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51 minutes?

tcr! · Aug 14, 2021 at 8:32 am

Selfie with sunrays

Looking for things to do on this fine sunny Saturday in August and I found a record collector show in Orland Park. I enjoy vinyl records but where the hell is Orland Park?

51 minutes away I see. 51 minutes? I can’t drive 51 minutes to go somewhere. By myself? In this weather? Forget it.

But all is not lost. Windy Acres Farm is having a blueberry festival today and it’s only 11 minutes from my house. I can do 11 minutes.

In related news… when I’m not a driving force in life I end up riding in the backseat of someone else’s car.

#photos #lettherebehope #blueberries

11 comments

Momma J Momma J · Aug 14, 2021 at 10:45 am

Blueberries - so delicious. And a good reason to get out of the house!!

tcr! tcr! · Aug 14, 2021 at 11:22 am

I’m headed to blueberryville now πŸ‘

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Laurie · Aug 14, 2021 at 11:26 am

I have missed your posts!

tcr! tcr! · Aug 14, 2021 at 11:23 am

Aww, thanks!

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flood · Aug 14, 2021 at 2:30 pm

Love hearing you think out loud! And yes, 51 minute drive way too far on a beautiful day.

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schimmel · Aug 14, 2021 at 4:16 pm

today?! depending on your report, might have to wander down the street and check it out…

tcr! tcr! · Aug 15, 2021 at 8:58 am

Definitely worth checking out! Even more so if you like blueberries and ice cream.

blueberries and ice cream

schimmel · Aug 15, 2021 at 1:00 pm

🀩

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Claudio · Aug 14, 2021 at 6:48 pm

Holy rays

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edox edox · Aug 14, 2021 at 7:57 pm

We went over 51 miles to see a ghost town today. Here is a sample of what was seen.

51 miles to see a ghost town

tcr! tcr! · Aug 15, 2021 at 9:03 am

Way cool! I might very well drive 51 miles to see a ghost town, too. I suspect the buildings were off limits though. πŸ€”

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Take solace in knowing they’re there

tcr! · Jul 21, 2021 at 9:44 pm

When I got to be around 14 or so I started hanging out in my dad’s basement whenever I was at his house. I watched tv down there, smoked cigarettes, and was up to all around mischief. I intentionally set the basement carpet on fire with hairspray more than twice.

When my dad was home I still hung out in the basement though. It wasn’t anything personal against him. It was more that I felt like I could be myself when I was in the basement.

Read more →

13 comments

sveagrabarek · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:10 pm

I saw the dude for the first time since October this past weekend. Sunday we just hung out. He took a nap in his room. The greatest comfort I’ve ever had was just knowing he was near. We don’t have a basement, but your story resonated in my heart.

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edox edox · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:11 pm

Bike rides with your kids are great. My youngest daughter and I try to ride around the neighborhood a couple nights a week. We find so much great free stuff at times to. She now has her driver’s licence but still rides with me.

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thewattsolak · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:15 pm

Our 14 year old barely emerges from his room. But every few weeks he’ll ask to go on a drive at night and we’ll blast music and drive country roads for an hour, just the two of us. I’m glad he has his own thing but still let’s me in once in a while.

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Sammons · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:22 pm

Our boys never had a basement to go to.

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Waggs · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:32 pm

This story is the makings of a great song.

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DeVoe · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:38 pm

I did the same thing. Moved down into the basement as a teenager! Needed my own space, I thought

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Momma J Momma J · Jul 21, 2021 at 10:57 pm

I am learning so much about you! ❀️

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DP · Jul 21, 2021 at 11:01 pm

My kids 14 and he’s definitely getting weirder. He’s never living in my basement.

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kari · Jul 22, 2021 at 6:25 am

Yes, I remember the basement!!

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flood · Jul 22, 2021 at 7:25 am

with you… learning to let go is hard!

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Aunt Alice · Jul 22, 2021 at 10:23 am

Sounds a lot like Stephten’s 12 and 14 yr olds! Only come out to eat or aggravate the little ones! 🀣

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elaineorr · Jul 23, 2021 at 8:53 pm

Great piece.

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mitch mitch · Jul 24, 2021 at 4:32 pm

❀️

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Aug 24th, 2020 at 1:54:13 pm

tcr! · Aug 24, 2020 at 1:54 pm

One of my biggest prayers in life is…

I’m trying here, god.

