Photo from Randy Maize
Great picture at Friday Fictioneers this week from Randy Maize. I think there’ll be a wide range of takes on this and I’m looking forward to reading them. I’ve resisted ‘dark’ again, given ‘humour’ a rest and decided to go under the guise of ‘social comment’. I hope I don’t offend anybody, (politicians excepted). 😉 And please see note below re comments.
She likes me sittin’ beside her, readin’ my bible, reflectin’, rememberin’. She don’t even mind the goat leaping on the gravestones – sometimes I think she’d more respect for animals than people.
Ma was a proud woman, kept herself locked away inside, the softness buried deep behind a sharp tongue and a suspicious nature. Didn’t suffer fools gladly. And politicians not at all.
When we talked about the changes she’d fold thin lips, flash those big brown eyes.
“Only thing gonna change round here son is the colour of them ridin’ the gravy train. And there won’t be seats for us all.”
Sam Cooke: A Change Is Gonna Come
Comments: For some reason, my comments on other peoples’ submissions are not appearing. Some have been found in spam boxes, where I have also found several comments from those who regularly participate on this site. Please check your spambox regularly until this problem is resolved. And don’t be offended if it appears I haven’t commented. 🙂
castelsarrasin 
Excellent! I think I’d love this Ma. I am also looking forward to reading what other Fridayfictioneers will come up with.
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There’s such a range of possibilities with this prompt. Thanks for reading Gabriella.
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Dear Sandra,
Wonderful story. Feels very early 1960ish. Love the folksy feel with the punch at the end. I’m hoping we’ve progressed beyond this scenario. Nonetheless, well written with spot on dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I’ve no real feel for the situation in America, though I have spent some time in South Africa. I love the song.
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Excellent write ! I think “Ma” had the gift of forsight.
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Thanks! 🙂
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You write this with a strong, authentic voice. I think Ma was pretty wise.
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Thanks David. 🙂
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Successful characterization and mood capture. Well done, Sandra.
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Thanks vb, glad you dropped by.
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The voice is really powerful here, Sandra, and the story probably a little too true. Nice job this week!
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Thanks Jennifer. I think you’re right.
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Sandra your assessment of the state of affairs in the USA is spot on. We have become a nation of “take care of me.” The government is trying to hand out instead of giving a hand up.
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Well our successive governments haven’t done too well on either score, riding the gravy train and solving problems by hand-outs, though the recession appears to have concentrated a few minds.
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Some biting commentary — it would be funny if I hadn’t heard this kind of talk and worse out of the mouths of seemingly sweet old ladies.
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Sweet old ladies are the pits H Ken Abell. 😉 Thanks for dropping by.
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Nice piece. Always feel it’s a slight risk when I start droppin’ letters. Where do you stop? I think you struck a fair balance.
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Yes, I got a bit antsy about this but once you’ve started to you can hardly stop, and I suspect it’s overdone in this piece
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It’s tricky. As you say once you start when do you stop? You almost feel obliged to keep doing it and the piece can end up looking silly. It’s good to have a bit of critiquing like this. Wish there was more on FF.
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Oh my goodness Sandra! You are an amazing writer. Wonderful! ;D
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Thank you! Glad you liked it. Sorry if my comments on yours don’t reach you.
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I just retrieved your comment from my spam folder. Thank you Sandra! 😀
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Glad you found it. People will be finding them over the next few weeks I should think! 🙂
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That seems to happen every once in a while to me too! But it eventually sorts itself out somehow! 😀
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The margin between fools and politicians…
Well done, Sandra.
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Very slender JK, indeed. Thank you.
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Great and timeless analysis of the situation. Ma’s a genius, but will stand and see the gravy train leaving the station.
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‘Fraid so! Thanks Bjorn.
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I loved Ma and Sam Cooke can do no wrong
Well done, great story as usual
Dee
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Thanks Dee. Don’t know if you’ve caught the Friday Fictioneers FB page, but your story was ending up in some people’s spambox, including mine.
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Hi Sandra – didn’t know there was an FF Facebook page so thanks for the info. Do I need to do anything?
