You Get to Vote on a New TGB Feature
Wednesday, 01 August 2018
For eight-and-a-half years, from 2007 to 2015, I published a companion blog to this one called The Elder Storytelling Place [ESP].
On each of five days a week, there was a new story written by a reader and in total during that time, about 300 individuals delighted, entertained and informed us with somewhere in the vicinity of 2200 stories.
They are still online and you can browse them here.
ESP came to an end when I realized I needed to cut back on the seven-day work-week I had maintained since Time Goes By [TGB] launched in 2004. A short time later, I also stopped publishing TGB on Tuesdays and Thursdays to give myself some breathing space.
Nancy Leitz, who died last week at age 89, was a star contributor to ESP and as I scrolled through some of her stories while preparing the announcement for last Saturday's post, it struck me that on a limited basis maybe we could resurrect this feature.
Perhaps, I thought, we could use those two empty days, Tuesdays and Thursdays, for a mini-version of The Elder Storytelling Place – two stories a week.
Here is part of what I wrote at that blog about what ESP was for:
”Everyone loves a good story. Long before there was written language, cavemen told stories by firelight, passing on the lore of their tribes to the next generations. When we elders were children, our parents read stories to us.
“At family gatherings, grandparents and aunts and uncles retold the incidents and events of our family histories. And today, we continue the tradition with our children and grandchildren.
“Among Carl Jung’s seven tasks of aging is to find meaning in one’s life and one way to help in this task is to pull together, piece by piece, one’s memories – great and small – into a coherent storyline.
“In doing so, there is a natural shift of our attention inward, says Jung, leading to the removal of regret and to reconciliation. In telling our stories we not only fulfill Jung’s task for ourselves, we pass on the wisdom we have gained to those who listen or read.”
And here are some of the guidelines we used then and I would use again:
• Anyone who is age 50 or older may submit stories.
• You do not need to keep a blog or any other kind of website to submit stories.
• Stories may be original or may have been previously published in a magazine, other website or blog. To avoid this blog becoming a promotional tool for authors and publishers, stories may not be excerpts from published books.
• Of course, all stories must be written by you.
• Although Time Goes By is copyright by me, story contributors retain the copyright their their stories.
It seems to me that I should be able to prep two stories a week for publishing without burying myself in extra work. So if you are interested in bringing back ESP on this new, limited basis, let me know in the comments below (in the comments only; no email).
You can just type yes or no. Whichever gets the most votes will determine if I go ahead with this feature.
Because all that is a bit dry, for those of you read this far, here is an amusement for you from our friend Darlene Costner. It is called The Amazing Human Body and I have no idea if these facts are true. But just go with it and you'll be rewarded with a good laugh at the end):
It takes your food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
One human hair can support 6.6 pounds.
The average man's penis is two times the length of his thumb.
Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.
A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.
There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
Women blink twice as often as men.
The average person's skin weighs twice as much as their brain.
Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.
If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.
Women will be finished reading this by now.
Men are still busy checking their thumbs.
Don't forget to vote yes or no in the comments below.
Yes Yes
Loved the stories
Posted by: Estelle D | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 05:37 AM
Yes, please.
Posted by: Cecile Christensen | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 05:44 AM
I did not read the stories; but, that doesn't mean that they should not be brought back for those who enjoyed reading them. I know how to skip a posting - lol.
Posted by: Cop Car | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:05 AM
Yes, please. At the rate of only two a week, I might be able to keep up.
Posted by: Cam | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:06 AM
Yes, please. And thank you, thank you, thank you ... and all your contributors, whether readers who comment or posters.
Posted by: laura | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:07 AM
Yes
Posted by: Allen | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:08 AM
Yes! In 2014/2015 I contributed ten stories. They were written during a period of convalescence. When I was not able to do many normal activities, my personal goal of one story each month gave my days a purpose... beyond pt appointments. I enjoyed reading the stories but writing them and especially reading the comments were a high.
So ESP-2 readers... if Ronni does resurrect this blog... please remember to comment. It makes the writer's day.
And with that in mind... YEA DARLENE!
Posted by: Trudi | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:13 AM
Yes --- great idea -- it will give those of us who visit your site every day something to read on Tuesdays and Thursdays!!
Posted by: victoria | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:21 AM
Yes - missed it before and would love to take part in it again, as well as read other seniors' stories. Thank you for thinking of making it a "comeback."
Posted by: Regina (originally fr NY; now in ME) | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:24 AM
Yes
Posted by: Wendl | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:27 AM
What a wonderful idea, so YES.
