An Invitation to Dinner, RSVP
Dinner Party Vignettes35 total reviews
Comment from Susan Newell
Terry,
What a beautiful collection of memories, perfectly written. It brought memories back for me, too, of those elaborate dinner parties, though mine were generally smaller. I'm afraid young people don't appreciate fine linens, crystal, china and silver, and it's rare around here to find a restaurant that bothers with anything other than stainless and paper napkins. But you do feel elevated when you sit down at such a table and it is a way for a hostess to let her guests know they are important.
This is just a terrific story, and that little advice at the bottom should apply to all people.
Sue
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Terry,
What a beautiful collection of memories, perfectly written. It brought memories back for me, too, of those elaborate dinner parties, though mine were generally smaller. I'm afraid young people don't appreciate fine linens, crystal, china and silver, and it's rare around here to find a restaurant that bothers with anything other than stainless and paper napkins. But you do feel elevated when you sit down at such a table and it is a way for a hostess to let her guests know they are important.
This is just a terrific story, and that little advice at the bottom should apply to all people.
Sue
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Sue, thank you for the six stars!!! Zoe's background was looking in the window at how others lived, and when she had the chance later in life to live a better life, she wanted to put show folks exactly what you expressed. Thank you, Terry.
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You earned the six, Terry. You have really come into your own as a writer.
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You are very kind, Thank you, Terry.
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Not just kind, objectively honest. :-)
Comment from Annmuma
Walks down memory lane are always pleasure and your ability to share that pleasure with your readers is exceptional. The characters are well defined; the scenes are concise and clear. The reader is allowed to hear the voices, see the tables and enjoy the conversations. I enjoyed. ann
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Walks down memory lane are always pleasure and your ability to share that pleasure with your readers is exceptional. The characters are well defined; the scenes are concise and clear. The reader is allowed to hear the voices, see the tables and enjoy the conversations. I enjoyed. ann
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Ann, thank you very much, and I do love the six stars!!! I was just checking the voting; turn out the lights, I think that one is in your bag! Well done. Terry
Comment from Sarah Robin
I enjoyed Invitation to Dinner. Not only is it a tribute to your late wife, but your own character shows through. You have some wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing them with us. Sarah
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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I enjoyed Invitation to Dinner. Not only is it a tribute to your late wife, but your own character shows through. You have some wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing them with us. Sarah
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Sarah, thank you for the six stars!!! I appreciate you kind words and review, Terry.
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Terry,
Nice piece of Biographical Non-Fiction having natural plus captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end, and keeping the whole atmosphere lively whether it's your old house or new house or fishing trip or any dinner party, and of course! ZOE AND TERRY'S TWENTY-FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Party.
The old doctor's words of wisdom are particularly noteworthy.
Interesting!
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Hello Terry,
Nice piece of Biographical Non-Fiction having natural plus captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end, and keeping the whole atmosphere lively whether it's your old house or new house or fishing trip or any dinner party, and of course! ZOE AND TERRY'S TWENTY-FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Party.
The old doctor's words of wisdom are particularly noteworthy.
Interesting!
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the review and reading. I am delighted you enjoyed the story. Terry
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Terry, Most Welcome!
With best wishes,
~ RP
Comment from TheWriteTeach
Your memoir was nice. It recounted good times with your wife and friends. When it comes right down to it, that's all that counts. Enjoy your life and spend time with those you love. Don't put it off until another day.
I noticed a few things I wanted to mention to you.
* I understand the first part of this sentence, but the last part has me stumped. It seems as though part of it is missing. Perhaps I'm just looking at it wrong. "Cooking for her started early and ended late, an event, a process, a time to shine, and a party. "
* You wrote: Zoe would say, "I love this kitchen!" I would say (as quietly as possible), "Gives you more room to make a mess!" Only one speaker's dialogue should be in one paragraph. When two or more people are talking, a new paragraph needs to be started every time the speaker changes.
*The word 'Chum' was used seven times in five sentences. You wrote: 'Captian Bryan's method of fishing used chum. Chum is cut-up fish parts thrown in the water to attract fish, and our lures are dragged through the chum. Chum smells awful. When Bryan's deck hand began throwing the chum over the boat, the rocking of the boat and the waffling smells of chum reached Zoe and Jaynne. Quickly they leaned over the back of the boat and added their chum!' Repetition of the same word/phrase in close proximity is not strong writing and will bore the reader. Try replacing a couple of 'chum' with just the word 'it' and see what a difference it makes. Doing this will make your writing stronger.
I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing it with everyone.
TheWriteTeach
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
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Your memoir was nice. It recounted good times with your wife and friends. When it comes right down to it, that's all that counts. Enjoy your life and spend time with those you love. Don't put it off until another day.
I noticed a few things I wanted to mention to you.
