Hi y'all...  ... I was a brainy kid- with great hopes and dreams. I read and worked and read some more. In the classroom I seemed to daydream a lot.

Out side of Alanon i do a lot of research and study- and a lot of it online. I read this morning that having big dreams and plans ahead- is just as healthy as regular journalling...

...so maybe I could just test this out for myself. I was always a sucker for fads and get-well-quick schemes... but in the midst of all that some things do and did work!

So maybe Alanon and the 12 Step programmes were one of those fads- that stuck!

This year I wanted to reach out a bit more- Tradition 5.

And already, this year I hear a buzz around the board- heading in this direction.

Out in my back yard i have two chickens, and a bantie hen with them. The chicks are three days old.

This is a part o my hobby- for old age- to get me out into the back yard- and recharge my tired old batteries.

But I still have my hopes and dreams- maybe 20 or 30 years ahead... but that is always, most surely, one day at a time.

I do have a book to finish. An important work of scholarship... a life's work really- which i will try to finish before too much old age takes over. And there are fruit frees, bees, another growing things that will always need my attention!

rather than learning a lot more Alanon- I want to put all the pieces together- reading, experience, and the numerous contacts Alanon has given me. I still like to keep it simple. I want especially to read "Lois Remembers". That person was a real role model and help to me, especially...  ...

I was always going to be a lifetime member.

From the get-go i was always a regular contributor to the NZ national newsletter of Alanon... and I suppose I will always be writing in and sharing.

But I think is always wise to look at the big picture, and dream... oh yes~!!!  ...

David, what a lovely share!! I do believe that, besides writing a journal, pursuing one's dreams is another way to accomplish a well rounded life in recovery.

Writing a book sounds very interesting, do tell us the topic!

I have slowed down somewhat, so still do the things that I love, but at a slower pace.

I always wanted to own my own jewelry shop, so I did for several years, but sadly had to close it, due to lack of business (but very happy that I was able to do it!)

Since I retired in December 2019, I am still trying to figure out what is the most important use of my time and MIP, a few close friends and my cat Louis are my focus right now.

Always had a job, sometimes two at the same time, trying to raise two kids on my own, with a house, cats and fish. There was always so much to do, that I am enjoying just being home.

Love to garden and change things up in the house, take care of myself .... life is good  

Thank you for your post David!

  My topic is William Jackson Barry- who strode the nineteenth century... butcher, whaler, stockman, miner and lecturer...

  In my 20's and 30's I had more jobs than hot feeds- and periods of being on welfare... but I worked hard when i could...

 ...in the USA- would be called a field worker... and ending up working with a lot of migrant workers... but writing, especially poetry kept my nose above water...

we still have a small business, designed to provide for our retirement... and I work on this regularly. We rent out three modest flats...