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About the spamming issue? Well I’ve contacted WordPress and they’re looking into it. Hopefully whatever (if anything) they do will remedy the situation for all who have been affected. If not, try going on the wordpress support site, post your issue and hopefully someone will eventually take it on from there. Have a nice weekend. 🙂
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Thanks Sandra, you too. Enjoy the sunshine wherever you are 🙂
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Hi Dee. Just had a comment from Doug who said that he also found your comment in his spambox, along with mine. If this is more than just an isolated instance (for me it’s every comment that I make to a WordPress site – not to others) then you should get onto http://akismet.com/contact to register the problem and have them fix it. I’m finding this very frustrating – it’s been happening since Wednesday.
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Hi Sandra
Just had a comment about this from Doug also. I’m not sure if it makes a difference but when I’m out and about I comment/reply using the WP app on my phone and when I’m home or in the office I use my pc. This is from my phone.
I will check my spam to see if its happened to me too
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I did manage to post a comment on my own page with the Asus tablet without it going to spam. When I tried with the laptop it went to my spam filter first time, and later it went to my page. It’s still not fixed.
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Hi Dee. I’ve been on the support forum all week on this issue and they’ve posted this morning to say the problem has been fixed. It was apparently only affecting UK customers on Sky and BT broadband. Fingers crossed!
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Hi Sandra, thank you for all your help and for the update, fingers crossed indeed!
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A bold creative statement made. Even though I don’t live in the USA, I can relate with politicians back home. I like the way the story played out. Well done.
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Thanks Charles – I’ve no real experience of life in the USA either, apart from several visits, so this was largely an observation from my time in SA.
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Whoa! Sounds like the old switcheroo to me. Marvelous, Sandra! Keep at it! You got the goods for a lot of other stories than dark ones. 🙂
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Thanks Kent; sorry if I’ve not been able to comment on yours (see Fri Fic FB page).
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You always slip seamlessly into new genres/moods…. you really are a chameleon, darling.
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Thank you Helena, always nice to have you drop by.
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outstanding !
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Thank you Bill! 🙂
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Way to evoke a mood! Left me wondering about the child’s future and where they ended up! Nice.
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Thank you, glad you liked it.
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Ma has me scared! I think I’m packing my bags for another reality …
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I’ll join you… 🙂
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Good read.
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Thank you Dawn.
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I like how you describe and build Ma’s character — I’m sure she had a lot more wisdom beyond that gravy train gem.
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I’d guess so. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Yep, this was good. Social commentary is always welcome, to my mind.
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Thank you Freya. I think my spamming problem may have prevented me from commenting on yours this week. I’ll make it up….;)
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A good read, I read it a few times and agree with so many of the comments above, including I believe you can write anything!
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Thank you! Your comment ended up in my spam box, have no idea why but better late than never. Thanks for commenting.
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Glad you saved me from your spam file – that has happened a few times on my blog too – not with your messages! You’re welcome.
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Hi Sandra,
How do you crank these out so fast? Sometimes I'[m quickly inspired, but other times it’s torturous, but you always seem to produce stories of consistent quality with ease. This one has a great voice, created partially by authentic sounding dialect. The seats on the gravy train in the good ole USA are becoming off limits to more and more Americans, just as you describe. Ron
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I’m a bit like you, if the muse strikes it strikes quickly. Otherwise it’s a long and painful process. Thank you for commenting Ron, glad you were here this week.
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That is so powerful. Keep them coming.
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Thanks Patrick. I know I commented on yours, can you check your spam box.
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Yes, I see you fell in with the same mood that I had. I am going to write another anyway, now that it is morning here in Athens, where my sick daughter has currently taken me.
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I’m sorry about your daughter Linda, hope she’s making progress. Thanks for finding the time to drop by.
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I love the descriptiveness of your writing – “she’d fold thin lips” The gravy train is getting harder and harder for us taxpayers to pull.
