For this piece, I used two characters from my novel, but it's not an excerpt. It was inspired by an actual tomato plant in a large hanging cage. Similar to the one shown . . . but bigger and . . . well . . . slightly demonic looking. The Tomato Plant As promised to … Continue reading The Tomato Plant [Extended Version]
Category: Drug / Alcohol Addiction
Writings for the recovering addict, and the addict not yet recovering.
I've written about this subject a few times. Without any doubt, this is how it works, and it all starts during childhood. Small hills eventually prepare us for mountains. Mountains prepare us for more mountains. One way or another, everyone's life can be challenging at times. Everyone experiences a loss to some extent. We all … Continue reading Everything We Survive Prepares Us For Life. Break The Cycle of Pain.
Most of us have experienced the frustration associated with standing in line, waiting to return something at a customer service counter. Even if the line is short, the employee assigned to help you may have treated you in a less than respectful fashion. Why are you being treated poorly? Depending on their hiring and training … Continue reading Shoplifting, Gift Cards, Facebook Marketplace, And Organized Retail Crime.
It's not been easy to write the past few months. I've been working from 4 AM to 3 or 4 PM Monday through Friday. On top of that, I'm going through something challenging physically. Once again, I will have to climb another mountain. Hey, what's one more mountain, right? Following four years of on and … Continue reading Preparing To Publish The First Book of The Series
Happy Easter, everyone! God Bless! Joseph Shanklin April, 2023
Re-Posted from December, 2021. The following was copied from my column. I write for a treatment newsletter in Colorado. Close your eyes and allow your mind to scroll back to the past, back to the world of drugs and crime. Whether last month or last year, let's journey back to the inescapable emptiness of getting … Continue reading Acquiesce To Recovery
"So, what did the doctor tell you this morning," he asked his wife, struggling to hide an ugly scowl on his thin, dark features. A sudden wave of sadness filled her mind as a single tear tried to fall from one tired eye, but didn't. The room seemed unnaturally quiet as the woman prepared to … Continue reading Causing Pain, That Other, Ugly Coping Skill
I want to take a few minutes to say "Good Morning" to those individuals who've struggled with loved ones addicted to drugs or alcohol. The people who have the love and patience to stand by the addicts' side throughout their battle with addiction. So often, we (bloggers) write about the pain and suffering of the … Continue reading Good Morning To Anyone Damaged By Those Who Are Damaged!
Pictured: Fishing with my Son. Following twelve months of planning and preparation, I moved to Texas three weeks ago. Following more than 30 years of Denver residency, I didn't hesitate to surrender my Colorado Driver's License for a Texas Driver's License. That's right, I have become a Texan. I already have my Texas Fishing License … Continue reading It’s Official . . . I’m A Texan! Re-Posted From January, Last Year.
"When you consider the pain you cause a person to be that person's fault, that's evil." Highly Recommended! Joseph Shanklin August 12, 2022
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