πŸ™ #lettherebehope

3 comments

Momma J Momma J · Aug 24, 2020 at 1:59 pm

Everything OK?

tcr! tcr! · Aug 24, 2020 at 2:08 pm

Yeah. I just screwed up something at work, and now I’m fixing it with the hope that I don’t screw it up again 😊

Momma J Momma J · Aug 24, 2020 at 2:08 pm

β€οΈπŸ™

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AA Grapevine September 2020 issue

tcr! · Aug 21, 2020 at 5:52 pm

This is pretty cool! My first with anything ever in the AA Grapevine…

AA Grapevine September 2020 1 AA Grapevine September 2020 2 AA Grapevine September 2020 3

They didn’t even change much other than the title. 😎 Pages 57-60 if you’re interested.

← Previously#photos #alcoholism #writtenword #lettherebehope

24 comments

JJania · Aug 21, 2020 at 5:55 pm

Very cool.

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thewattsolak · Aug 21, 2020 at 6:12 pm

Nice!!

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battersons · Aug 21, 2020 at 6:31 pm

Good for you. You are a very talented writer.

tcr! tcr! · Aug 21, 2020 at 7:26 pm

Thank you!!

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keamoose keamoose · Aug 21, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Well done!

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Hater McGhray Hater McGhray · Aug 21, 2020 at 7:38 pm

Awesome!

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Kelly K · Aug 21, 2020 at 7:41 pm

Congratulations! So cool!

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tism tism · Aug 21, 2020 at 7:43 pm

Yes!!

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pynn · Aug 21, 2020 at 7:54 pm

congrats!!

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franh franh · Aug 21, 2020 at 8:13 pm

Very nice

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prokop · Aug 21, 2020 at 9:00 pm

So cool. Way to go.

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whittaker7221 · Aug 21, 2020 at 9:12 pm

So cool! πŸŽ‰πŸ‘πŸ’―

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cormanang · Aug 21, 2020 at 9:14 pm

I’m proud of you. You never cease to amaze!

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chrisrich · Aug 21, 2020 at 9:24 pm

So cool

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threecrates threecrates · Aug 21, 2020 at 10:20 pm

Super rad! Will have to check this out when I get back in town! ❀️

tcr! tcr! · Aug 22, 2020 at 12:06 pm

you can order single issues from their website, too! 😘

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jimi hindrance experience jimi hindrance experience · Aug 21, 2020 at 10:35 pm

DAMN! 😎

tcr! tcr! · Aug 22, 2020 at 11:57 am

Damn I am.

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LAW · Aug 22, 2020 at 8:50 am

Way to go!

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domo vitek · Aug 22, 2020 at 12:47 pm

That’s really awesome!

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Momma J Momma J · Aug 22, 2020 at 3:07 pm

Outstanding!! You got to live it to get it

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Ryan Waters · Aug 24, 2020 at 8:08 am

Wow

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angeline35 angeline35 · Aug 24, 2020 at 4:56 pm

Congratulations!!!

tcr! tcr! · Aug 25, 2020 at 8:31 am

Thank you!

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Dill blooming yellow

tcr! · Jul 9, 2020 at 8:16 am

Dill blooming yellow

Often times taking our hands off of things and letting the cosmic theater run its play is the better course. Sure we all want to hold onto things so we can feel safe and in control, but holding on can squeeze the soul out of the performance.

And routinely I’m reminded that my ideas aren’t always the best ones. As much as I’d like to think I’m all that and a bag of chips I’m really not. When I just sit down in my chair there’ll be cheering and clapping and tears, and of course flowers at the end.

We all want to feel okay. But I think the real feeling of “okay” comes from just letting go.οΏΌ

#photos #flowers #lettherebehope

3 comments

k.morris · Jul 9, 2020 at 12:04 pm

Impressive..i like how u c the beauty in things

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prokop · Jul 9, 2020 at 12:14 pm

Thanks for sharing this.

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Kelly K · Jul 10, 2020 at 1:01 am

I like this.

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Me back in 1992

tcr! · Jul 6, 2020 at 9:01 pm

Me back in 1992, two months-ish sober at 19. I was alcohol-free for ten years on that run.

Me back in 1992

But apparently smoking was allowed everywhere…πŸ€” Also, my younger brother, Lance top left.

#photos #lettherebehope

5 comments

k.morris · Jul 6, 2020 at 11:32 pm

Wow..memories

tcr! tcr! · Jul 7, 2020 at 7:36 am

I still can’t get over the cigarette pack and matches in both photos

k.morris · Jul 7, 2020 at 10:51 am

Ya u look wayyy to young tob smokin

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JJania · Jul 7, 2020 at 10:12 am

It’s the hair.

tcr! tcr! · Jul 7, 2020 at 12:26 pm

I miss that hair

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Grapevine Copyright Agreement Form

tcr! · Jun 19, 2020 at 7:57 pm

It only took almost 2 and a half years but the AA Grapevine finally accepted my written submission! πŸŽ‰

Grapevine Copyright Agreement Form

Here’s the piece I submitted: Alarm clock crazy, no thanks.