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Thanks Roger, you probably won’t read this unless you visit your spambox again but over here our gravy train is nicely populated with both ends of the social spectrum. 😦
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I’ve been holding back on political commentary. It doesn’t seem popular, but I rather enjoy seeing it myself. I can relate to Ma a bit. The gravy train ain’t gonna stop any time soon. Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
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🙂 It was worth a try! Thanks for reading.
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I think Ma got the adage about power and corruption. Well stated, even if I don’t completely agree. 😉
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/judas-goats/
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I think she did. Thanks for reading Maggie. Will try to leave a comment on yours.
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I enjoyed this – great dialect andpowerful feelings.
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Thanks Erin!
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Dear Sandra,
Your story was a great character piece, full of life, acerbic wit and some very astute observation. This sort of solid writing is what I think all of your readers have come to expect from you, but I want to tell you once more that it is appreciated and enjoyed.
Aloha,
Doug
P.S. Found three comments in my spam file, two from you and one from Dee. Will be checking my spam file daily from now on and bad-mouthing WordPress untill it is fixed.
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Thanks Doug, you’re very kind. This ‘comments’ problem is infuriating and appears to affect sites randomly. Still no resolution yet.
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3rd test comment – not giving up!
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Yay! it worked. So why isn’t it working on other sites. Now I am talking to myself. 😦
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Ma’s attitude is very relatable. I liked this very much, Sandra.
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Thank you Honie! I’ve commented on yours – you’ll probably find it in your spam filter. 😦
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Rescued your comment from the spam filter, Sandra. Thanks for letting me know.
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I know where Ma is coming from. Great take Sandra.
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Thanks Jackie. I’ve been to yours, you know where to look for my comment. 😦
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Oh oh, I will look in the spam. Sorry. 😦
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You handled that superbly! Well done. I could just see her talking. Great dialogue.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/friday-fictioneers-71213-a-very-grave-nanny-pg13/
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Thank you Scott! I’ve just been to yours – check your spam filter. 😦
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Sandra, I loved your story. truly. Thoughtful and gracefully done, Ma’s wisdom is classic wisdom I believe!
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Thanks Penny!
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Another excellent story. And insightful. I agree with Ma! P.S. I don’t think you’re the only one on WP having ‘comments’ problems. Hope it’s not a virus! Ann
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Thank you annisik51. I’d hoped WordPress might have sorted this by this morning, but no. You’ll find my comment on your lovely story in your spam filter. 🙂
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wow, the voice in this piece is really powerful.
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Love the description of Ma – ‘the softness buried deep behind a sharp tongue’. Her chacracter is so clear.
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I loved the subtlety of the commentary. Of course Ma’s characterisation is superb – is she wholly imaginary?
Nice one and you did avoid both darkness and humour as you had set out to do.
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Dearest Sandra ~ my utmost apologies ~ I had not checked the wretched spam for comments and missed yours ~ as this was a first, you will, I hope, excuse me.
I’ve enjoyed your story very much ~ so many talented writers at Friday Fictioneers. I found 18 comments lurking in that wretched spam and am gradually catching up with everyone (!)
Peace ~ Polly
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Ironically Polly, I just found your comment in mine! I understand WordPress/Akismet have sorted the spamming problem which was apparently affecting only UK customers on BT or Sky broadband. Looking forward to seeing you again this week on Friday Fictioneers. Sandra
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Good news, thanks Sandra ~ will the new prompt come online today?
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If you’re UK (which I assume you are – either that or you’re an insomniac like me :)) you should get an email around 9am. If you’re following Rochelle that is. See you there!
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Cool! And, yes, I am … both in the UK and following Rochelle ~ can’t wait!
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Sweet old ladies are not the pits H Ken Abell and Sandra. It’s just that sweet old ladies have seen too much, don’t like what they’ve seen and are resentful of having been stripped of their blinkers. If anything, it’s politicians that are the pits. In Australia there’s going to be an election happening in the next few weeks and most of us loathe both major parties and a couple of minor ones and what they stand for, the weasels. Phew, got that off my system.
Thanks for the post. 🙂
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Hi mary, just found your comment in my spam box. Sorry for any delay. Glad you got that off your chest. 🙂
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