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Blog Entry 14 of 112 Rampart Mick's Idle Thoughts
Really, that's all my writing is. I appreciate your input / feedback and I encourage each of you to try writing and submitting yourself! The worst that can happen (we hope) is you will be called asinine and an idiot, or clueless, and if I can get over THAT, surely you can too.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~RampartmicksIdleThoughts

A letter from my mother

Contributed by: Michael Rule   on 1/29/2007

Since day one my mom has always been my biggest supporter and my most honest critic. Back in High School, when I first started developing (pun unintended but noted) my interest in photography, I knew she would give me her opinion, and if it was positive, I felt more confident in showing my latest photo to others. If she didn't care for it (which was rare, I must admit, as she was mostly very supportive) in the trash it went.

Mom is a retired teacher. She taught Junior and Senior High School English for years. My siblings and I grew up having our speech constantly corrected. It was annoying to us then, but a source of family humor now. Mom always had an endless supply of papers to correct, and I would supplement my income correcting English tests at a penny a page. On a good night I could make $3. Thus I learned my rudimentary speech and writing skills.

When I started writing things and submitting them to YourHub.com a while back, I forwarded the links to mom so she could read them. I noticed she still liked my photographs, and would compliment them, but didn't have much to say about my writing. As writing for any type of submittal and/or reading by others outside friends and family is totally new to me, and mom is a great writer besides knowing proper English inside and out, I recently both asked for her criticism and encouraged her to put some words on paper herself. I told her, quite truthfully, that she was my inspiration and I would trade all her e-mail forwards (which are quite prolific) for a couple of paragraphs a week written by her. My hope was to get both honest feedback and inspire my mom to get back to writing herself.

Well, I got what I asked for and more! My latest blog on our vacation in Mexico earned barely passing grades. Basically she told me she could read stuff like that in any ol' travel section, and if I was interested in doing the travel schtick to keep trying. Ouch!! My mama, still giving me her honest opinion.

And then I got this letter from her the other day. I am so excited to share my mom's writing that I decided to post it in my blog for you all to read. You have all been so complimentary and supportive of my creative attempts that I am hoping you will read this and give your encouragement to her. Thanks and I hope you enjoy it as much as Susan and I have. So, here it is in it's entirety.
Michael "Mick" Rule.
P.S. Mom is pushing 80 and has no idea I am doing this! Please help me to keep it coming from her!

"Wandering in the Past" by Phyllis Rule

Dear Mickey and Susan,
I really meant to write a letter to all the family, and it may get to that, yet, but when I sat down at the computer my mind started to wander.

It's a very cold Sunday afternoon in Michigan. The sun shines intermittently, and in between "occasional snow showers" drift down. I have a brew at hand and classical music is playing on WKAR (NPR) in the background. I think it's the music that started my mind on its own track.

I, and my siblings, were brought up on classical music, and although I don't know many pieces individually, I enjoy it's sound. I love to imagine Mozart's time when his music was 'popular' and how the ladies and gentlemen danced so formally in their rich gowns and formal wear.

When I say 'brought up' I really should say 'exposed' to classical music. The radio was our only source of entertainment except books, and our parents were definitely in charge of the dial. Never roughly or loudly, but with a quiet assumption with which we didn't argue. Yes, life was different then.

Saturday afternoon was opera time. Actually it still is. The New York Metropolitan Opera broadcast an opera every Saturday, and they still do so.And sometimes I still listen. Opera was never my thing, but it was my mother's.

In our family, mother's choices ruled. Not necessarily through her, but my father saw to it that what mother wanted, if possible for him to provide, she got. So it was firmly understood that if we wanted to be in the living room on Saturday afternoon we either listened to the current opera, or sat quietly and read with it going in the background.

I sometimes wonder if that is why we were all vociferous readers?
I now remember those Saturdays with nostalgia. It was a time of life that will never return. The classical music, the opportunity to curl up with my current book and the lifelong enjoyment of classical music which was instilled in me without my realizing it was happening.

We listened to other musical programs, too: The Firestone Hour, the Bell Telephone Hour, the Texaco Star Theater (music and drama). These featured semi-classical and musical theater, and provided a more eclectic choice.
Then there were I Love a Mystery, The Shadow, Burns and Allen, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, The Creaking Door(we listened to this one in the dark, in bed, and were wonderfully terrified.) , and other long gone programs. The era has passed. TV is here, and my main complaint is the lack of imagination it has instilled in the last two generations. But that's a topic for another time.

LOL
XOXOXO
Your Mama






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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
Submitted By: Stan Dyer
posted on 5/7/2008 @ 5:20:08 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Where would we all be without mom? In my case, my mom did the best she could, but I sure spent a lot with grandma. I love them both. I would not be the great person I am without those great people in my life. Thank you for reminding the world how special our mom's are.
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Submitted By: Susanne Sanstra
posted on 2/6/2007 @ 9:59:21 PM
Rated Blog Entry
You have some big shoes to fill. I am also always questioning my ability to write, but the bottom line is I do it because I love it. I feel grounded when I write. If you do it from your heart the way your mother did you can never go wrong. I have enjoyed your blogs and when I see your name I always click. Susanne
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Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 1/31/2007 @ 3:39:58 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Mick, your mama's writing takes the reader for a ride. Thank you for sharing her words. I enjoyed my short trip with her.
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Submitted By: Candace Ebbinghaus
posted on 1/31/2007 @ 3:23:38 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Our mama has also been known to write some good poetry. :)
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Submitted By: Brendan Leonard
posted on 1/31/2007 @ 11:27:37 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Hey, I liked the Mexico story!
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Submitted By: Joseph Kirchmer
posted on 1/30/2007 @ 11:16:37 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Great story. Your mother is an excellent writer!
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 1/30/2007 @ 8:46:23 AM
(Not Rated)
Keep the comments coming! I will wait a day or so then send the link to mom. I am all with Karin's idea!Thanks!!!
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Submitted By: Karin Malchow
posted on 1/30/2007 @ 8:38:58 AM
Rated Blog Entry
I vote for Mama having her own blog, sharing herself and her experiences with the yourhub world.
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Submitted By: Candace Ebbinghaus
posted on 1/30/2007 @ 8:03:31 AM
Rated Blog Entry
We do have a special mom, no doubt in my mind. :) Love, The little sister
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Submitted By: William Boucher
posted on 1/29/2007 @ 10:35:16 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Awesome Mick. Keep it coming.
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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Michael Rule

Larkspur , CO

Michael Rule has posted 112 blog entries and 1415 comments since joining on 2/23/2006. Michael Rule 's average blog rating is 4.95.
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