tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post8455425497808240810..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Weekend Sketchmaterfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-15133928636321177312013-05-08T10:20:23.124-07:002013-05-08T10:20:23.124-07:00Thanks V -- and I'm so pleased that you would ...Thanks V -- and I'm so pleased that you would take time to comment and that you find something here that pleases and/or interests you. And yes, don't we live in a wonderful spot! (and I completely understand about the anonymous posting, but appreciate your initial added as an identifier)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-12118264304797015672013-05-08T07:07:51.767-07:002013-05-08T07:07:51.767-07:00I am so disgusted that anyone would post negative,...I am so disgusted that anyone would post negative, hurtful stuff on a a blog such as yours which is so lovely and truly a celebration of life. I have found your blog only recently and enjoy it enormously. Life is short and being happy is a choice we make every single day; how is it that any sentient being would waste his/her time in hateful behaviour. (Perhaps these are not sentient beings after all.) I am a woman like you, similar in age and living on the south tip of Vancouver Island. Yesterday my husband and I went to Vancouver via ferry to visit family. It was a glorious day of warm sunshine and calm waters; we truly do live in the most beautiful place on earth. I would like to send my encouragement to not give up. There are many like us out here. I will visit your blog regularly and with appreciation. If I use the anonymous ID, it is because I do not have the accts set up for other choices. Cheers, V.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-73005321476793400022013-05-07T14:18:39.463-07:002013-05-07T14:18:39.463-07:00Ah. . . . I understand that ambivalence although m...Ah. . . . I understand that ambivalence although my mother's emotional palette was perhaps smaller in range. Take care.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-69537100494319948172013-05-07T13:57:20.669-07:002013-05-07T13:57:20.669-07:00It is big work. My mother had some mental health ...It is big work. My mother had some mental health issues that meant that I never quite knew who would be present. Her rages were quite terrifying, but she could also be the kindest person. After she died it was sometimes hard to accept condolences because I felt both relief and terrible sorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-11810025143713621352013-05-07T10:16:06.735-07:002013-05-07T10:16:06.735-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-6071430189509349262013-05-07T09:08:58.472-07:002013-05-07T09:08:58.472-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-32056527145564494512013-05-07T01:26:12.905-07:002013-05-07T01:26:12.905-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-4717358887125258062013-05-06T16:58:38.373-07:002013-05-06T16:58:38.373-07:00I went back to see what the anonymous commenter sa...I went back to see what the anonymous commenter said (and thought about our conversation about it all on Saturday), and I have to say more than ever that I disagree with what s/h/ze noted. You rarely seem dissatisfied to me. Maybe it's because I, too, understand the draining effect that all that marking can have, though. I think you handle it and your students and the demands of of life with tremendous grace and flair. <br /><br />Thanks for the lovely shout out here. It was wonderful meeting you and P in person!Raquelitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13138113830990586689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-55691340500989218032013-05-06T16:54:37.151-07:002013-05-06T16:54:37.151-07:00Thanks, Lynn -- and no problem with the anonymous ...Thanks, Lynn -- and no problem with the anonymous commenting, especially when you sign your name. Your wisdom and experience echoes Hester's (in last post's thread) and is much appreciated.<br />I would like to extend your wise dictum to the anonymous commenter at my last post, not wishing to dismiss anyone's ideas. And we don't all easily have the ability to articulate our concerns or brush past our envy so easily. Sometimes I think blogging makes it tough, bringing so many varied lifestyles into our homes, making us party to conversations that stir up a chaos of responses.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your sympathy on the loss of my mother. I'm not sure I'll ever completely sort the ambivalence I have about her. . . it's a big work, isn't it?!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-9254643717981079192013-05-06T16:49:21.437-07:002013-05-06T16:49:21.437-07:00There are elements in both our lives that are envi...There are elements in both our lives that are enviable, as in many of our readers'. Frankly, it came as a surprise to me to see myself as enviable . . . and then a big Doh! and forehead smack and I've got it now. <br />In 6 years (?) blogging, this is my first really negative comment, so it takes a bit to get my head around it and find a comfort level with the reality. Getting ready to move on, and your pragmatism helps. As does your boo-ing support! ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-72746624851145018762013-05-06T16:44:31.491-07:002013-05-06T16:44:31.491-07:00I try to emulate your response to envy -- as Duche...I try to emulate your response to envy -- as Duchesse and I say above, we feel it regularly, but then I try to find a way to make it productive rather than negative.<br />I suspect that there are elements of your life that are also enviable -- this blog has been instrumental in helping me see the wealth in mine. Even when Pater was away through the week, I came to see that the loneliness some saw in my weekdays was a solitude I could treasure. . . I hope readers realize that they only get a partial view here, though, and there are downsides as well. materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-64832077169951396412013-05-06T16:40:10.351-07:002013-05-06T16:40:10.351-07:00Yes, and aren't they so delightful clutched in...Yes, and aren't they so delightful clutched in little hands? I think especially of those chubby little one-year old starfish hands. <br />So far, I've done my sketching in a book. . . my skills are obviously limited, but I find the process so pleasing.