Volunteers Needed
A reluctant parent volunteers on a field trip.30 total reviews
Comment from Ulla
Hi Beth, it did bring a smile on my face. I have to say you were very brave and being seven months pregnant at that. I loved it.
I just found one thing: "Who else is else in the van?" Drop the second 'else'.
I really enjoyed this. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Hi Beth, it did bring a smile on my face. I have to say you were very brave and being seven months pregnant at that. I loved it.
I just found one thing: "Who else is else in the van?" Drop the second 'else'.
I really enjoyed this. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Thank you Ulla. I'm glad you saw the humor I tried to put into it. I appreciate you pointing out the extra else.
Beth
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
What a nightmare! That time when you were seven months pregnant, whoever asked you was not very considerate. I wonder if she'd had children? You could have said 'No!! Not on you life!' and no one could reasonably object. They obviously knew you'd not refuse. You're too easy, Beth!! I'm glad you got home from your wonderful trips, safe and sound! Lol. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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What a nightmare! That time when you were seven months pregnant, whoever asked you was not very considerate. I wonder if she'd had children? You could have said 'No!! Not on you life!' and no one could reasonably object. They obviously knew you'd not refuse. You're too easy, Beth!! I'm glad you got home from your wonderful trips, safe and sound! Lol. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Actually it was our minister who insisted I go. His own wife was pregnant too, and he didn't let her off the hook either. He took his camper and said we didn't have to sleep on the ground. How considerate. LOL Thanks for the review and comments.
Beth
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He sounds like a nice Minister!! Goodness me! LOL!
Comment from Ric Myworld
All of us who have had children and were roped into playing shuttle more times that any of us can count, can tell our own sets of stories, and some nightmares. But not many will be anymore entertaining than yours. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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All of us who have had children and were roped into playing shuttle more times that any of us can count, can tell our own sets of stories, and some nightmares. But not many will be anymore entertaining than yours. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Thank you for finding some laughs and entertainment in my story. I guess that is part of the price we pay for bringing children into the world.
Beth
Comment from Sally Carter
What a great story, and what a valuable asset you must have been in the volunteer stakes. Sounds like you were a Mom who could never say no! I really enjoyed your account, and just spotted the odd nit you might want to have a look at.
In para 2 I think it hsould be nature "enthusiast".
In para 3 I think you could do with a comma after "ahead of me"
In the para beginning "When I think..." I think it should be "me and the kids". If you turned the sentence round the other way, the sentence would read "The van carried me and the kids..."
A really interesting tale, and glad you got out of the driving. Best wishes. Sally
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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What a great story, and what a valuable asset you must have been in the volunteer stakes. Sounds like you were a Mom who could never say no! I really enjoyed your account, and just spotted the odd nit you might want to have a look at.
In para 2 I think it hsould be nature "enthusiast".
In para 3 I think you could do with a comma after "ahead of me"
In the para beginning "When I think..." I think it should be "me and the kids". If you turned the sentence round the other way, the sentence would read "The van carried me and the kids..."
A really interesting tale, and glad you got out of the driving. Best wishes. Sally
Comment Written 19-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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Thank you so much for the review. I have learned rather late in life how to say "No" I really appreciate you pointing our those nits. I have fixed them. I think you deserve a nomination for excellent reviewer.
Beth
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Beth - thank you so much for the reviewing vote. They were only tiny things and really did not distract from the read. I am so pleased you were glad to have them mentioned - not everyone does! Like you, I am always happy for people to point out things I might have missed. Thank you again. Kind regards. Sally
Comment from AlvinTEthington
You need to learn to say "no"! This is a darkly amusing story.
I had a similiar experience--I was driving on my way from college in Ohio to an interiew for divinity shool at Duke and took the wrongly named two lane road called The West Virginia Turnpike. It was the last week in October and the leaves were beautiful. I became so engrossed in the scenery that I was driving above the speed limit without even knowing it (I have a lead foot.) A cop in southern West Virginia caught me. He was an imposing figure, who had eaten too many chitlings and even had reflector sunglasses. I know the fear you had because I had that same fear when I was stopped by a cop in the rural South (and my family is Southern, too!) Luckily we both got off easily. If you can cause that kind of memory to come to the fore in a reader, you have done well as a writer.
However, you describe how those of us who are polite are often intimidated by authority figures into doing something that is not good for us (like going camping when pregnant.) It can cause amusing incidents in our lives, but I don't want an interesting life.