#alcoholism #writtenword #lettherebehope

12 comments

Momma J Momma J · Jun 19, 2020 at 8:26 pm

Awesome! Congrats!

BoJack Horseman Hooray

tcr! tcr! · Jun 19, 2020 at 9:12 pm

Thanks!!

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thewattsolak · Jun 19, 2020 at 8:48 pm

Can’t wait to read it!!

tcr! tcr! · Jun 19, 2020 at 9:13 pm

Me, too! πŸ˜‰

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JJ · Jun 19, 2020 at 10:32 pm

How super cool! Congratulations 🎈

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jenkins_arts · Jun 20, 2020 at 6:08 am

Great news! Write On!

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JJania · Jun 20, 2020 at 7:33 am

Keep coming back

Old man clapping

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Kris HB · Jun 20, 2020 at 11:35 am

Whoo hoo turtle

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Daddio G Daddio G · Jun 20, 2020 at 12:05 pm

Congratulations!

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Susan VK · Jun 20, 2020 at 7:07 pm

Congratulations! This is the beginning of a whole new route for you! 🎈🎈🎈

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Ryan Waters · Jun 21, 2020 at 4:32 pm

Now that’s an accomplishment

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cormanang · Jun 21, 2020 at 7:45 pm

You are amazing!

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Toilet paper back on the shelves

tcr! · May 31, 2020 at 4:22 pm

I’m glad that people quit acting like toilet paper was a national emergency … 🚨🧻🚨

Toilet paper back on the shelves

← Previously, Previously#photos #lettherebehope #toiletpaper

4 comments

Kelly K · May 31, 2020 at 8:36 pm

You could almost say, “Order is restored in our country” (laced in sarcasm and πŸ™„πŸ™„πŸ™„)

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Irene · May 31, 2020 at 9:06 pm

Where’s the northern?

tcr! tcr! · Jun 1, 2020 at 8:19 am

Charmin was responsible for the shortage in the first place. They had warehouses full all along.

Irene · Jun 1, 2020 at 8:23 am

Don’t squeeze it

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less than exotic and more than toxic

tcr! · Apr 30, 2020 at 1:12 pm

I was talking with Jimi the other night and I realized something again: I don’t have anything to feel bad about. Because the good news that comes with walking a straight narrow path is that I go about my day feeling good, like I’m headed in the right direction.

No secrets to keep. No regrets to wrestle. No guilt to produce. If you’ve done any of that you’ll know what I’m talking about. You know what I mean when I say that, “I’m worried that particular somebody will find out about what I’ve done.” Or whatever.

I ain’t got none of that. And I’d have to think hard for the last time I did.

Yeah, I got a whole other book of sad stories of drunken stupors and less than exotic and more than toxic secrets. Where I was worried somebody’s husband was going to find out or that my ex-wife would learn the truth. But I won’t because those stories are no longer relevant. I tried in earnest to clean up those mistakes as best I could.

My point being is that I walk with my chin up in the here-and-now. Because that’s the kind of life we’re all supposed to live.

Well, I could tell you the story of when I was 19-ish and drunk and disorderly and pissed on a girl’s couch because I was mad at her. But I guess I don’t feel bad about that.

Rubber Horse Mask

🐴 #photos #lettherebehope

8 comments

Momma J Momma J · Apr 30, 2020 at 1:14 pm

You RocK

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JJ · Apr 30, 2020 at 4:19 pm

Yes! This is what I’m talking about!
Jimi’s the man.

tcr! tcr! · Apr 30, 2020 at 7:46 pm

I think so, too!

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Kelly K · Apr 30, 2020 at 11:26 pm

Is Jimi the horse head? πŸ€”
Also beautifully written sentiment.

tcr! tcr! · May 1, 2020 at 7:44 am

The horse head is the life left behind 😊

Kelly K · May 1, 2020 at 6:05 pm

That concerns me, but I’ll go with it.

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Irene · May 1, 2020 at 9:58 am

Glad you’re where you’re at and have been for a long time!! ❀️

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lisa8 · May 2, 2020 at 4:06 am

I dont like the horse head…naturally…but I get it man. Well done!! ❀️

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Keep going!!

tcr! · Apr 6, 2020 at 8:04 pm

Keep going

I left a note for all the people walking on the sidewalkπŸšΆβ€β™‚οΈ

#photos #lettherebehope

2 comments

Kelly K · Apr 6, 2020 at 7:45 pm

Nice!

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marney0160 marney0160 · Apr 7, 2020 at 6:47 pm

Big thumbs up

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