More Grist to the Mill
Viewing comments for Chapter 25 "End of an Era - 1933"Book 2 of the Cleeborough Mill Trilogy
32 total reviews
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
Beautifully written chapter, and now I see the magnitude and implications of the mill's demise, as discovered by Jack and Tom in the previous chapter. I didn't realize that milling at that location went back for almost a millenium -- that's very powerful.
Here are two little spags:
It would last forever'
-->
It would last forever.'
He'd even thought as that could possibly have been an accident.
-->
He'd even thought as that could possibly have been an accident.'
***
Tom is wise to know when to close shop on the enterprise, but it does leave an open question about what to do for Jack's future employment.
I don't know how I missed this chapter at the end of last week! Even though it's no longer promoted, I wanted to continue following it, and reviewed it, as long as I'm here reading it.
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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Beautifully written chapter, and now I see the magnitude and implications of the mill's demise, as discovered by Jack and Tom in the previous chapter. I didn't realize that milling at that location went back for almost a millenium -- that's very powerful.
Here are two little spags:
It would last forever'
-->
It would last forever.'
He'd even thought as that could possibly have been an accident.
-->
He'd even thought as that could possibly have been an accident.'
***
Tom is wise to know when to close shop on the enterprise, but it does leave an open question about what to do for Jack's future employment.
I don't know how I missed this chapter at the end of last week! Even though it's no longer promoted, I wanted to continue following it, and reviewed it, as long as I'm here reading it.
Comment Written 21-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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Thank you so much for catching this one even though it was no longer paying out. I am most grateful. The spags have been fixed. Thank you for noticing them.
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You're very welcome, Jim. I just finished reviewing the next chapter. I've really been enjoying your book!
Blessings, Mary Kay
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Jack seemed to have it all worked out on how to fix the shaft. Tommy's reminiscences were well told Jim, I could feel his emotions.
A good parental question to finish this chapter on, that question has travelled through the ages, and still applies today. Really enjoyed this chapter, well told
cheers.
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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Jack seemed to have it all worked out on how to fix the shaft. Tommy's reminiscences were well told Jim, I could feel his emotions.
A good parental question to finish this chapter on, that question has travelled through the ages, and still applies today. Really enjoyed this chapter, well told
cheers.
Comment Written 21-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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Thank you so much for this complimentary, six-star review.
Comment from Sugarray77
Another very good read with emotional tugs, a reassessing of priorities and the eternal concern parents have for their children. I enjoyed this one too, Jim. Thanks for a good read.
Melissa
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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Another very good read with emotional tugs, a reassessing of priorities and the eternal concern parents have for their children. I enjoyed this one too, Jim. Thanks for a good read.
Melissa
Comment Written 21-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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'A good read!' Words every author wants to hear so, many thanks for them here.
Comment from roof35
What to do for the kids? I think all parents wonder that as some point. Of course, often the kids have their own ideas. Probably future chapters will show us just what Julia and Jack have in mind. Perfectly written as always.
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2021
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What to do for the kids? I think all parents wonder that as some point. Of course, often the kids have their own ideas. Probably future chapters will show us just what Julia and Jack have in mind. Perfectly written as always.
Comment Written 20-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2021
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Thank you so much for this six star review. I have always thought that ordinary people in the grip of extraordinary events make for better stories than tales of extraordinary people. I am really pleased you noticed this.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A good image to show how
a tractor looked back then; it
makes it easier to visualize in the story.
-Good description of the mill and
the problems, along with Jack's
enthusiasm for figuring how to fix it.
-He has a good mind, and I wonder what
these times will bring for him.
-It is a sad thing for Tommy, too, since
this had been his livelihood at a young age.
-We haven't seen too much of Julia, but
she seems like a hard worker and loves
what she does, helping with the cattle.
-The ending shows how Heather and Tommy
will now deal with what comes next.
-Well done.
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2021
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-A good image to show how
a tractor looked back then; it
makes it easier to visualize in the story.
-Good description of the mill and
the problems, along with Jack's
enthusiasm for figuring how to fix it.
-He has a good mind, and I wonder what
these times will bring for him.
-It is a sad thing for Tommy, too, since
this had been his livelihood at a young age.
-We haven't seen too much of Julia, but
she seems like a hard worker and loves
what she does, helping with the cattle.
-The ending shows how Heather and Tommy
will now deal with what comes next.
-Well done.
Comment Written 20-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2021
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Thank you for this sympathetic, six star review. It must have been very difficult for people like these, brought up in the horse and cart era to get used to the era of the internal combustion engine and aeroplanes.
There have been some massive changes in my lifetime to but, born in 1941 I was part of an ever changing world. Folk like Tommy were born into a world that had changed little in a thousand years.
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You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review. I imagine it was very difficult back then. It is interesting how Jack is so into everything, but Tommy didn't have schooling or parental support, but he has done well for himself, and has a wonderful family.
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It is how the cookie crumbles and the mop flops. And there be bugger all as you can do aboutbit as Tommy might say.
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I've heard the cookie crumble, but not the mop flop! It occurred to me, are you represented by one of these characters?
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Enjoyed this chapter and feel as if Tommy and Heather are becoming part of my family. I can certainly see why Tommy is worried about Jack's future, but he has no idea how times are changing and what's coming for his son.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Enjoyed this chapter and feel as if Tommy and Heather are becoming part of my family. I can certainly see why Tommy is worried about Jack's future, but he has no idea how times are changing and what's coming for his son.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Many thanks for reading and reviewing. Glad you are feeling part of the family.
