Reviews from

A hitchhiker's guide

Hitchhiking in the country

33 total reviews 
Comment from GregoryCody
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level



The possibility of snapping turtles did not bother me as much as the feeling of the slimy mud oozing between my toes.



I do not think he ever wore any other outfit than a worn straw cowboy hat, a once-white t-shirt, and coveralls.

AWESOME picture you have created. Love the details! You used the word "wore" then "worn" right after.

Maybe "I don't think he ever clothed himself in anything besides..."

That sort of thing. Or leave it as is. I just LOVE the imagery.

And here :

He had catcher's mitt size hands and his bear-sized frame covered the entire tractor seat.

This WORKS if you are playing on "sized". Should it be "mitt sized" btw? But Great descriptions Again!

And Sylvester is a good choice

Ooh and I love the call back in the close.

Really great story! I mean it was succinct and captured it all. Just Great.

Have you been writing a long time? I'm sure. I write stories here that I want to compile into a book (I compiled them Here in a book by I want to actually complete it and get it published one day). I'm always eager to learn from talented writers.

And hey you get my first 6 this week! ;)


 Comment Written 29-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 29-Aug-2021
    Thank you, Gregory, I truly appreciate it when someone takes a bird's eye view and offers suggestions to strengthen a story. The six-star rating is frosting on the cake and truly appreciated.
    I have been writing for only a year on FS after retiring.
    So I am still in the learning stage.
    Mary
reply by GregoryCody on 29-Aug-2021
    Oh good! We can learn Together! :)
Comment from pome lover
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Mary, this was fascinating, learning about your life, growing up. I tried to compare it to mine - so different, yet we did have the freedom to ride all over the outskirts of our town on bikes, and walk around the neighborhoods in our pjs at slumber parties - parents weren't aware of those, however. Whereas you had cousins, my cohorts were friends. Cousins lived in other towns and states. That was in Georgia. Now, in Texas, family consists of daughter and granddaughter, both in another city. I envy big families.
Thank you for your enjoyable read. What fun you all must have had - and probably still do.
Katharine

 Comment Written 28-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 28-Aug-2021
    Katherine, I truly appreciate your kind thoughts and review. The rating you gave my story truly made my day. As for my cousins family this is a light-hearted piece. 9 cousins only 3 left. The others sadly met tragic ends all from ages 17 to 50. Bert's death at 17 started the family on a downward spiral.
    Remembering the fun times keeps them alive.
    Mary
reply by pome lover on 28-Aug-2021
    Oh, I'm sorry, Mary. Good memories are a blessing, for sure.
Comment from Terry Overton
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is just terrific. I had to smile as the picture of what this all looked like was vividly clear. I could see the kids and the city woman and everything in the story. Loved it.

 Comment Written 03-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2021
    Thank you Terry for your kind thoughts. I am truly appreciative of your rating.
    Best regards
    Mary
Comment from Ronni
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi dear Mary,
My oh my this was a most fascinating hitch hikers story! So bemusedly
relayed in the sights and sounds of the times for farm kids and the
creative hitchhiker's code to catch rides! That was really ingenious,
and a truly fun and entertaining read! No doubt these are such
treasured memories and fun times to reflect upon, and so glad
you shared this one with us.
Best wishes always, Ronni



 Comment Written 03-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2021
    Ronni,
    I truly appreciate your kind words. Thank you for reading my posting and review,
    Best regards,
    Mary









Comment from Jay Squires
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I'm a sucker for country childhood memories, Mary. I thrive on swimming holes and country hospitality. When the story is presented by a consummate storyteller, I'm doubly enriched. I enjoyed the smooth way you provided backstory and character description as the story unfolded. If I were hard-pressed to offer a suggestion, it is to make sure you go back and edit in the spaces between paragraphs. It's a small matter, but it's been shown that readers like white space within the body of their content. Psycologically, it makes the reading appear to go faster.

In any event, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story, Mary!

 Comment Written 01-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021
    Thank you for your review and advice.
    It is appreciated.
    Regards,
    Mary
Comment from NANCY V. FORREST
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Reminded me of growing up in the country. Got the feel and the flavor just right. Good character description. I would have been happy to read more.

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021
    Thank you Nancy, I truly appreciate your review. Thank you for the six rating.
    Regards,
    Mary
Comment from Versch
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The memories of childhood is always fascinating to read, and slightly amusing, heightened by author's portrayal of the recurring events. It is the innocence of childhood, unblemished, and no sense of danger that creates the thrill. It is never forgotten as we aged.

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021
    Thank you, I truly appreciate your review.
    Regards,
    Mary
Comment from Janilou
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Absolutely delightful biographical story and I couldn't tell where you added the fiction! It was great and I enjoyed taking the trip down memory lane with you.
I found no errors here.
Well done.
Jan

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 31-Jul-2021
    Thank you Jan, I truly appreciate your review and kind comments.
    I am glad you enjoyed it.
    Regards,
    Mary
Comment from Rdfrdmom2
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Mary:

Snapping turtles are one thing - but no water mocassins? How lucky all of you were. How nice of your Uncle Lou to dig out your very own swimming hole for all of you.

Jan

 Comment Written 30-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 30-Jul-2021
    No snakes. This was upstate NY. Thank you for your review. It is appreciated.
    Regards
    Mary
Comment from nomi338
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Childhood memories that were not tinged with tragedy are the absolute best. Sadly some childhood memories were ruined because they were interrupted by some tragic occurrence. The ones however, that were just fun filled stay with us as long as our memory's do not fade into old age forgetfulness.

 Comment Written 30-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 30-Jul-2021
    Thank you for your review. It is much appreciated.
    Regards
    Mary