Jacqueline Sheehan

July 29, 2013 7:15 AM EDT

Very cute obit for your old friend. Especially loved the part about the ghastly sound it made at its demise!

- Priscilla Nix

July 29, 2013 8:16 AM EDT

It IS amazing how we get "attached" to some things. Even though they may just be inanimate pieces of material (I'm thinking of my guitars!) but, we do. Also, more frightening, is that many times we have longer and better relationships with these things. Not always a bad thing....

- Clark

December 28, 2012 5:39 PM EST

We thought a lot about this issue when our first granddaughter Josie was born and didn't come to any conclusions. She solved the problem by naming us. At about 18 months or so, she started calling me Meema, and calling Robby Peepa. We have no idea where she picked these names up, but they have stuck. And, gotta admit I love them.

- Ellen Meeropol

December 29, 2012 11:55 AM EST

Loved it - especially the line: In the third trimester of our lives..."
How about Gee-pa to go with Mema? Or take the risk to just wait until your g-baby names you....

- patriciariggs

January 01, 2013 3:02 PM EST

Loved reading this, Alan - and a wonderful picture of you.
Are you sure you couldn't honor your father by also using the name Poppa for the newest family member? It is a fun name - and I know two friends who love being called that. The most unusual response I can share is from the father of a niece-in-law. He did not want the usual names - perhaps in response to the admission of age - so he is called "Blueberry" by his grandchildren. Sorry - that's already taken now!

- Marion ( aka Grandma and now Grammy by the youngest)

March 21, 2013 7:40 PM EDT

Alan, just read this. If you can wait a couple of months, just wait for him to start babbling. When he begins repeating a certain babble sound that you like hearing (maybe "ba ba" or "la la" or "mo mo"), jump in front of him with arms outstretched, in a "Ta da" moment, like you've just completed a tap dance on stage, as in "here I am, it's me, la la," and when he repeats it, you jump in front of him again. Soon he'll be laughing and you'll be laughing, and your grand baby will have named you your very own unique name.

- Jeanne Borfitz

December 05, 2012 5:10 AM EST

I just finished reading "Now & Then", my first experience at reading your work. I found it to be an outstanding work of fiction! Your characters were real and compelling and you
artfully guided the reader into every chapter with the thread of intrigue that you wove throughout.

The thing I was most astonished about, was the amazing similiarity between your life story and my own and by the Irish places and characters that were identical to those in my family's geneology.

At this late time in my life, I feel strongly compelled to put a voice to my life experiences, which have been unique and varied. Throughout my life, I have been complimented on my ability to express my thoughts on paper. My mother wrote poetry and is responsible for my love of reading and any talent in prose that I possess. It is also a financial imperative that I find the Grandmother Moses in me if it exists!

I have inquired into a memoir writing class that a friend suggested to me. I have not yet received a response to my e mail. The class is free, but limited to twelve participants. I have also decided that any story line running through my had should be immediately put to paper. One such plot will be nailed down on this gloomy, rainy day.

I would appreciate hearing from you on any advise you might have for me. More importantly, I want to tell you about the circumstances in my birth family that match yours and have identically impacted the direction of my life.

First, I must attend to the almost ruined bread pudding I just pulled out of my oven! I also need to find out what is causing my internet connection to be so jumpy today. Further writing is impossible!

Thanks for the good read! Hoping to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Marilyn Schneider

- yn Schneider

December 05, 2012 6:29 AM EST

Dear Marilyn,
Please contact me by email and I may be able to give you some ideas. jrsheehan@verizon.net.

- Jacqueline

December 17, 2012 7:14 AM EST

Jacqueline -
I did write you an E mail around 12/6. I was having a great deal of trouble with my computer at that time. Everything has been fixed now. I know you are a very busy lady and I don't mean to push, but if you did not receive it, I will resend. Have been accepted in the April writing class and am on standby for the January class in case someone drops out. Have started reading "Writing Down the Bones".
I just finished reading "Truth". It was hard to put down. The reader is transported to that point in time and experiences slavery and attitudes toward it in all its ugliness. It reminded me of the book "The Peculiar Institution" by Kenneth M. Stampp which was assigned reading in one of my college classes. I still have the book and treasure it as one the best and most illuminating books ever written on slavery in the South.

Your writing style is impressive and unique. Please enjoy every minute of the Holiday Season ahead.

Respectfully,

- Marilyn A. Schneider

December 17, 2012 12:27 PM EST

Marilyn,
Try my email again. I received nothing from you.

- Jacqueline Sheehan

September 12, 2012 4:20 AM EDT

Reminds me of my Gramma who was a canner. I'm reminded of something she canned called picalilly. I'm sure I'm misspelling it which seems fitting because I could never figure out what it was. It was beautiful though and so was she, her cheeks flushed from the steam.

- Marianne Banks

October 15, 2012 10:39 AM EDT

I would expect nothing less from you, Jacqueline, you are such a wonderfully generous person. Take advantage of these workshops, She is delightfully fun and wonderfully insightful.

- Kathleen "Mimi" LaFrancis Eaton