that lady. When I visited mom at an assisted living facility after she got Alzheimer's, I saw all kinds of stuff. One time mom was moving her hand back and forth like she was throwing something underhand. I asked what she was doing and she said she was feeding the chickens. OK.... I didn't realize there were chickens in the facility. The guy across the hallway from mom would holler out- "OH Jesus! Oh God!' like he was in pain. It was a little unnerving. I was talking to one lady who asked what my husband did for a living. I don't have a high voice, and I've worn a mustache for over forty years, so that conversation didn't take off. What happens in the mind is indeed a mystery.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom

reply by GWHARGIS on 26-Oct-2024

You need to write your own story about that last one asking you what your husband did for a living. That is funny!! It's sad to see the elderly decline mentally like some do, but honestly, sometimes all you can do is laugh. Your story made me laugh. Gretchen

Comment from Brenda Strauser

Excellent

I loved this poem. It was so funny. I like the way you described the characters in the nursing home. This poem is written well. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2024

I appreciate your kind review, thank you very much. I sincerely hope I never have to experience spending time in a facility like this. The kids tell me they'll take me in- I'm not sure that would be a lot better. I'd prefer to die first.

Comment from Marilyn Hamilton

Excellent

An excellent entry for the Nursing Home Mayhem writing prompt. Goodness, this is my nightmare!! That I would end up like one of these poor people at the end of my life. It was heartbreaking and frightening. Good job on this one.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2024

It would be a nightmare indeed. I hope I die before I ever have to enter a nursing home. My kids say they'll take care of me, but after about a week, they might opt for this.

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

The descriptions of all of your characters made them sound like people we might know. It was easy to envision their actions. Working in a nursing facility in any capacity is difficult work. Some seniors are mean or conniving. Your story painted a humorous, but realistic picture. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2024

I guess some people have had years to hone their attitudes. I know that people with dementia sometimes get mean spirited at the end of the day, something called Sundowner's Syndrome.

Comment from June Sargent

Excellent

Oh, I needed a good laugh this morning and I certainly got one from this hilarious account of full moon madness at the Morning Glory home! I'm sure you've heard your share of funny and/or scary stories from your daughter. I think I would rather die as well...

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2024

I can't think of too many things worse than losing the ability to have some sense of control over your life, and ending up in a facility like this. It would be even worse if you had maintained your sanity and were surrounded by nut cases.

Comment from gansach

Excellent

This is a great entry for the Nursing Home Mayhem writing prompt competition and it is isn't so outlandish that it's unbelievable which adds to its enjoyment. Having worked in a hospital for many years, I have experienced true full moon madness and it can be quite a crazy time. Nice work~one spelling note: buldging=bulging.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2024

I bet you saw your share of wild and unpredictable behavior. Nothing like being in a place where you have so little control of your life to push someone over the edge. Thanks for catching the error.

Comment from Robert Zimmerman

Excellent

Your descriptive narrative of some of the characters as well as the circumstances in the home are humorous, yet realistic. I enjoyed reading your description of all that was going on the night of the full moon. I wish you well in the contest.
Suggestion: I believe you have a typo with the word "weilding." I believe it should be "wielding."

Robert

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2024

Thanks for pointing out that spelling error. I don't know why spell check didn't get it. I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

reply by Robert Zimmerman on 25-Oct-2024

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

It sounds like there is never a dull moment in this nursing home as the occupants are a lively bunch and some personalities never mellow with age, they just become more obnoxious. I enjoyed your story and I was entertained, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2024

I hope I never have to find out what life is like in a nursing facility first hand. I would much prefer to just die first. Thank you for taking the time to read and review this.