tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post2816421359125415677..comments2023-02-22T10:44:50.456-06:00Comments on mudjob: Guest Writer: Gita SmithMDJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17793388758122524855noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-3727030003551959982010-08-01T21:03:07.876-05:002010-08-01T21:03:07.876-05:00I waited a long time to put my two cents here, but...I waited a long time to put my two cents here, but I guess it's because I didn't want to seem prejudiced. I love everything this writer produces, and this is one more example of how her keen powers of observation pick up on the telling details. The story is sad for the most part because we feel bad when relationships hit the rocks, but at least Nicki finds redemption and is empowered by her decisions, and damn, I wish I knew the tune to which one could put the lyrics of the Nova Scotia song.<br />Memorable, Gita. Thanks.MDJBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17793388758122524855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-9087146322057662412010-07-25T20:40:26.708-05:002010-07-25T20:40:26.708-05:00Norman: No one's ever told me my writing was e...Norman: No one's ever told me my writing was ethereal and wispy before. Frankly, I thought this one was a bit raw, given the bruises and Joe's sarcastic "drahma-teest" and the woman losing her identity the longer she stayed with the man. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. Thanks for liking it.Gita Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883735348008779245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-64949639938829006192010-07-24T14:03:15.960-05:002010-07-24T14:03:15.960-05:00This piece reads so ethereal and wispy that I was ...This piece reads so ethereal and wispy that I was almost surprised by the taxi at the end. This could’ve been set in a wooden tavern, tucked away deep in an enchanted forest. I felt almost magically ferried through this story by the effortless prose. What an extraordinary talent you have.Normanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11876944702052352983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-80565092751604976212010-07-20T15:53:24.206-05:002010-07-20T15:53:24.206-05:00Gita, thanks for directing me to this absolutely s...Gita, thanks for directing me to this absolutely stunning work. Everyone else has praised this and rightly so. A finer piece I haven't seen in quite a while.Crybbe666https://www.blogger.com/profile/14752123812270914073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-45568777164181895602010-07-18T17:10:48.674-05:002010-07-18T17:10:48.674-05:00Wonderful Gita,I loved and enjoyed in this story.Wonderful Gita,I loved and enjoyed in this story.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12990087883830768493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-23941470606694592742010-07-17T09:43:13.895-05:002010-07-17T09:43:13.895-05:00A tale well told of awakening, survival, and trium...A tale well told of awakening, survival, and triumph in the rediscovery of hope. Nice job.Jos. Bernard "Joe" Genslehttp://www.sixsentences.ning.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-5896602480024276322010-07-16T22:19:12.052-05:002010-07-16T22:19:12.052-05:00I loved the theme of movement and the contrasts be...I loved the theme of movement and the contrasts between Nicki and Joe. You turned the flower metaphor upside down in more ways than one. For example, Joe's destruction of the rose, which was very moving. There are too many parallels to mention, Gita, and "Salamander" deserves very careful reading. Supreme.Grey Johnsonhttp://sixsentences.ning.com/profile/GreyJohnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-21034063774424416382010-07-14T18:39:20.529-05:002010-07-14T18:39:20.529-05:00I love and I hate this. It reminds me of so many o...I love and I hate this. It reminds me of so many of my friends, before it was too late. Seriously,<br />you did a magnificent job on this story. I'm very proud to have you join us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-56970670090288353522010-07-14T13:04:04.672-05:002010-07-14T13:04:04.672-05:00A prize winning story, Gita. Deep and human. May y...A prize winning story, Gita. Deep and human. May your write many more.peter mcniffhttp://www.petermcniff.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-25668468473149834362010-07-14T12:46:29.072-05:002010-07-14T12:46:29.072-05:00So late to the party, it's all been said and I...So late to the party, it's all been said and I agree with it all. The way you have captured the sad waste of life is gut wrenching and your capture of her brave, determination to move on, inspiring - well done!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07682943444589947158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-44426402493826352882010-07-14T12:36:20.033-05:002010-07-14T12:36:20.033-05:00Thank you again. @ Paul: it is a Canadian folk son...Thank you again. @ Paul: it is a Canadian folk song and you probably can find the sheet music online. Wish I could provide the audio on here.