<br />And yes, re the penny phrases. . . "penny for your thoughts" is another one, 'though I suppose it hasn't been much used lately anyway. You remind me that I must get our huge penny stash turned over to a neighbour who's collecting them for charity.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-16402335408148003442013-05-06T16:37:58.296-07:002013-05-06T16:37:58.296-07:00I'm leery of being too reactive to that commen...I'm leery of being too reactive to that comment as it's uncomfortable to feel negativity directed from a dark corner. But I am not leery of admitting envy -- feel it regularly! And I do try to keep myself honest about it because it's easy to skew off in the wrong direction at envy's behest. . . Dangerous. . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-83382864885990848122013-05-06T16:34:08.163-07:002013-05-06T16:34:08.163-07:00I'm sympathetic to the anonymous commenters --...I'm sympathetic to the anonymous commenters -- often I suspect it's less an unwillingness to give a name than it is to get hooked into a system (Blogger, Google, whatever) whose commitments we don't fully understand. . . I really appreciate it, though, when you leave your name within the anonymous comment, mainly because it's such a pleasure getting to know you that way. Thanks for taking the time to comment today -- it means a lot!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-64727455257974057182013-05-06T16:32:28.480-07:002013-05-06T16:32:28.480-07:00I look forward to experiencing the same with you o...I look forward to experiencing the same with you one of these days. . . Perhaps later this summer, although I imagine you'll be grandbaby-busy!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-24964271015934123522013-05-06T16:31:52.320-07:002013-05-06T16:31:52.320-07:00I know you would have loved it, but then again, yo...I know you would have loved it, but then again, you're loving what you're doing right now!<br />The line-up for next year's VOA season looks good! I wonder if we'll see each other at the QE. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-41425038603549771122013-05-06T16:16:06.374-07:002013-05-06T16:16:06.374-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-63850463464995540472013-05-06T13:59:54.531-07:002013-05-06T13:59:54.531-07:00I'm one of those nontechie people who can'...I'm one of those nontechie people who can't figure out how to respond any other way than anonymously (a lesson would be appreciated), but I will be happy to sign my name. I've worked in refugee camps and townships in South Africa as well as on fairly wealthy college campuses in the US and found that we all have our blessings and concerns. No one is more or less important, and no one who is expressing her ideas in a thoughtful manner should be dismissed. <br /><br />My sympathy on the death of your mother. Mine, who died 10 years ago, sounds as if she was very much like yours. It took me several years to fully process my feelings. <br />LynnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-85151996681688833452013-05-06T08:38:32.505-07:002013-05-06T08:38:32.505-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-64968688105453956342013-05-06T07:27:30.551-07:002013-05-06T07:27:30.551-07:00Boo to the haters! I have envied you too, but I kn...Boo to the haters! I have envied you too, but I know that every life comes with issues, and we all sit where we sit. I think part of blogging is moving through Haterland, from sorrow, to anger, to acceptance, to finally you delete 'em if you don't like 'em:).LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-91980139196887586552013-05-06T06:53:35.748-07:002013-05-06T06:53:35.748-07:00Isn't it funny how the daisies are picked for ...Isn't it funny how the daisies are picked for their flowers with little thoughts of grabbing the stems?<br />Thank you for posting the image of your Coalport vase. <br />Do you keep these sketches in a book or are they loose? They are charming by the way....<br /><br />I did go back to read the anonymous comment and I put my 2 cents in. I wonder if that phrase will disappear when the penny has been recalled :-))hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-44114217014758967042013-05-06T05:29:52.580-07:002013-05-06T05:29:52.580-07:00ma, had to go back and read that comment. I though...ma, had to go back and read that comment. I thought the last three sentences were most revealing and I'd guess there is a good measure of jealousy there. (And I too have envied a friend who leads a very luxurious life compared to mine. ) I don't think there's anything wrong admitting envy. (You know I'm envious re Nola!!!) I just wish it were not coated in self-righteous censure. This kind of person is called "concern troll".Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-21115072534197234522013-05-06T02:10:41.141-07:002013-05-06T02:10:41.141-07:00I'm sorry that a previous poster took advantag...I'm sorry that a previous poster took advantage of her/his anonymity to give you pain. I've always made anonymous comments myself (really because as a complete technophobe I haven't worked out how to do anything else!) but I do now sign them. Of course, those of us who live in developed, peaceful parts of the world are aware of our relative good fortune, but that doesn't mean we don't have our own difficulties and dilemmas, and it's precisely your honesty in detailing your experiences - good and bad, exceptional and mundane, sad and enviable - and your responses to them, that makes your blog such a pleasure to read. Please do keep writing, and don't let the begrudgers get you down!<br />RosemaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-58269707550422356542013-05-05T22:46:43.183-07:002013-05-05T22:46:43.183-07:00Meeting bloggers whose posts I've read for yea...Meeting bloggers whose posts I've read for years has been such a pleasure. Like you, I've found that it's been like getting together with an old friend - as though we're picking up from a visit last year or last month.Pondsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407539138546412482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-67693309907830557462013-05-05T22:36:37.017-07:002013-05-05T22:36:37.017-07:00I have hardly used any of my opera tickets this ye...I have hardly used any of my opera tickets this year but I would have liked to have seen Tea. I took a course in sketching before I left for Paris but I haven't done anything since I left. Your Coalport is pretty with your little flowers. Madame Là-bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16703782237948233124noreply@blogger.com