tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post2510907129699166051..comments2023-10-21T11:44:45.588+01:00Comments on ResidentAlien: Three Little GiftsMary Witzlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-40915794841515629392010-04-09T21:28:06.893+01:002010-04-09T21:28:06.893+01:00Vijaya -- You are so sweet to say that. You have n...Vijaya -- You are so sweet to say that. You have no idea how that warms my heart!Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-15934513784579720032010-04-07T19:27:18.284+01:002010-04-07T19:27:18.284+01:00The first thing I thought of when I read The Gift ...The first thing I thought of when I read The Gift that Keeps on Giving are ...colds and coughs... and even STDs<br /><br />I much prefer your stories. They are little jewels. I love short stories and own several collections and would love to have one from you in book form.Vijayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-15001368450672468812010-04-06T19:19:26.648+01:002010-04-06T19:19:26.648+01:00Robin -- I've just realized which email addres...Robin -- I've just realized which email address you used -- I will absolutely check it as soon as I get the password from my husband (long story). (I'm not ignoring you, honest!)<br /><br />Angela -- You are really sweet to say that. I write these stories so that I'll have something to do while sorting through rejection letters, rewriting, and planning lessons. The fact that people come to read them is really what keeps me going.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-35410752569589301132010-04-06T00:43:38.423+01:002010-04-06T00:43:38.423+01:00Mary, I love your blog. I really really do. I want...Mary, I love your blog. I really really do. I want you to know that these stories might just be stories to you, but to me they are a window to somewhere else, to experiences I am allowed to share through you. Thanks for being so generous with your adventures!Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-56823461074424059522010-04-05T22:34:39.625+01:002010-04-05T22:34:39.625+01:00Mary, I e mailed you a really annoying e mail, and...Mary, I e mailed you a really annoying e mail, and in the light of day (without 3 teenage boys looking soulfully at me with their cute little brace faces), I'm sort of embarrassed. I never blush, but I'll make an exception. *blush*Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396540555696283171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-1449962804236601672010-04-05T20:43:52.898+01:002010-04-05T20:43:52.898+01:00e -- I'm half sorry and half relieved to say t...e -- I'm half sorry and half relieved to say that those kittens aren't to be. The vet made an executive decision; she said our kitten was really too young to have her own babies. Now it looks like she's had her cake and eaten it too. <br /><br />AnneS -- It's not like I haven't tried (sniff). I think I need to polish these up, get them organized, and put them through their paces again. But I could paper my kitchen in the rejections I've amassed so far. If my blog readers were publishers, this beggar would ride! <br /><br />Rick -- Aww, thank you! (We're not related by any chance, are we?) :o)<br /><br />Robin -- Yes, that kid really threw me off by not doing what I would have done if I'd known I'd dropped the coins: getting down on my haunches and scrabbling for the money like nobody's business. When I drop money, I pick it up pronto!Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-72125212979010801342010-04-05T02:07:28.220+01:002010-04-05T02:07:28.220+01:00Those are very exciting dolmus rides! Why didn...Those are very exciting dolmus rides! Why didn't the boy start picking up his coins right away? It would have made it clear what had happened. Sheesh.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396540555696283171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-88771480416642347962010-04-03T22:35:10.922+01:002010-04-03T22:35:10.922+01:00What a lovely, lovely story! Thank you so much fo...What a lovely, lovely story! Thank you so much for posting it. And I like the idea of "The Dolmus Stories." I'd buy a copy myself.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14546882686381428986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-82808465483853870282010-04-03T21:12:45.545+01:002010-04-03T21:12:45.545+01:00You have to write this for a larger audience than ...You have to write this for a larger audience than just us blog readers, Mary. You really do.Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-29840906786059341672010-04-03T18:52:14.343+01:002010-04-03T18:52:14.343+01:00Wonderful anecdotes, particularly regarding the ca...Wonderful anecdotes, particularly regarding the cat...I hope you'll find homes for her kittens!ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376645220662546020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-89072023142792350762010-04-03T08:54:26.386+01:002010-04-03T08:54:26.386+01:00Pat -- They are spectacularly uncomfortable, often...Pat -- They are spectacularly uncomfortable, often with dusty, torn seat covers, doors that have to be wrenched open and shut, and drivers from hell. But their suspension is usually good (weird, considering the driving and generally pock-marked roads), and they're a real adventure. And VERY convenient too!<br /><br />We once almost bought a house in Minehead. I have fond memories of it still.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-31009482971131001612010-04-03T08:44:38.534+01:002010-04-03T08:44:38.534+01:00All of life - it seems - happens on a dolmus. I j...All of life - it seems - happens on a dolmus. I just hope they are more comfortable then our Minehead to Taunton busesPathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529798893653033970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-39880451698512740532010-04-03T08:29:46.707+01:002010-04-03T08:29:46.707+01:00AnneB -- I'll tell myself that I'm collect...AnneB -- I'll tell myself that I'm collecting blog fodder, the next time I jerk open the sliding door of a dolmuş as I stand on some dusty, windy street corner. If I were swanning around in some fancy car, I really would miss out, wouldn't I? :o)<br /><br />Bish -- Thank you! I wish I could have worked in an Easter egg there somewhere, though.