Posted by: Janet | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:31 AM
Yes.
Still can't find that dang tape measure. Do I include the metacarpal bone?
Posted by: John B | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:34 AM
Yes, Please!
Posted by: Marilyn | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:39 AM
Resounding Yes.
Posted by: Barb Rogers | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:49 AM
Yes.
Thanks for a morning grin, Darlene. You know how it's mentioned that men will often "steal a glance" at woman's breasts? Well now....
Posted by: Simone | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:06 AM
Yes, please. I'm trying to go back and read some of the old stories.
Posted by: Nancy Laird | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:42 AM
Yes, please!
Posted by: Midori Barstow | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:43 AM
Yes, please.
Posted by: Daniel B. Martin | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:46 AM
Yes!
Posted by: Lynn Gorton | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:47 AM
How many times can I type 'yes'?!!!
Posted by: Marcia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:48 AM
Sure, bring it on!
Posted by: Salinda Dahl | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:49 AM
Yes.
Posted by: Diane Darrow | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:49 AM
Yes. Please.
Posted by: Jill Lynch | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:50 AM
Yes!
Posted by: Mary | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:52 AM
It looks like the Yeas have it. Add mine to the list.
Posted by: Darlene | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:53 AM
That would be lovely! I've missed the stories. Really hope it's not too much work for you.
And thanks for the morning chuckle Darlene!!
Posted by: Donna | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:54 AM
Yes, please.
Posted by: Richard Rodrigue | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:55 AM
Yes! Yes, please!
Posted by: Hanspeter Spörri | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:55 AM
Yes. Brilliant idea.
Posted by: Odette | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:57 AM
I’d say the “ ayes” have it!
If you’re up to the task of prepping the stories I’m certainly up for enjoying them. So Yes- and Thank you!
Posted by: Lola | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:58 AM
Yes.
You might want to start at one, however. Just thinking of you.
Posted by: Mary McCarthy | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:01 AM
Yes please
Posted by: Tory Sullivan | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:01 AM
Yes please
Posted by: HELENE WINEBERG | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:02 AM
Yes!
Posted by: Gen C. | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:02 AM
Yes. Thank you.
Posted by: dkzody | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:02 AM
Yes, please & thanks for the laugh, Darlene.
Posted by: Mary Evans Young | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:05 AM
yes
Posted by: Jackie | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:09 AM
Yes please!
Posted by: Celia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:12 AM
Yes
Posted by: Bob | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:13 AM
Yes, but how about once a week. Keep the load lite.
Posted by: Mage Bailey | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:19 AM
Yes.
Posted by: Barbara H | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:21 AM
Yes!
Posted by: Gaga Cheri | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:23 AM
Yes, yes, yes! I have missed it so much. Now I will have the incentive back to edit and try to perfect my weekly writings--missing for a while! Thank you SO MUCH!
Posted by: Lyn Burnstine | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:28 AM
Yes, wonderful idea.
Posted by: Dixie | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:29 AM
You are going to be inundated. But I still vote yes.
Posted by: Nancy Dutro | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:31 AM
Yes, thanks for offering!
Posted by: Nancy Hutto | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:35 AM
I have stories on ESP so I vote YES!
Posted by: Kay R. | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:40 AM
YES, and BTW....Thumbs up. Both of them.
Posted by: Bruce Cooper | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:44 AM
Only if you feel up to it. You might find that one a week is enough. As Mom would have said, don't bite off more than you can chew.
Posted by: Susan R (Pied Type) | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:46 AM
Yes and yes.
Posted by: Pat C. | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:52 AM
Yes
Posted by: Marie | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:57 AM
Yes! A fine way for individual elder voices to be heard.
Posted by: Georgia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:58 AM
Yea
Posted by: TheaT | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:05 AM
Love the idea. I don't see any dissenters here!
Posted by: Jean Gogolin | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:22 AM
Yes, yes, yes!
Posted by: Rachel E | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:24 AM
Yes, indeed!
Posted by: Diana | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:29 AM
Yes, please! And thank you!
Posted by: Linda | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:32 AM
Thank you, Darlene, I did indeed laugh!
and YES. Think it is a great idea to devote time to stories.
Posted by: Ruth-Ellen B. Joeres | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:35 AM
Yes, yes. I have many stories. I love reading true stories.
Posted by: Merna Zimmerman | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:46 AM
Ditto CopCar. I don't get much out of these stories but I can easily skip the posts. Would rather see your energy spent on something else tho.
