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This Week at the Latah Recovery Center

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Uncategorized

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU! Last weeks Thanksgiving Dinner was a resounding success thanks to the generosity of 5 Star Equity, INC., One World Café, several private donors, and LRC staff. Almost 40 members of the recovery community were able to receive a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner thanks to all of YOU! Thank you for making it happen.

This weeks Write for You writing activity: https://latahrecoverycenter.org/2017/11/27/write-for-you-continuity/

November at the Latah Recovery Center
Alcoholics Anonymous Every day, noon
Life Skills Mondays, 5-6
Make Your Hobby Pay 1st Monday of month, 6-7pm
Refuge Recovery 420 E. 2nd St Mondays, 6pm
Yoga (Hosted by Moscow Yoga Ctr) Tuesdays 12:30-1:30
Chess w/Steve Tues and Thurs 5-6
Thanksgiving Dinner FREE. OPEN TO ALL IN RECOVERY Tues. 11/21, 5-8pm One World Cafe
Narcotics Anonymous Tuesdays and Fridays 6-7
Domestic Abuse Support Group Tuesdays 6-7
Art w/Alex Tuesdays 7-8
Prescription Addiction Support Group Tuesdays 7-8
Coffee With a Cop Wed., 11/15, 7am and 7pm
Positive Affirmations Wednesdays 5-6
Families and Caregivers of Addicts Support Group Wednesdays 6-7
Recovery International: Mental Health Self-Help Wednesdays, 6:30-8
New Volunteer Orientation Thursdays 4-5
Embracing the Body’s Natural Defense Strategies Thursday, 11/9 5:30-6:30
Understanding the Body’s Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environ. Thursday, 11/16 5:30-6:30
LAMI: Family Support Program 2nd Thurs of month 7-8:30
Computer 101 Thursday, 11/30, 7-8pm
All Recovery Meeting Fridays 5-6
Movie/Games: Check website for listing Fridays 6:30-9
Bingo Saturday, 11/25 4-8
AA Speakers Meeting 3rd Saturday of month, 11-2:30
Learn How to Crochet & Calm Your Mind 4th Sat of month, 10-12
Adult Children of Alcoholics, Women’s Meeting Sundays 6-7:30
Classes and Groups are ALWAYS FREE OR AT COST AND OPEN TO ALL.
RSVP LatahRecoveryCenter@gmail.com Bolded Date=Regular offering. Plain text=Special offering for month.
Need an understanding person to talk to? We have Recovery Peer Volunteers here to help you in recovery from mental health and addiction issues all hours of operation. We are here to help!

Write for You: Continuity

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Write for You Blog

by Nancy Casey

Things that stay the same in our lives over time are what give our lives continuity. These things could be situations, such as a job, a support group, or a relationship. The continuous things could be places: a town, a library, a home. Our lives can derive continuity from possessions we have had for a long time: favorite shirts, certain books, that cup, a car.

The funny thing about continuity is that we wouldn’t notice anything about the things that stay the same if there weren’t a whole lot of other things that changed.

On top of that, you can’t really predict ahead of time what’s going to stay with you in your life and what’s going to disappear. You can expect certain things to be the same. You can even try hard to keep them the same. But dishes break, relationships end, and suitcases get lost. Only by looking back can you say for sure what parts of your life, big or small, have stayed the same.

Today in your writing, choose one aspect of your life that’s been continuous for awhile. Big or small. It could be anything from your house or your best friend to your shoes. (You can decide how long “awhile” should be.)

Begin by describing what you have chosen to write about. Tell what it is. What does it look or feel like? What do you notice and appreciate about it? What role does it play in your life now, today?

Then think about the past. Think of a different moment when the “thing” was present. It could be sometime in the past when you wore the shoes, talked to the friend, sat on a certain couch. Describe that moment. How this one thing is still present, even though the surroundings and situation could be entirely different.

You could end up writing a lot about one moment, and explain how something present in your life today was present at a significant moment.

You might find it more interesting to write short descriptions of a string of moments where many things changed, but this one thing you have in mind stayed with you or stayed the same.

Whatever you decide to write, it will be interesting. Because no two lives are the same.

When you have finished give your work a title and write the date on it. There is an example of what a person could write here: http://planetnancy.net/writing-prompts/continuity/

 

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. She has taught writing classes at the Recovery Center and will return again in the spring of 2018. You can find more of her work at http://planetnancy.net/ If you would like her help with a writing project, email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com for more information.

