Robb F.'s Comments

Garden Container Ideas - Pregnant Onion Club by Mariana T.

Feb 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27

Robb F. Feb 19, 2009, 5:21pm EST

Hi Cher,
Maybe since I am going to be back out in the country, I may do some gardening. However, it will be difficult to keep the deer out.

Fragile by Faith H.

Jun 27, 2008 | comments: 39

Robb F. Feb 18, 2009, 10:30pm EST

I am happy that I looked back at your posts to find this one.

When your mother wore housecoats - 2 - Domestic Violence by Kathryn E.

Feb 12, 2009 | comments: 61

Robb F. Feb 12, 2009, 6:19pm EST

Excellent Piece. Boldy written and the juxtaposition of good and bad through the generations is an excellent device.

After reading the comments above mine, I realized I may have read this piece from a different perspective than some of the others. If this is the case, the angle from which I read did not diminish my response. If anything, it may have increased my appreciation of your writing, as well as a heightened response and deeper personal interpretation of this piece. (I would like to clarify my reading may have been from a "different perspective" and in no way do I presume it to be a superior or even an equal perspective/interpretation than that of any other reader.)

While your focus on "domestic violence," is clear, as I read this piece, it evoked a sense that your words and overall focus were much broader and far-reaching for the individual reader as they experience the dynamics of societal change during "good and bad" times through the generations.

Read in that sense, I did not feel that I was being asked to compare the absence, pervasiveness, or range of domestic violence in the home of my youth with the scenes presented. I suppose I read the piece with the idea that, it is a "given" that behind the front door of every home, even as time and society move onward, family dynamics shape the response to both "good and bad" times.

Behind each door, the pain experienced is subjective and its "source" may be unique or, in some way, different for each of us. As I read, without concious intent, I somehow assumed "domestic violence" to be metaphorical and interchangable with the "source" of pain behind my front door and its effect on me as time progressed and society, as a whole, moved forward.

In addition to reading through this lens, my own understanding of pain, whether physical or emotional is that its intensity and duration are unique to each of us. As I once read, though I cannot recall the source, "the "worst" pain that any of us can suffer is "our own." Thus, any comparison of my worst "pain" with anyone else's does not produce any type of useful result.

(Ramble, Ramble) Obviously, I may have read much more broadly than you intended (which I struggled to even poorly explain.) Nonetheless, it touched me profoundly. I envisioned a meaning that was not about measuring what happened in my (or any other reader's) experience during "bad times" with those presented in this piece.

In my "broader (?)" reading, your words, tone, and device spoke to my individual experience of joy and pain through the progression of time and societal change. I would be at risk of making a huge and presumptuous mistake comparing my experience with that of anyone else through those same changes. I could site several factors which make such comparisons useless. One example, as some above have noted, the seemingly positive changes in our society have done much to recognize, prevent, minimize, and provide relief for domestic abuse. However, the mistake would be, in assuming society's progress has knocked and has been invited through each and every front door. Another example that illustrates the danger of attempting to compare our experiences, is the mistaken assumption that the absense of "domestic violence" in someone else's home (eliminated by the "progress" made in our society) prevented their suffering just as much or more pain during "bad times." It may very well be that, the stress and strain on families during such times inflicts its venom through a different snake, such as an addicted parent, unavailabilty of parents, mental abuse, etc.

Thus, my unintentional reading perspective, as I took in your words, may have led me in a different, but very powerful, direction than you intended. One in which the pain may be arise from a different source and the term "domestic violence" was a metaphor for what may be occuring behind each closed door in our society and that the passage of time may have changed outward appearances, but, in far too many instances, even "good times" may be painful, but "bad times" exponentiate both its frequency and severity.

Maybe I should have simply written...Nice Piece...but I am finished now.

Update on us, on everything!!! Kinda long, so get ready! by Stephanie, proud Maw-Maw to my 2 granddaughters, G

Feb 11, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 30

Robb F. Feb 11, 2009, 11:23pm EST

Girl,
I still don't know how you can handle it all. I haven't been around much because, in recent months, my life has been much like your's sounds here...but the kicker is that it will not be just the parades "rolling" during carnival season. I was blind-sided a few weeks ago when my West Bank bride informed me that "she couldn't put up with me anymore" in a very unemotional tone. So it seems I will be "rolling" out of NOLA permanently.

Hope things get better for you guys, Robb

A Photo by Robb F.

Apr 8, 2007 | rating: 10 | comments: 9

Robb F. Feb 9, 2009, 2:20pm EST

No Molly,
Thank you for remaining my Gather friend in spite of my inability to spend much time on the site these days.

ANYBODY WORK FOR A HOSPICE???............. by ''The One & Only BERF" ..

Feb 3, 2009 | comments: 23

Robb F. Feb 9, 2009, 12:38am EST

I currently work for a Hospice Agency as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I've worked in many other areas of social worker and I am a "counselor" at heart. I became interested in Hospice work while working in case management at a nearby hospital. In that position, I would do the foot and paperwork when a doctor would refer a patient for Hospice Care. In arranging these referrals I would often have the opportunity to chat with the Hospice Rep that would come to meet with the patient and family. I was intrigued to hear each and everyone of them say something very close to what Tammie P. noted above. Each indicated that they never imagined they would ever be doing Hospice work, but once they began doing Hospice work they could never imagine doing anything else.