Posted by: Bert | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:52 AM
Yes, please!
Posted by: Thom Downey | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:57 AM
Yes, please.
Posted by: Rob Marshall | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:59 AM
yes ... still laughing at the last line. Will have to share this with my daughter!
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:03 AM
Yes please
Posted by: Becky Montgomery | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:15 AM
A sea of yeses!
Posted by: Claudia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:15 AM
Yes!
Posted by: Barbara | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:27 AM
Yes
Posted by: Patricia Edie | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:30 AM
Yes
Posted by: Ruth M | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:35 AM
Yes please.
Thanks Darlene.
Posted by: Diana H | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:56 AM
Yes please - but don't overburden yourself, start with one a week.
Posted by: Carla Bowman-Vaughan | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 10:57 AM
Yes! Yes! I vote for "one a week" for starters . The last thing any of us want is for it to become a chore. You should find as much pleasure in the new feature as we do. Ann
Posted by: Ann Burack-Weiss | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:12 AM
Yes! (and Thank You!)
Posted by: Steve Stroh | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:24 AM
YES, and thank you for letting us weigh in on this...
Posted by: Mike Russo | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:25 AM
It seems redundant to add another resounding YES but YES it is.
The stories were what brought me to TGB years before I began commenting I was a lurker reader who came for the wonderful stories.
Posted by: Elle in Oregon | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:33 AM
6yrs indeedy....I got a few.
Posted by: Jean Shriver | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:48 AM
Being a newbie I am not familiar with the Blog. It sounds interesting...so Yes
Posted by: Willie | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:52 AM
Yes, if you don't get overwhelmed.
Posted by: Mary | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 11:54 AM
Yes! I always enjoyed reading the personal stories.
Posted by: Barbara | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 12:07 PM
Yes please!
Posted by: Cynthia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 12:37 PM
Yes
Posted by: Shirley Thompson | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 12:42 PM
Yes!
Posted by: Kate R | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 12:57 PM
Yes please!
Posted by: Kathy Tulip | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 01:23 PM
Yes, please.
Posted by: Nancy Rocker | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 01:34 PM
No.
Just kidding! Of course yes - and thank you!
Posted by: Carol Roupenian | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 01:44 PM
I love reading stories, so I vote yes!
Posted by: Cathy Johnson | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 01:48 PM
Yes, definitely, but I might agree with Mage--once per week just to keep the load light and "see what happens" (to quote the eminently unquotable current--and I SO hope temporary--occupant of the Oval Office).
Posted by: Elizabeth Rogers | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 02:29 PM
Yes, but... With more than 80 yesses already, many of whom seem to be ready to go with stories, I have a feeling you are going to be overwhelmed with submissions. But it’s your blog. You can change your mind again if or when you want to you. I look forward to reading the stories.
Posted by: Emma Jay | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 03:02 PM
Yes, good idea! I visited sporadically— wrote a couple or so stories — others wrote more really good tales than I had time to read, but could always go back anytime which I have — even years later. Trust you’ll wisely know your limits.
Posted by: joared | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 03:22 PM
Yes, sounds good!
Posted by: officerripley | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 04:34 PM
yes! Yes! YES!
and Thanks!
Posted by: Dona Walling | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 05:00 PM
Yes, once a week, please. You may want to think about doing it in the winter only—since we all have more time to read then, and it’s the traditional time for storytelling.
Posted by: Linda | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 05:03 PM
Big yes!
Posted by: Charlotte Dahl | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 05:42 PM
Yes, please!
Posted by: Cristina Margarita | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 05:52 PM
Absolutely YES and I will definitely contribute again. I loved this feature .
XO
WWW
Posted by: Wisewebwoman | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:33 PM
Yes
So enjoyed the former blog
Posted by: DalynnT Proffitt | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:38 PM
Excellent idea!
Posted by: Perspective | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 06:42 PM
Yes!!❤
Posted by: Vickie Supenia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 07:39 PM
You hardly need my yes to make it unanimus
Posted by: Niki Sebastian | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:10 PM
Yes!
I do think once a week would be the way to start. Weekly features are fun. You have two here already: Saturdays here are rich with Interesting Stuff. On Sundays I can always count on learning something about music.
I'd love it if I could also look forward to Teller Tuesdays!
And, you know... if you have the energy for more, that would leave Thursdays open for your next brilliant idea!
Posted by: Sylvia | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 08:31 PM
Yes, please!
Posted by: Jenn | Wednesday, 01 August 2018 at 09:08 PM