The story is well-written, flows well, and the description are quite good.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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You need to learn to say "no"! This is a darkly amusing story.
I had a similiar experience--I was driving on my way from college in Ohio to an interiew for divinity shool at Duke and took the wrongly named two lane road called The West Virginia Turnpike. It was the last week in October and the leaves were beautiful. I became so engrossed in the scenery that I was driving above the speed limit without even knowing it (I have a lead foot.) A cop in southern West Virginia caught me. He was an imposing figure, who had eaten too many chitlings and even had reflector sunglasses. I know the fear you had because I had that same fear when I was stopped by a cop in the rural South (and my family is Southern, too!) Luckily we both got off easily. If you can cause that kind of memory to come to the fore in a reader, you have done well as a writer.
However, you describe how those of us who are polite are often intimidated by authority figures into doing something that is not good for us (like going camping when pregnant.) It can cause amusing incidents in our lives, but I don't want an interesting life.
The story is well-written, flows well, and the description are quite good.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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Alvin, THank you for the review and comments. I liked your amusing story as well. Those Southern cops can be rather intimidating particularly when you see yourself reflected in their sunglasses. As I've grown older, I have less trouble saying "No!"
Beth
Comment from Kingsland
I sure enjoy reading about your exploits. You never fail to write your tales with great interest. I liked the bits of humor in this one. I found this to be well written and very entertaining. It was just a joy to have read and written a review for... John
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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I sure enjoy reading about your exploits. You never fail to write your tales with great interest. I liked the bits of humor in this one. I found this to be well written and very entertaining. It was just a joy to have read and written a review for... John
Comment Written 19-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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John, THank you for the review and the nice comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Beth
Comment from Patrick G Cox
Guardian angel obviously working overtime on that trip. Well writtenand I thik every parent has at least some part of this to identify with. Three children and a large car always seemed to make you a target...
Patrick
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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Guardian angel obviously working overtime on that trip. Well writtenand I thik every parent has at least some part of this to identify with. Three children and a large car always seemed to make you a target...
Patrick
Comment Written 19-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2009
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Thanks for the review and the comments. The large vehicle will do it every time.
Beth
Comment from phaedra
A very wise women once told me "There are a lot of things
you will do for love that you would not do for money."
Think this was one of the times. Oh my seven months pregnant.
Phaedra
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2009
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A very wise women once told me "There are a lot of things
you will do for love that you would not do for money."
Think this was one of the times. Oh my seven months pregnant.
Phaedra
Comment Written 17-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2009
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Thank you for the review and the comments.
Beth
Comment from Cora
You certainly identify a lot of reasons for fortifying oneself against volunteering!
The strongest area of your essay is the interchange with the policeman. The dialogue is alive, fun, real. I wish there were a way to get some of that liveliness in earlier . . .
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2009
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You certainly identify a lot of reasons for fortifying oneself against volunteering!
The strongest area of your essay is the interchange with the policeman. The dialogue is alive, fun, real. I wish there were a way to get some of that liveliness in earlier . . .
Comment Written 08-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2009
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Cora, Thanks for reading.
Comment from Summer Falls
Hello there, and welcome to fanstory! I enjoyed this essay and can relate very well to it. I am a mom of five, so that goes without saying.
This flowed well and was well edited. I read your profile and you stated that you would like to become a better writer. Wow, I think you have done a good job of getting there already. :) I have learned a lot from the other writers on this site and hope you have a good experience as well.
Many times, I have camped in Tennessee as a kid, and my dad and sister still live there. (I noticed you lived there by your bio.)
The honesty and humor in your essay was very refreshing. I am sure many moms can relate to the subject.
Summer
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2009
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Hello there, and welcome to fanstory! I enjoyed this essay and can relate very well to it. I am a mom of five, so that goes without saying.
This flowed well and was well edited. I read your profile and you stated that you would like to become a better writer. Wow, I think you have done a good job of getting there already. :) I have learned a lot from the other writers on this site and hope you have a good experience as well.
Many times, I have camped in Tennessee as a kid, and my dad and sister still live there. (I noticed you lived there by your bio.)
The honesty and humor in your essay was very refreshing. I am sure many moms can relate to the subject.
Summer
Comment Written 08-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2009
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Thank you for reading and for you encouraging words. I do appreciate your revies. I live in Ooltewah, just outside of Chattanooga.
Beth
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You are welcome!
I am sure you have heard of Bristol? LOL, used to be a tiny unknown city. Now that the speedway has been built there, it is on the map. :)