Perhaps it does take a "different" type of person to this work, but I do not feel "special." I actually feel blessed that I am allowed to be a part of each patient's final and, therefore, very special stage of life. It is a time when things shallow give way to a depth among all involved that is seldom experienced at any other time.

Just to let you know, (from your original post) I worked as a professional firefighter for fifteen years...

A Photo by Robb F.

Jun 19, 2007 | rating: 10 | comments: 13

Robb F. Feb 8, 2009, 11:17pm EST

Hi Elizabeth,
Perhaps you are correct, but we both kept a wary eye on each other. We saw this same gator several times over that summer when we went crabbing to the same spot. We were definitely "the visitors."

Dances With Flames (Edited) by Robb F.

Jan 29, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 10

Robb F. Feb 8, 2009, 11:14pm EST

Thanks Elizabeth,
I know you are right. I just haven't gotten out of dark enough to see that "my future has been set free.

Regrets Only by Faith H.

Jan 25, 2009 | rating: 9.4 | comments: 20

Robb F. Feb 4, 2009, 3:45pm EST

Faith,
I'm sorry I am late reading another one of your stirring, evocative poems. I hope you understand. I also took the time to read the comments left by others on this poem as well as some of the others you have posted. Are you still hiding under the covers for fear that your "reaching out" from your soul may have connected with "nothing." I really hope that your above comment was just a reply and isn't really the case. I can't be sure....but if it is, simply return and read the comments on the last half dozen poems you've posted to see what other are telling you. Its time to start thinking about putting these prizes on back to back pages with titles on the top and page numbers on the bottom and sandwich them between two beautifully designed covers sporting an evocative title with "Faith" as the first name of their creator.

Resurrection Sunday: Gulf Coast Reverie by Faith H.

Jan 11, 2009 | rating: 9.3 | comments: 40

Robb F. Feb 4, 2009, 3:32pm EST

Wow...this nearly brought tears to my eyes. It was the last line that stopped them..."the map back to you." Not because it is not beautiful and fitting for the "connection" you were making with the readers. However, we both know I was reading it from where I now stand...and the map leading through the unknowns and the pain, towards a new start is the one I need. Nonetheless, it is still beautiful poetry...why shouldn't it be...you composed it and I don't believe I've read any of yours that has been less than great.

Why She Is The Cutest Baby In The World by Faith H.

Jan 6, 2009 | rating: 9.4 | comments: 45

Robb F. Feb 4, 2009, 3:25pm EST

Yes, Truly beautiful. You have much to be proud of...and excited about1

Dances With Flames (Edited) by Robb F.

Jan 29, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 10

Robb F. Feb 4, 2009, 3:18pm EST

Thank you Ms. Faith

Dances With Flames (Edited) by Robb F.

Jan 29, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 10

Robb F. Feb 4, 2009, 3:16am EST

Hi Ms Faith,
Thanks for reading again. Thank you for hoping, but I suppose it goes without saying that it so much easier to edit the connection of words, than to edit ones connection with the world. Calm and steady its not. The "not knowing" is the most difficult aspect.

Dances With Flames (Edited) by Robb F.

Jan 29, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 10

Robb F. Jan 29, 2009, 11:52am EST

Faith, Kathryn,, and Marilyn,
Thanks to each of you for taking time to R&C. I don't know if I will be posting again soon or not. I don't know who will take possession of the computer or if I will be able to afford internet service. There certainly isn't anything like "Starbucks" with free wi-fi anywhere near where I will probably be staying at some point in the future.

Self-Reflection: My Feelings As I Face 2009 by Robb F.

Jan 5, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 11

Robb F. Jan 20, 2009, 9:48pm EST

That's nice of you to say Dear Lady..........perhaps soon I will migrate from sucky to succulent.

Self-Reflection: My Feelings As I Face 2009 by Robb F.

Jan 5, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 11

Robb F. Jan 20, 2009, 9:30pm EST

Thanks Cher,
There seems to be something new everyday.

Hurricane, Heat, Hurt, & Confessions by Robb F.

Sep 4, 2008 | rating: 10 | comments: 26

Robb F. Jan 20, 2009, 9:28pm EST

Hi Cher,
There is so much that I could tell you that has changed in my life....a "life hurricane" I suppose.

A cajun wedding reception should enlighten quite a few Gatherites about how to "pass a good time."

What I miss about the South by Tamara L~will view, may comment~ S.

Jan 18, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 17

Robb F. Jan 20, 2009, 9:11pm EST

I have never lived anywhere else but the South. I would sure love to visit many places I have yet to see...but moving has never crossed my mind.

Looking Back to This Summer in Louisiana by Mariana T.

Jan 18, 2009 | length: 03:09 | rating: 10 | comments: 14

Robb F. Jan 20, 2009, 9:07pm EST

Hi Cher,
Nice Video...I can testify that "Coach" seems to be the epitome of all the folks of that area who love to "pass a good time." I sure like his choice of shirts as well...

Hurricane, Heat, Hurt, & Confessions by Robb F.

Sep 4, 2008 | rating: 10 | comments: 26

Robb F. Jan 20, 2009, 8:33pm EST

Thank you Kathryn