In Reply to: Hi Charlie! posted by Acheick on March 21, 2004 at 20:55:40:
We're fine. I'm working on my art, and am doing what I can to let my little light shine whenever and wherever. Fran has been able to successfully deal with the abuses from her past and lay it all to rest, and is now on to growing in grace, and I am thoroughly over the Fam and re - engaging with my family - I was disengaged during my time of coming out, but that was in the 90's. I have since been able to bale out of debt, build up a summer business that supports me enough to get through these winters (inclucing a trip to the Valley for a month), and work on some of that tightness that you say that you have with your kids. One thing is certain. All my blame, and all my rescuing, and all enabling is a thing of the past, and I am here for them now. That goes for my two kids that got tossed by the wayside when I forsook all too. Phew! Cult recovery - wasn't that a trip?
I'm teaching art (donated lessons) at the local art club - something I love, and something the students are loving too. I'm still fixing up the house; I've put down an oak lamanite flooring, re-insulated all the walls, and put in a good vapor barrier. I musta done a good job cause it feels damp in here (the vapor barrier keeps the moisture in) and my glasses fog up immediately upon coming in from the cold, so I guess I need a dehumidifier now. Fran is all gung ho into plants now, and I'm putting together a little greenhouse for her outside. She has this vision to transorm the front yard into a botanical garden complete with fencing, walkways, ponds, raised beds and whatever. Gawd, she's like a workhorse, and has such a passion for it. Me? The back yard is mine to with as I will, so, in summer, I fill the ditch out back with water, keep the grass trimmed, and let nature do her thing. That's pretty much it. The ditch draws the birds and I sit back and glass them through my binocs, write, draw, take photos etc... It won't be long and it'll be warm enough to paint outdoors. A canoe in the marsh with me in it, a canvas and a paint brush, and a bird migration in full swing, and oh my...