[Critique Group 1] Leonard's comments re: Martia

[tuchyner5 at aol.com]

Gloom, agony and dispair  If it weren’t for bad luck, you’d have noluck at all. This piece reminds me of  ofHeHaw. 



The littany  of real problems  has a drole quality to it.  



But these are real issues. 



It makes me hesitant to smile while  reading it and admitting that I find itfunny, because there is a chance it was not meant to be amusing.   



Writing on the edge like you often do is atallent.  



Vivian lives only for the walk and shetakes you out of the doldrums, despite yur reluctance.  



There is actually a possitive messagehere. 



Going for a  walk with one’s dog, can completely changeone’s mood for a while. 



The walk should be a little on thestrenuous side , and take a minimum of 30 minutes. 



It works for me.  



As usuall, great writing. 




 


Excuses



MarciaJ. Wick, The Write Sisters



October2019



WordCount:  503



 



 



Myguide dog, Viviane, whines to go walking. As far as she is concerned, there areno excuses, although I am considering a few of my own. The temperature hasdipped into the 40s for the first time this fall. I’ll have to pull out my coldweather hat and gloves. Meanwhile, I’m preoccupied with my 94-year-old Dad’supcoming 95th birthday, my grandson’s eighth birthday, and thesecond anniversary of my mother’s passing, all of which I will miss whiletraveling out of town next week. The timing is regrettable. I should startpacking, but my arm is still sore from a fall I took the day before. Addinginsult to injury, I nicked my ankles shaving, and it pains me to wear walkingshoes that rubbed the spot. I also could use the morning time to cook up acasserole for the coming week - I won’t have time to cook tomorrow on accountof a hospice nurse visit with Dad. Like my dear old dad, my dear old cat issleeping more and eating less. I may need to change her food. And, I can’tforget to check my bank balance online. My younger daughter, nearing 28, isshort on her bills this month; I don’t mind covering the gap – she recentlybroke up with her long-time boyfriend and is working hard to make ends meet onher own, but a recent trip to the emergency room for an episode of kidneystones set her back. Meanwhile, my older daughter is feeling the strain ofworking full-time while managing two children and a marriage. She’s hoping theycan buy a house in Denverwhere the cost of real estate is unreal. I want to help; I want to hand her abig check, but I don’t have that luxury. Glancing at the calendar, I note thatit’s been a year since my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She receivedthe bad news on her 68th birthday. After today, she only has threemore chemo infusions to endure. While getting dressed, I notice my right hip isstiff. My second hip replacement isn’t healing as quickly as the first. Perhapsit’s due to the drop in temperature? The days are getting shorter. The holidaysare upon us – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years - 2020 iscoming, ready or not. The elections, the impeachment inquiry, the Russians andthe Ukrainians, the North Koreans, and China – how many distractions tokeep me from walking the dog can I find? Resigned, I clip Vivi’s collar andharness her up to guide me. My yellow Labradorexpresses her pleasure with a prance. As Viviane pulls me with purpose into thepresent, concerns of the day, the week, the month, and the year disappear. Asshe leads me forward, I concentrate solely on placing one foot in front of theother. For the next hour, I’ll have no excuses and no regrets. Walking with myguide dog is always the best part of my day. 



# You forgot to mention that Johnson andJohnson stock is falling .# #



 



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