Recent Reviews for McCollonough catbird93@gmail.com
A Valentine's Day Story (Short Story) - 2/6/2019 2:53:09 PM
some of the best gifts come from ones self, my most treasured ones always have been. finely done.
A Valentine's Day Story (Short Story) - 2/2/2019 7:12:22 AM
Thanks for your review. Please let me know how I can improve on this story.
A Valentine's Day Story (Short Story) - 2/2/2019 4:34:09 AM
For your story's sake, I'm glad things worked out better than expected for Chris, using ingenuity which store-bought cards would not have captured.
Mrs. Which and the Leaky Caldron (Short Story) - 10/23/2018 8:38:11 AM
Very fanciful. Only young kids would find it fun. All kids love candy corn.
Ron
Mama went to War (Short Story) - 1/5/2018 8:40:03 AM
A modern-day story with a lot of reality built in. It is amazing how modern technology like Skype has changed the relationship between families and those overseas. First there was a letter, sometimes arriving months later. And then, the long-distance telephone call. Often expensive and many times unable to get through. But now we have email and one-on-one computer linkage like Skype and others to make it complete.
My 93-year-old mother has an iPad that she can connect to my computer via FaceTime or Skype. Before that, she was an avid emailer with her computer. We communicated almost on a daily basis over 1200 miles. Three mini strokes and the loss of hearing have made it difficult for her to use such devices. Although she can go on Facebook to see family postings, she can't seem to use FaceTime at all without help. The good news is, she can call by her TTY phone, and did yesterday. Sometimes I can't understand what she is saying, but at least she could read what I was saying to her because it was transcribed.
Good story.
Ron
Mama went to War (Short Story) - 1/5/2018 2:39:10 AM
well written
Mama went to War (Short Story) - 1/4/2018 11:43:18 AM
Enjoyed this. You've captured the spirit, and personality, of your agonist very effectively. Well done. Peace... rlc
Beach at Night (Short Story) - 8/27/2017 1:30:46 AM
The beach is my favorite place in the whole world to be at any season. The rhythm of the waves seems to help me keep things in perspective as I sort out my thoughts.
Beach at Night (Short Story) - 8/26/2017 10:45:11 AM
Sounds like a magical time for you. I never had the opportunity as a child to visit a beach like that, day or night.
Always found the night a friendly place, especially when I spent a night out during my Order of the Arrow "ordeal" of eating only bread and water and having to stay out all night with just a blanket for comfort. We were told to be observant, so I reported what I saw and heard when I got back to my "torturers" in the morning. I told them about the squirrels that I heard still out and active in the dark either burying or digging up their favorite nuts.
When it came time for my naming of my Indian name, they pronounced me, Scared Rabbit. Had a hard time living that one down. ;-)
Ron
The Witch in Me (Short Story) - 8/18/2017 6:18:04 AM
Now that I know the witch in you, I think, where is the story?
Ron
Two Children's Poems (Poetry) - 2/22/2018 2:23:52 AM
Too funny! It takes imagination to come up with fun stuff. I liked the Animal Umbrella because of its creativity. Don't stop now. Let us hear more! John Michael
Two Children's Poems (Poetry) - 2/1/2018 11:15:56 AM
Adorable poems children could easily identify with.
Never forget the day the neighbor girl with chickenpox came over to play with my sister. I believe I let her in the house because she only had a few spots and was feeling quite good. I was 16 and it was a hot midsummer when I came down with a really bad case that left me with scars. That's why I've taken the shingles shot. Don't want to have chickenpox again in my second childhood. ;-)
Ron
Two Children's Poems (Poetry) - 1/31/2018 7:11:08 AM
Cute poems, I liked Chicken Pox the best.
