tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post7119056320951673478..comments2015-08-04T11:22:09.720-05:00Comments on Reading, Writing, and Rambling: Slow Down, You Move Too FastPat O'Dea Rosenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-48726935199775861852013-11-09T15:35:13.693-06:002013-11-09T15:35:13.693-06:00Hi, Alarna,
My mom's questions are prompted by...Hi, Alarna,<br />My mom's questions are prompted by genuine interest, and, yes, they seem effortless.<br /><br />If the person who questions me is older than, say, 75, my shields usually don't go up, but <br />I've been known to bristle when a supermarket check-out clerk asks me how I plan to prepare vegetables or a protein I'm buying. My initial reaction is to shy away from what I perceive as nosiness. I have to remind myself to relax and ease into the conversation.<br /><br /><br /><br /> Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-27838950488365615572013-11-09T15:23:38.822-06:002013-11-09T15:23:38.822-06:00You always make me laugh, Karen.
You make me thi...You always make me laugh, Karen. <br /><br />You make me think, too, and your comment about my mom not becoming wrapped up in herself is important. In some ways she's in survival mode and has stopped fretting that she can't get out to buy greeting cards and stamps. When she encounters someone she cares about, though, she gives that person a hundred percent of her attention. <br /><br />You, too, manage to keep sharing a little part of your life and remain very interested in others.Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-25035926945300462812013-11-04T15:48:54.704-06:002013-11-04T15:48:54.704-06:00I'm hoping I learn to master the art of conver...I'm hoping I learn to master the art of conversation by that age! It always feels insanely nosey to me, to ask people about their life. I really admire the people who take the time to care, and do so, effortlessly...Alarna Rose Grayhttp://alarnarosegray.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-24033050475846742222013-11-02T16:29:00.826-05:002013-11-02T16:29:00.826-05:00I see you've put up that hot picture of you al...I see you've put up that hot picture of you already Pat! lol. :)<br /><br />Hey, when you get older, each outing is a milestone. Any connection with others is a major stimulus. Your Mom is an amazing person. The fact that she has NOT become narcisstic, which would be normal for someone her age, is wonderful. She is able to share a little part of her life and is still very interested in others. That's what life is all about. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14259709127419990451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-2092057908930568122013-11-02T10:07:14.738-05:002013-11-02T10:07:14.738-05:00Hi, Patrick,
Your mother and mine protect their he...Hi, Patrick,<br />Your mother and mine protect their health via all those little exchanges, and you're right, there's nothing phony and self-serving about any of them. In a way, our mothers create a safety nets of people who will look out for them because they care about them. Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-24804811535269536562013-11-02T09:59:11.185-05:002013-11-02T09:59:11.185-05:00Hi, Lark,
Mary sounds like a lot of fun. No, going...Hi, Lark,<br />Mary sounds like a lot of fun. No, going places with her wouldn't be quick, but I'll bet you pick up a story idea, a character trait, or even a plot twist when you're out with her.<br />Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-24842205956017861742013-11-02T09:56:22.769-05:002013-11-02T09:56:22.769-05:00Hi, Coleen,
You said it better than I could. Yes, ...Hi, Coleen,<br />You said it better than I could. Yes, I think my mom's interest in others keeps her going. And, despite her mild heart attack, her heart's big and beats for other people.Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-33269829667751690162013-11-02T09:47:37.762-05:002013-11-02T09:47:37.762-05:00Hi, Patricia/Jansen,
Yes, REMEMBERING is key. My m...Hi, Patricia/Jansen,<br />Yes, REMEMBERING is key. My mom is good at keeping straight both the the details and highlights of people's lives. Some people do crossword puzzles and Sudoku to keep their brains active; my mom remembers whose son is finishing graduate school this year and whose daughter is working in Kenya.Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-17406682140871215252013-11-02T09:42:03.999-05:002013-11-02T09:42:03.999-05:00Hi, Liz!
As a writer, you can give a fictional cha...Hi, Liz!<br />As a writer, you can give a fictional character like Early your late mother-in-law's gift of connecting with people. In a that way, your mother-in-law's spirit lives on.<br /><br /> Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-5955739638007999852013-11-01T11:38:47.881-05:002013-11-01T11:38:47.881-05:00Hi Pat,
Your mother reminds me of mine - she'...Hi Pat,<br /><br />Your mother reminds me of mine - she's always establishing personal relationships with personnel in drug stores, doctor's offices, supermarkets, etc. Keep in mind that these very same people really like your mother and really do enjoy seeing her. That's the key, I think. It's not a phony "customer-client" relationship. As our world becomes ever so more anonymous due to technology we need these little exchanges to really keep us connected to life.<br /><br /> - PatrickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-47888038288699950912013-11-01T09:23:06.843-05:002013-11-01T09:23:06.843-05:00My mother-in-law knows EVERYONE--waitresses/manage...My mother-in-law knows EVERYONE--waitresses/managers in the restaurants they frequent (they go out for lunch and dinner every day), the people in their doctors offices, at church, stores. Going places with Mary is always fun and enlightening, although usually not quick. Lark Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363455770588651569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-44982028477957153872013-11-01T08:48:16.453-05:002013-11-01T08:48:16.453-05:00There's a quote that I'm not remembering r...There's a quote that I'm not remembering right now, but it's something about taking interest in others. I guess that's the important part of it, because it allows for the opportunity for connection. Your mom sounds amazing, Pat. :) I'm thinking of all those mind games the experts recommend as we get older--to sharpen our brain. I think your mom has it right--fostering and maintaining an interest and connection with real people sounds like the organic way to keep our minds (and hearts) healthy. Coleen Patrickhttp://coleenpatrick.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-1079306423847430682013-10-31T18:10:32.734-05:002013-10-31T18:10:32.734-05:00Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman, taking ...Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman, taking time to learn the little things and REMEMBERING them. That's the key - remembering. <br /><br />I shall make it a point to me more aware and mindful myself.<br /><br />Thanks for the reminder.<br /><br />Patricia Rickrode<br />w/a Jansen SchmidtPatricia Rickrode w/a Jansen Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09634429564028179643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-51427900537968290132013-10-31T06:23:26.651-05:002013-10-31T06:23:26.651-05:00This is such a great thing. My mother-in-law used ...This is such a great thing. My mother-in-law used to be that way and I still miss the person she was. <br /><br />And I'm so glad you liked my book--you made my morning!Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.com