Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Mom's Powers of Persuasion

                                                           
   
Welcome to the March edition of The Insecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit Alex J. Cavanaugh and all of the talented writers who are always willing to offer their support.
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Positivity, Confidence, Empathy, Active Listening, Conscientiousness, Willingness To Compromise, Comfort With Silence, Authenticity and Flexibility, are "9 Personality Traits of the Most Persuasive People," according to a Feb. 13 article in Inc. Magazine.

When it comes to my mom, we can definitely scratch Compromise and Flexibility off the list. Once when a neighbor in the nursing home dropped by, my mom wouldn't see her, because she didn't have an appointment.

While on the outside my perfectly coiffed mom looks almost docile at first glance, inside lurks the mind of a hunter out to tame even the wildest beast in the habitat. But in her case the habitat is comprised of a temperamental hairdresser, disagreeable tablemates, and over-worked nurse's aides.

My brother is constantly testing my mom's memory by asking her about current events and TV actors. If she stumbles on a name of a character from one of her favorite old movies, he immediately starts to panic. Sadly, he doesn't realize that she has more important things on her mind.

One night after dinner my mom called one of the nurse's aides over to her table. The only thing that I remembered about this woman was that she always looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. But on this particular night not only was this woman smiling, but when my mom asked her to sing, she sang a happy little tune for the whole table.

Later when we were back in the "privacy" of my mom's room: "What's wrong with you? They don't give you any privacy here. There aren't even locks on the doors."

"Mom, that's for your own protection. What if there's an emergency and they need to get into your room quickly?"

"Well, I don't care about that."

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I was dying to know my mom's secret for turning that crabby nurse's aide into a Stepford Wife.

She just looked at me innocently and explained that she had a little talk with her.

Last weekend my husband and I saw the movie Get Out, and the mother in the movie is able to hypnotize her daughter's boyfriend by stirring a spoon in a tea cup. I will no longer drink hot tea with my mom.


40 comments:

  1. Funny about not drinking tea with your mom. So awesome how close you are to her.

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  2. Yeah, sounds like your mother has some scary powers there.

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  3. Your last line made me laugh out loud!

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  4. LOL! I think sometimes it really does just boil down to talking. Most conflicts can be settled with a soft voice and understanding.

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  5. Hi Julie - oh gosh ... you and your mother ... but she has character and an interest in life - much more important to keep her brain going ... loved this Julie - thanks and cheers Hilary

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  6. I love that no more tea line. Sounds like a wise move.

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  8. Definitely a good idea not to drink hot tea with her. She might just hypnotise you! But on the bright side, she seems like a really great lady to have been spawned from. I adored the anecdote. Thank you.

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  9. If you are ever asked the question, "Who is the most memorable character you have ever met?" you won't have to hesitate.

    Best to stick to bottled water.

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  10. Oh, you don't have to worry about your mom hypnotizing you, silly. Why should she? She already has you under her spell in other ways. :)

    As always, I loved your story about your mom. I hope all is going well with you.

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  11. Your mom sounds like quite a character!

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  12. Natalie - I better not take any chances! Thanks Natalie!

    Alex - She would definitely make a good sharp-witted sci-fi villain! Thanks for hosting another great IWSG, Alex!

    Debra - Thanks for making my day, Debra!

    Crystal - If only I had realized that a long time ago. It also helps that my mom could easily bring people - Ok at least one person - to tears with a look! Thanks Crystal!

    Julie

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  13. Hi Hilary! Yes, my mom is good about turning lemons into lemonade, and she loves when I write about her adventures! Thanks Hilary!

    LD - My mom has been collecting some sharp objects lately, so I'd rather play it safe. Thanks LD!

    Jono - I do come up with those on occasion! Thanks Jono!

    Nicohle - I can't wait to read your comment to my mom! She will love it! Thank you!

    Julie

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  14. Arleen - Oh my mom will flip when I tell her that you said she was "the most memorable character I ever met!" She would be thrilled if I had a news column entirely devoted to her! Good tip about the bottled water! Thanks Arleen!