Comment from Sanku
Bugger me Jack why you be always in a hurry?---This is a true portrayal of that generation .It was a time when people could breathe and think and then take a decision.Jack ,typical teenager he is all enthusiasm and his mind id racing ahead
I liked the way you structured the chapter .how Tommy walked back ,stopped and looked back on yesteryears, encountered kingfisher ,ducks ,his daughter, and his mechanic son who conveniently left the unloading...
Finally the parent worrying about the future of the children...
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Bugger me Jack why you be always in a hurry?---This is a true portrayal of that generation .It was a time when people could breathe and think and then take a decision.Jack ,typical teenager he is all enthusiasm and his mind id racing ahead
I liked the way you structured the chapter .how Tommy walked back ,stopped and looked back on yesteryears, encountered kingfisher ,ducks ,his daughter, and his mechanic son who conveniently left the unloading...
Finally the parent worrying about the future of the children...
Comment Written 19-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Thank you so much for this so thorough, six-star review. You have picked up on all the main ingredients of this chapter. Thank you so much for that.
Comment from robyn corum
Jim,
This was another mean, horrible post. The pace was slow, tentative and extremely thoughtful, giving the reader a lot of time for thinking, running ahead, worrying. Every step the men took I just KNEW was headed for a minefield. I kept waiting for the blast signaling disaster. No worries though, in spite of you and your evil writing I got everybody through. Whew. It was tough work though!
Notes:
1.) Into it, back then, his first love had willingly stepped, rather than face a future for which
--> she had PLANNED to willingly step
--> it seems she had CONSIDERED a willing step
--> he does not not know either way and if he thought he did he really could not say it like this, jumping from his POV to hers (I mean he cannot know exactly what was in her mind at those moments)
2.) He'd even thought as that could possibly have been an accident.(')
3.) He turned away finally, and when he gained the further bank
--> generally, the rule is to use 'farther' for distances
Except for the aforementioned, this was nice and enjoyable. If you will excuse me, I have to find a cold rag. Thanks!
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Jim,
This was another mean, horrible post. The pace was slow, tentative and extremely thoughtful, giving the reader a lot of time for thinking, running ahead, worrying. Every step the men took I just KNEW was headed for a minefield. I kept waiting for the blast signaling disaster. No worries though, in spite of you and your evil writing I got everybody through. Whew. It was tough work though!
Notes:
1.) Into it, back then, his first love had willingly stepped, rather than face a future for which
--> she had PLANNED to willingly step
--> it seems she had CONSIDERED a willing step
--> he does not not know either way and if he thought he did he really could not say it like this, jumping from his POV to hers (I mean he cannot know exactly what was in her mind at those moments)
2.) He'd even thought as that could possibly have been an accident.(')
3.) He turned away finally, and when he gained the further bank
--> generally, the rule is to use 'farther' for distances
Except for the aforementioned, this was nice and enjoyable. If you will excuse me, I have to find a cold rag. Thanks!
Comment Written 19-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Thank you for this bitter and twisted review. I concur with all the specific points you mention in the second part, which was very helpful and which I may be addressing later today, a day that promises to be highly disruptive as I am being visited byca team of carpet cleaners hired by the film crew who trod mud all over the house last week.
The first part, the bitter and twisted part demonstrated your evil sense of humour to be on a par with my own. Do you really want frenetic pace throughout? We are entering a quieter phase but one that will not be without its problems as the kids grow up and war looms ahead.
Life is an up and down existence as the elevator operator said.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Jim, this is a fine chapter but like Jack I have difficulty seeing it all being abandoned. At least not at this stage. Of course change is in the air, and you've balanced that quite well in the chapter.
And with the state the business be in these days, well it wunna be worth it. =I think there should be a comma after 'well'.
All best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2021
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Hi Jim, this is a fine chapter but like Jack I have difficulty seeing it all being abandoned. At least not at this stage. Of course change is in the air, and you've balanced that quite well in the chapter.
And with the state the business be in these days, well it wunna be worth it. =I think there should be a comma after 'well'.
All best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 18-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2021
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Thank you so much for this encouraging review. You are probably right about that comma. The thirties were a worrying time in both our countries with the whole world in deep recession.
Comment from Cindy Decker 2
Dear writer,
I must confess I am finding your story in the middle, but I really like what I read. I didn't look up this town yet, but the vernacular sounds more welsh than British.
You tell an earthy tale very well. Your description and dialogue are very good. I felt for Hettie who thought she had no more living to do.
Good luck in the voting, Pantygynt.
Blessings,
Cindy
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2021
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Dear writer,
I must confess I am finding your story in the middle, but I really like what I read. I didn't look up this town yet, but the vernacular sounds more welsh than British.
You tell an earthy tale very well. Your description and dialogue are very good. I felt for Hettie who thought she had no more living to do.
Good luck in the voting, Pantygynt.
Blessings,
Cindy
Comment Written 18-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2021
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Thank you for stumbling upon my work and enjoying it. The trilogy is set in England in the county of Shropshire, which is on the English side of the border with Wales. Having found us, I hope you will stay for the rest of the ride.