<br />@ Edward: you who wrote a best selling book about wine? Quit drinking? Not before I can visit your wine cellar, please.Gita Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883735348008779245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-48047465820300119712010-07-14T09:27:03.275-05:002010-07-14T09:27:03.275-05:00Wonderful Gita- it is a pleasure to read 'the ...Wonderful Gita- it is a pleasure to read 'the longer you' - enjoyed the farewell to Nova Scotia ditty!Paul dehttp://metheothertwin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-49080939046428772102010-07-14T09:21:49.120-05:002010-07-14T09:21:49.120-05:00Superb character piece, G. The line that set wind ...Superb character piece, G. The line that set wind to my sail was: "Nicki saw herself as only a dotted line on their map." Perfect!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-40263376860360739422010-07-14T08:36:58.512-05:002010-07-14T08:36:58.512-05:00As exceptional as you are, this is exceptional squ...As exceptional as you are, this is exceptional squared!<br />Fluid, descriptive and reality based warmth.<br />This wants to make me give up drinking!<br />(Nahhh; that was a bad thought:)Ed Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739273852956121241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-88352013015650995482010-07-14T07:35:24.722-05:002010-07-14T07:35:24.722-05:00Gita this was excellent. So nice to get to read so...Gita this was excellent. So nice to get to read something longer of yours.Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09628269009060185397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-3422130235286712182010-07-14T07:21:25.224-05:002010-07-14T07:21:25.224-05:00Thank you all for such kind comments. But kudos go...Thank you all for such kind comments. But kudos go to the real-life CB Hackworth who, years ago, plopped down across from me at a Mexican cafe one evening and annnounced, "Not drinking has added an element of uncertainty to my life; I used to know how I'd die." The stunning self-awareness of that line alerted the magpie lobe in my brain and got filed under "future use."Gita Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883735348008779245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-19386544024637003632010-07-14T07:19:18.812-05:002010-07-14T07:19:18.812-05:00I'm thrilled Nicki got sober and was easily sw...I'm thrilled Nicki got sober and was easily swept along by your descriptions of her struggle and journey. Beautiful work and I agree with Ingrid, I wish this had been a novel.Teresa Cortezhttp://wabisabiwords.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-12093343717399869832010-07-14T07:17:52.292-05:002010-07-14T07:17:52.292-05:00Few write as captivatingly as you, Gita. I number...Few write as captivatingly as you, Gita. I number you among the best! This story is only one of yours that proves why.Salvatore Buttacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17477098872186908154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-60739615008916779192010-07-14T06:44:54.349-05:002010-07-14T06:44:54.349-05:00Oh, this was so wonderful Michael, I could have go...Oh, this was so wonderful Michael, I could have gone on reading and reading, it is a shame it hadn't been a novel. I really enjoyed it. I am sorry it had a sad ending, but such it life too at times. Thank you for sharing with us. IngridDesiree60https://www.blogger.com/profile/14999582867149278432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-53938665086767536442010-07-14T05:53:58.419-05:002010-07-14T05:53:58.419-05:00This is achingly beautiful in its imagery. Wonderf...This is achingly beautiful in its imagery. Wonderfully told.<br />Adam BAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-67708349215523447212010-07-14T04:37:55.560-05:002010-07-14T04:37:55.560-05:00Beautifully done, Gita. You've caught real lif...Beautifully done, Gita. You've caught real life in a jar and given it to us with a smile, "Look what I caught for you!" Really, really good work!Bill Laphamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-13151960310870715352010-07-14T03:57:34.818-05:002010-07-14T03:57:34.818-05:00A sad lonely despondence settles over this piece w...A sad lonely despondence settles over this piece with its fine descriptive prose. Nuanced and oh so very tightly woven, this is a pronounced basket of good telling that is Gita's hallmark.Michael Solenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120045114297450520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-73973552129876669092010-07-14T02:27:36.751-05:002010-07-14T02:27:36.751-05:00This is rich in colour, texture, taste and tempera...This is rich in colour, texture, taste and temperature - I love the depths of the characters you have brought to life here and the details of their living quarters. I just hope Joe has the sense to get sober and go find her - and himself - once again. A great longer than six read Gita, thank youSandra Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788472031698175632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-52057519676535254692010-07-14T01:23:51.195-05:002010-07-14T01:23:51.195-05:00Damn, that was a good read. And "...a whiskey...Damn, that was a good read. And <i>"...a whiskey thirst that reached to her knees"</i> was the salt on the rim. Nice one, Gita - good choice Michael.Tuonelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03204662879792041735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014461870405318477.post-30657052438440507342010-07-14T01:22:41.269-05:002010-07-14T01:22:41.269-05:00love the details of the furniture store and Joe ha...love the details of the furniture store and Joe having to sit in each chair and promising name-brand furniture. felt so real!bchttp://www.boltoncarley.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com