    Hi Susan! So sad but true! Are you sure you've never met? Gosh, I miss you! Thanks Susan!

    Tamara - Yes, she is quite a character and always provides plenty of fodder! Thanks Tamara!

    Julie

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  15. GEM JULIE ~
    Can't see her without an appointment; changes a crabby nurse's aide's attitude with just "a little talk".

    Apparently, your Mom is the DONna CORLEONE of the nursing home. Ha!

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  16. She had a little talk with her--haha! I can't help but wonder how that conversation went. Have a nice weekend, Julie!

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  17. Your mom is one powerful mysterious woman. I wonder how to be like her. :D

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  18. Your mother sounds epic :)

    I wish you a wonderful weekend :)

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  19. Stephen- Donna Corleone describes her perfectly! I'm sure she'll be asking me for a favor very soon! Glad you appreciated the "appointment" line! Thanks for the laughs, Stephen!

    Connie - She loves to be mysterious that way! Thanks Connie and hope that you have a great weekend too!

    Lux - My mom will be thrilled to hear that you'd like to be like her, and I'm sure she'd enjoy training you! Thanks Lux!

    Keith - Yes, my mom is "epic," and she will get a kick out of hearing that! Thanks Keith and I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!

    Julie

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  20. As usual, your Mom stories are fabulous and they capture those unique moments only elders can give us.

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  21. Thanks for sharing. Mothers are great aren't they. It's a shame to see them age! Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  22. Lee - Yes, my mom has definitely provided me with many "unique moments!" Thank you, Lee!

    Andrew - It is a shame to watch our mother's age, but I'm lucky that my mom still has a great sense of humor. Thanks Andrew!

    Julie

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  23. I love reading these stories about your mom. They always make me smile. I can imagine her little talk :)

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    1. Hi Carol, If only I could install a Nanny-cam in her room to find out the real story! On second thought, maybe I'm better off not knowing. Thanks Carol!

      Julie

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  24. You are a kind and compassionate woman. Your mother is/was lucky to have you and your brother.

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    1. Hi Susan, It's so nice to hear from you! I appreciate your kind words more than you know. Thank you!

      Julie

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  25. I LOVE these stories... and think that you've already been 'bewitched' by your mom! Done and dusted! In a positive way, of course! LOL
    Julie, I hope to read all your 'mom' stories in a collection one day.
    *waving*

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    1. Hi Michelle! Yes, the spell has probably been cast! Thanks for your kind words and I would like to write a collection of 'mom' stories one day. I would love to read a collection of your favorite stories and five sentence fiction pieces.

      Julie

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  26. I absolutely love these stories about your mom, but having read this, I only have one thing to say.

    Please tell me that's how you introduce her to everyone - "This is my perfectly coiffed mom."

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  27. Sounds like some unique persuasive powers at hand. Maybe your Mom should go for a stint in Vegas with a comedy hypnotist act.

    As I was reading I kept thinking how much I miss my Mom. Mothers can be so cool.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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  28. Beer Boys - Her perfectly coiffed hair speaks for itself. Recently when the weather forecast was for heavy storms, my mom's only concern was that her beautician might not be able to make the trip to see her. Thanks Bryan & Brandon!

    Lee - My mom would be a great comedy hypnotist! I know how lucky I am to still have my mom. I'm so sorry that you lost your mom a few years ago. It's good to see you, Lee! Thank you!

    Julie

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  29. I feel the same way about my mom haha. Thanks for sharing!


    www.ficklemillennial.com

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  30. Sounds to me like she can teach me a trick or two. I'm curious about that little talk. "inside lurks the mind of a hunter out to tame even the wildest beast in the habitat." Excellent sentence.

    Hope you're doing fine :)

    Blue

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  31. Thanks Gia!

    Blue - If my mom ever reveals her secrets, I'll write them in part II. Thanks Blue!

    Julie

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  32. After a certain age I see no reason to compromise or be flexible. Mom's have done and been both their whole lives. Now others can accommodate them--I'm practicing non-compromise and inon-flexibility for when it's my time.

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