<br /><br />Charlie -- The dolmuş provides more opportunities for weird experiences as you can't quite stand up in one and there is only space for 15 people. It's a much cozier, scarier, or more irritating atmosphere. <br /><br />MGH -- He had no idea just what a bombshell of a cat she was, either. Not that my daughter ever have given her away.<br /><br />Robert -- You have GOT to write about that! <br /><br />I've 'given away' a lot of free things too, and so has my daughter. Just recently she 'gave away' her passport, God knows where. Last year she donated her mobile phone to some stranger on a dolmuş. Sigh... No one has left anything of value for us to find yet, but we live in hope. Though we would probably turn it in, it would be nice to find something.<br /><br />Eryl -- I'm not sure this would sell, but I've got a small volume now. Maybe someone will decide to publish an anthology of experiences on public transport?<br /><br />Blythe -- Not quite as exciting as stars, but they help make up the fabric of my life. <br /><br />AP -- I was so relieved when he smiled and winked! I'd been sitting there, certain that he was thinking of me as a thieving middle-aged woman. I'll bet he knows I'm a teacher too. A story like that could really get around. (Shiver)<br /><br />Adrienne -- Eggplants need a ton of oil to taste good -- that's the biggest problem for me. Who needs all that oil? You're an artichoke fan, right? No one else in my family will touch artichokes -- it's so sad. They grow all over the place here and cost so l .<br /><br />Falak -- There weren't really any gifts involved, but the potential was there. Sometimes it pays to look at things as gifts, even when they feel like anything but. <br /><br />Happy Easter to you too!Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-44382851346431784832010-04-03T07:51:55.910+01:002010-04-03T07:51:55.910+01:00Mary, you captured the fun of travelling by public...Mary, you captured the fun of travelling by public transport perfectly! There are so many funny incidents that happen which make for wonderful anecdotes when you travel with a variety of people:)<br />I loved the common thread of 'The Gift' running through all three stories:)<br />Happy Easter in advance to you and your family!Falakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08321524864693512771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-17718311264796090832010-04-03T06:33:24.542+01:002010-04-03T06:33:24.542+01:00Great stories - I especially like the last one, bu...Great stories - I especially like the last one, but I would have had to re-gift those eggplants...I've tried, but I just can't stand the stuff, no matter how they're prepared!Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05583029102450754497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-66905241746279948482010-04-03T03:13:22.453+01:002010-04-03T03:13:22.453+01:00Three interesting stories about everyday life. Pro...Three interesting stories about everyday life. Proof that<br />gifts can be anything, it is all in the way you look at it.<br />The spilled coins story was a hoot, loved the smile and wink ending.angryparsniphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17236094827257446781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-79564129752669332212010-04-03T00:20:23.696+01:002010-04-03T00:20:23.696+01:00A constellation of stories. Thank you Mary.A constellation of stories. Thank you Mary.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10147284664183496856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-25791691989029022302010-04-03T00:11:01.476+01:002010-04-03T00:11:01.476+01:00The Dolmus Stories. I'd buy that.The Dolmus Stories. I'd buy that.Erylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06008344023000459577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-90397160942017134842010-04-02T23:20:17.291+01:002010-04-02T23:20:17.291+01:00I once gave away a free turkey... it was on the bo...I once gave away a free turkey... it was on the bottom rack of the grocery cart. It was pouring down rain and I hurriedly emptied the cart then got in the car out of the rain. I was half way home when I remembered the turkey; I returned to the store, the cart was still in the parking lot but the turkey was gone.<br /><br />Years later, in the same store, I saw people stepping over a wad of something on the floor. I stopped and picked it up... it was a wad of money, a couple of hundred dollars! <br /><br />The store givith and the store taketh away.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-7165685985094169692010-04-02T23:15:24.036+01:002010-04-02T23:15:24.036+01:00Wonderful stories. I sure got a snicker out of the...Wonderful stories. I sure got a snicker out of the driver who thought he was being gifted with a cat!MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-52793112317840022252010-04-02T23:01:33.581+01:002010-04-02T23:01:33.581+01:00A lot sure happens on a dolmus, but I suppose that...A lot sure happens on a dolmus, but I suppose that's true of any bus system worldwide.<br /><br />Did your cat get pregnant on a dolmus?Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722567671925063706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-6323204587414365812010-04-02T21:24:33.853+01:002010-04-02T21:24:33.853+01:00Great stories, perfect for the season!Great stories, perfect for the season!Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-15958044170730298552010-04-02T21:18:43.902+01:002010-04-02T21:18:43.902+01:00Those folks who drive around in fancy cars just do...Those folks who drive around in fancy cars just don't know what they're missing. They'll never have the blog followers you do!AnneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14353297751372957745noreply@blogger.com