* I understand the first part of this sentence, but the last part has me stumped. It seems as though part of it is missing. Perhaps I'm just looking at it wrong. "Cooking for her started early and ended late, an event, a process, a time to shine, and a party. "
* You wrote: Zoe would say, "I love this kitchen!" I would say (as quietly as possible), "Gives you more room to make a mess!" Only one speaker's dialogue should be in one paragraph. When two or more people are talking, a new paragraph needs to be started every time the speaker changes.
*The word 'Chum' was used seven times in five sentences. You wrote: 'Captian Bryan's method of fishing used chum. Chum is cut-up fish parts thrown in the water to attract fish, and our lures are dragged through the chum. Chum smells awful. When Bryan's deck hand began throwing the chum over the boat, the rocking of the boat and the waffling smells of chum reached Zoe and Jaynne. Quickly they leaned over the back of the boat and added their chum!' Repetition of the same word/phrase in close proximity is not strong writing and will bore the reader. Try replacing a couple of 'chum' with just the word 'it' and see what a difference it makes. Doing this will make your writing stronger.
I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing it with everyone.
TheWriteTeach
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
Comment from Wendy G
You write in an easy conversational style, which still allows the reader to deduce (e.g. who cleans up after the dinner parties) the details. I can imagine (too vividly) that successful fishing trip. Lol. Plenty of good memories here. Well written.
Wendy
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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You write in an easy conversational style, which still allows the reader to deduce (e.g. who cleans up after the dinner parties) the details. I can imagine (too vividly) that successful fishing trip. Lol. Plenty of good memories here. Well written.
Wendy
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Wendy, thank you for reading and reviewing. I don't think I had to get specific about the fishing...LOL. Terry.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
You never did say who cleaned up after the parties, but I suspect it was you. The old doctor had some great advice for doctors, that would be useful for others in successful professions. That sounds like a really great dinner party for your anniversary. I hope Zoe didn't cook all that food herself. If she did, she was incredible.
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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You never did say who cleaned up after the parties, but I suspect it was you. The old doctor had some great advice for doctors, that would be useful for others in successful professions. That sounds like a really great dinner party for your anniversary. I hope Zoe didn't cook all that food herself. If she did, she was incredible.
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Carol, thank you very much for reading. She did like to be the primary cook. When someone said, "What can I bring?" Her response was, "What would like to bring?" And she would plan accordingly.
I was the chief bottle washer and cleaner. Terry.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
I found your writing delightful, honest and enchanting. I never had large dinner parties, but in my early years of marriage like Zoe, I wanted tablecloths, cloth napkins and candles. I went so far as lace curtains. For me, it was that I finally made it. Now days, it is paper towels rather than napkins!
In reading this Zoe truly was special. You and her story deserve six stars.
Best wishes
Mary
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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I found your writing delightful, honest and enchanting. I never had large dinner parties, but in my early years of marriage like Zoe, I wanted tablecloths, cloth napkins and candles. I went so far as lace curtains. For me, it was that I finally made it. Now days, it is paper towels rather than napkins!
In reading this Zoe truly was special. You and her story deserve six stars.
Best wishes
Mary
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Mary, thank you for the six stars!!! You are very kind. Without Zoe here to supervise me, I too have paper stuff, LOL. Terry.
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
A good write and read per usual. Do you really have dinner parties like in this story? If so, they are fabulous. Sorry you get trapped into doing the clean-up, but with meals like Zoe prepares I wouldn't care. I don't understand the ending. Is it because of Covid?
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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A good write and read per usual. Do you really have dinner parties like in this story? If so, they are fabulous. Sorry you get trapped into doing the clean-up, but with meals like Zoe prepares I wouldn't care. I don't understand the ending. Is it because of Covid?
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Sandra, thank you for reading, yes, the parties were all true. Zoe died of heart attack on Nov. 1, 2018. Terry.
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I'm so sorry to hear that. Hopefully, the beautiful moments you shared will act as a balm for those moments you miss her.
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Thank you. By the way, I will have your preliminary questions to you later today or tomorrow. Terry.
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No rush. I have a lot of different projects I am completing. Why is your story not in the Sperm Donor contest?
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I took it out. I had written a short story, and after posting it. Susan Newell figured out I wrote it and suggested it needed to be longer and maybe a serial.
I ask Tom to pull it so I could do a longer piece. I am still rewriting it and thinking about what I want to do with it. Terry.
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I see. You would have won.
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for sharing these amazing memories of Zoe's cooking, and fabulous parties. I can't imagine being that sick and on a fishing venture but I'm glad you got plenty of fish!
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Thank you for sharing these amazing memories of Zoe's cooking, and fabulous parties. I can't imagine being that sick and on a fishing venture but I'm glad you got plenty of fish!
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Helen, thank you for reading, a lot of folks will get seasick on an ocean fishing trip in a relatively small boat. Add to that too much wine and food the night before...here come the chum! Terry.