Ann - I love this story. It has a nice rhythm to it and is strangely relaxing as I sit here at the SF airport waiting to get on my plane. I look forward to reading more of your expert prose. btw, your daughter looks exactly like you!
rslux
· 1 year ago
The dynamics of managing and working with volunteers can be very touchy. People are there by choice, of their own free will, and are not being compensated for the work, so a lot of the "normal" power and dominance issues get sublimated.
That doesn't remove the need for things like someone making decisions, though.
Gavin Heaton
· 1 year ago
In Australia there is a group called the Country Women's Association. They do a lot of charity work in small towns, and in many places they hold the town together. However, when they get together for the annual festival and baking competition -- it can be fierce. Here are strong, independent and hearty women demonstrating their hard won mastery of often "forgotten" skills.
It may be tough when they are all together in one place, but when you need support, they are the ones you want in your corner.
Dusan
· 1 year ago
I can actually see the situation. You could make a movie based on this. :-) Anyway, from my experience, it's really the best to actually start asking a lot of questions at that time. Like "do you think it will really be filled with bacteria? Do you know of any way to keep it warm yet avoid ...?"...
Ah, we humans. Too complicated. :-)
Ami Chitwood
· 1 year ago
An interesting story - I volunteer at The Boston Living Center in the kitchen and usually wash the dishes (with this really cool automatic washer) - the dynamics of the volunteers, regular staff, and clients is always interesting - especially over proper procedure for putting dishes in the trays, how many times you put the trays through, whether you dry or not, etc....
you've definately captured components of this complex relationship. Love the name of your blog, too.
Carolyn Stigler
· 1 year ago
Great article as always Ann, I like the link from the badger quote too "you can't stop a badger from digging"...certainl y is a good reminder to let ourselves and others be what they are, dogs or people:).
Ann, you are a wonderful storyteller. I know you have been at this whole "writing thing" for awhile, but what's scary is that you haven't even hit your stride yet.
Mack Collier
· 1 year ago
"I shot a sideways glance at Fred. He seemed to be looking at something incredibly interesting on the ceiling."
LOL! Fred no doubt bought himself a 32-inch HDTV for the Super Bowl on the way home as a reward.
Ann Handley
· 1 year ago
Hi Aaron -- Thanks & glad this story gave you a respite from the SF airport! BTW -- the photo is me, not my daughter, circa 1966.
rslux - Great observation. You are right -- "a lot of the 'normal' power and dominance issues get sublimated" in that situation. Spot on.
Gavin -- Very true. These women were fundamentally strong and wonderful people -- but the dynamic was something else entirely.
Ann Handley
· 1 year ago
Dusan -- I might use that advice next time....
Ami -- Thanks.. and sounds like you've been there, too.
Carolyn -- I thought you'd like that quote!
Cam -- Thanks so much...really appreciate it. And Mack -- LOL... probably, poor dude.
Bethann
· 1 year ago
Alpha females.... I know a lot about them. My own example.... "Who makes the best datenut bread?" A discussion I never entered into. Ann, you know what I mean!
Ann Handley
· 1 year ago
Bethann -- Yes! I do.. LOL!
David Reich
· 1 year ago
Ann, since your first post, I've been checking your blog twice a day to see if there's a new post. Finally, here it is... and it was worth the wait. Thanks.
Beccy
· 1 year ago
Great piece Ann. keep it up. I love seeing how all the volunteer alpha females wrestle with this struggle for power while volunteering for church functions...let and let God...oh so hard to do...
Christian Gulliksen
· 1 year ago
Fred, Wilma, Betty...which makes you...Barney? I think Handley has a new nickname.
Bdot
· 1 year ago
Don't forget Dino
Romi
· 1 year ago
You are an incredible writer.
Never have I read through line after line with such suspense wondering if two soup kitchen ladies were going to throw down right there in the kitchen and fight to the death....I think you could write about paint drying and make it sound exciting, haha...good stuff :-)
Shelley
· 1 year ago
Hope this is just a warm-up exercise for your first novel, Annster... I, for one (of many!), will keep reading.
B.L Ochman
· 1 year ago
I'm with Shelley - you're on your way to a novel or at least a collection of short stories that'll unite your online and offline audience.
one of these days, pls tell us something about how the Internet is involved in your life, or how it has changed it.
Ann Handley
· 1 year ago
Thanks all... it scares me a little to think beyond this blog at the moment, but I so appreciate the vote of confidence.
And BL: no worries! I'll get to it!
Lynn McLoughlin
· 1 year ago
Loved reading your unique humor, I was able to visualize and hear you in that kitchen! I think your linking human life to canine life is the way to go...don't forget to add the dog's commentary! So proud of you! You go girl! Love Lynn
Jeanine Delay
· 1 year ago
Great story. Couldn't wait to see how it would turn out. So glad you've got this blog going and I agree with the others about the book. No pressure, of course! Not that I've been waiting 20 years or anything....GiGi
Anne Rendle
· 1 year ago
Ann, Thanks for that story! I've seen this situation pretty often but never could figure out exactly what was going on -- there was a big "aha" for me! Great blog!!!! Anne Rendle
Cass
· 5 months ago
Hi Ann! I just happened upon this post by chance today, and had to laugh out loud. I AM Betty and Wilma... oh dear.
Ask anyone who has ever volunteered with me; I need to run things, or gosh darn it, things just don't get run RIGHT.
All Comments
That doesn't remove the need for things like someone making decisions, though.
It may be tough when they are all together in one place, but when you need support, they are the ones you want in your corner.
Ah, we humans. Too complicated. :-)
you've definately captured components of this complex relationship. Love the name of your blog, too.
http://jkpstrange. blogspot. com/2006/ 06/eros-et- orca.html
LOL! Fred no doubt bought himself a 32-inch HDTV for the Super Bowl on the way home as a reward.
rslux - Great observation. You are right -- "a lot of the 'normal' power and dominance issues get sublimated" in that situation. Spot on.
Gavin -- Very true. These women were fundamentally strong and wonderful people -- but the dynamic was something else entirely.
Ami -- Thanks.. and sounds like you've been there, too.
Carolyn -- I thought you'd like that quote!
Cam -- Thanks so much...really appreciate it. And Mack -- LOL... probably, poor dude.
My own example.... "Who makes the best datenut bread?" A discussion I never entered into. Ann, you know what I mean!
Thanks.
Never have I read through line after line with such suspense wondering if two soup kitchen ladies were going to throw down right there in the kitchen and fight to the death....I think you could write about paint drying and make it sound exciting, haha...good stuff :-)
one of these days, pls tell us something about how the Internet is involved in your life, or how it has changed it.
And BL: no worries! I'll get to it!
So proud of you! You go girl!
Love
Lynn
Thanks for that story! I've seen this situation pretty often but never could figure out exactly what was going on -- there was a big "aha" for me! Great blog!!!!
Anne Rendle
Ask anyone who has ever volunteered with me; I need to run things, or gosh darn it, things just don't get run RIGHT.
Or, ask my kids.
Yikes.
Cass