Two Children's Poems (Poetry) - 1/31/2018 6:24:25 AM
Had to chuckle at both. The imagery would make good illustrations. I remember my Mother smearing oatmeal on me. )-: Enjoyed these. Good work. Peace... rlc
Unknown (this poem needs critiquing please) (Poetry) - 10/27/2017 7:10:40 AM
Hi. I like this***. It reminds me of a Japanese form called Haibun. You might have a natural proclivity for the form and not even know it. If you wrote a Haiku at the end of this, and did a small amount of balancing with the sentences, it would be a great Haibun. So... here's a bit of info to help (if you're interested). Haibun is a prosimetric literary form that originated in Japan. The term was first used by a 17th century Japanese Poet Matsuo Basho.
Haibun essentials:
Haibun relates a journey or experience
Is a combination of Prose and Haiku
The writing is sparse, tight,
With strong imagery,
It imparts a revelation.
"If a Haiku is an insight into a moment of experience, a Haibun is the story or narrative of how one came to have that experience.” Bruce Ross.
Below is an example of one of my Haibun's.
Silently Earth revolves. Sun descends. Spectrally nature shifts. Broadening shadows blanket dry October grasses. A vast landscape is slowly deprived of vividness. Subdued tones chalk out varying patterns.
During transition
A full array of colors
Diminish slowly
All the best to you... rlc
Unknown (this poem needs critiquing please) (Poetry) - 10/23/2017 5:42:27 AM
Thank you John for your review. The things you mentioned are in the book. I am mostly looking to see if this part flows well and gives the right amount of uncertainty to the reader as well as clarity. Basically it is a letter that tell someone that their is a body buried on their property.
Unknown (this poem needs critiquing please) (Poetry) - 10/23/2017 5:36:42 AM
Dear Ceili, You provided clues as to what you and perhaps others are going through. Questions remain: Did she die long ago or yesterday? How young? Was family left behind? Did she have goals that were unsung? What she a relative or a close friend? Would you like to go like here in the end? Tell it like it is or it was so the casual reader can understand a bit more clear. That will help us to understand more than just a glimpse of a clue, my friend. I am going to post a poem today about a Pastor Noel. He just passed away. I hope you can read and critique it as well sometime today.
Where is the Rat? (Poetry) - 8/28/2017 11:23:46 PM
Reminds me of the poem "Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Suess. Nice!
Where is the Rat? (Poetry) - 8/28/2017 7:01:18 AM
Drat. Like Michael [Jackson's Ben], I loved that rat. Weirdly cute.
Ron
Where is the Rat? (Poetry) - 8/26/2017 5:25:08 PM
Very cute, and another reason to like bats.
Lost Lines (Poetry) - 8/23/2017 6:48:48 AM
I use a digital recorder to keep my words from getting lost.
Lost Lines (Poetry) - 8/22/2017 9:58:12 AM
I relate. But I resolved that problem many years ago with a little hand-held digital recorder that I keep with me at all times. It's even on the night-stand when I sleep. Peace...r
Lost Lines (Poetry) - 8/22/2017 9:56:00 AM
I think you're too distracted. Something comes up and you lose that train of thought. If I have some good thoughts in my head, I usually can recall them when I need to, to write a poem, story or even a book.
Ron
Lost Lines (Poetry) - 8/22/2017 9:36:20 AM
Yup. I have enough lost words and lines to compose a brand new novel . . eh . . . But they are lost you see.
American Tornado (Poetry) - 8/18/2017 12:14:59 PM
Very descriptive with few words! Never been in a tornado but storms and hurricanes abound here in Florida.
American Tornado (Poetry) - 8/18/2017 6:26:43 AM
It's truly amazing the fury nature can unleash. I live in N.E. Ohio, and have witnessed the destruction of tornadoes that have hit our area. In a matter of seconds they can completely change the landscape. I have never actually seen one, but would love to be observe a tornado, but at a safe distance of course.
I give to thee (Poetry) - 8/17/2017 6:32:31 AM
Fantastic tribute to mothers🤠
I give to thee (Poetry) - 8/17/2017 6:01:35 AM
And you gave us a wonderful write expressing a mother's love.
I Write (Poetry) - 8/16/2017 11:41:02 AM
never stop writing.