This Week at the Latah Recovery Center

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Uncategorized

This Weeks Special Activities at The Center:
The Center is hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on 11/15, 7am AND pm.  Come have coffee with the MPD Chief, and enjoy a chance to learn more about the PD and the Chief, while getting your questions answered.
Alicia Hu is leading a different discussion on 11/16, 5:30-6:30:  Understanding the Bodies Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environment.

Did you know we are hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in Recovery?  That’s right!  One World Café is the location for the festivities on 11/21, 5-8pm.  FREE AND OPEN TO ALL IN RECOVERY.  RSVPs are appreciated.

Here’s our entire calendar:

November at the Latah Recovery Center
Alcoholics Anonymous                                                                                      Every day, noon
Life Skills                                                                                                              Mondays, 5-6
Make Your Hobby Pay                                                                                      1st Monday of month, 6-7pm
Refuge Recovery 420 E. 2nd St                                                                         Mondays, 7pm
Yoga (Hosted by Moscow Yoga Ctr)                                                              Tuesdays 12:30-1:30
Chess w/Steve                                                                                                      Tues and Thurs 5-6
Thanksgiving Dinner FREE.  OPEN TO ALL IN RECOVERY            Tues. 11/21, 5-8pm One World Cafe
Narcotics Anonymous                                                                                        Tuesdays and Fridays 6-7
Domestic Abuse Support Group                                                                       Tuesdays 6-7
Art w/Alex                                                                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Prescription Addiction Support Group                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Coffee With a Cop                                                                                              Wed., 11/15, 7am and 7pm
Positive Affirmations                                                                                          Wednesdays 5-6
Families and Caregivers of Addicts Support Group                                      Wednesdays 6-7
Recovery International:  Mental Health Self-Help                                      Wednesdays, 6:30-8
New Volunteer Orientation                                                                                Thursdays 4-5
Embracing the Body’s Natural Defense Strategies                                       Thursday, 11/9 5:30-6:30
Understanding the Body’s Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environ.              Thursday, 11/16 5:30-6:30
LAMI:  Family Support Program                                                                     2nd Thurs of month 7-8:30
Computer 101                                                                                                      Thursday, 11/30, 7-8pm
All Recovery Meeting                                                                                         Fridays 5-6
Movie/Games:  Check website for listing                                                       Fridays 6:30-9
Bingo                                                                                                                     Saturday, 11/25 4-8
AA Speakers Meeting                                                                                         3rd Saturday of month, 11-2:30
Learn How to Crochet & Calm Your Mind                                                    4th Sat of month, 10-12
Adult Children of Alcoholics, Women’s Meeting                                          Sundays 6-7:30
Classes and Groups are ALWAYS FREE OR AT COST AND OPEN TO ALL.
RSVP LatahRecoveryCenter@gmail.com Bolded Date=Regular offering.  Plain text=Special offering for month.
Need an understanding person to talk to?  We have Recovery Peer Volunteers here to help you in recovery from mental health and addiction issues all hours of operation. We are here to help!

This Week at the Latah Recovery Center

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Uncategorized

This weeks Write for You blog:  https://latahrecoverycenter.org/2017/11/07/write-for-you-soon-also-and-then/

Upcoming Special Activities at The Center:
Alicia Hu will be leading a discussion on Embracing the Bodies Natural Defense Strategies November 9, 5:30-6:30.
The Center is hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on 11/15, 7am AND pm.  Come have coffee with the MPD Chief, and enjoy a chance to learn more about the PD and the Chief, while getting your questions answered.
Alicia Hu is leading a different discussion on 11/16, 5:30-6:30:  Understanding the Bodies Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environment.

Did you know we are hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in Recovery?  That’s right!  One World Café is the location for the festivities on 11/21, 5-8pm.  FREE AND OPEN TO ALL IN RECOVERY.

Here’s our entire calendar:

November at the Latah Recovery Center
Alcoholics Anonymous                                                                                      Every day, noon
Life Skills                                                                                                              Mondays, 5-6
Make Your Hobby Pay                                                                                      1st Monday of month, 6-7pm
Refuge Recovery 420 E. 2nd St                                                                         Mondays, 7pm
Yoga (Hosted by Moscow Yoga Ctr)                                                              Tuesdays 12:30-1:30
Chess w/Steve                                                                                                      Tues and Thurs 5-6
Thanksgiving Dinner FREE.  OPEN TO ALL IN RECOVERY            Tues. 11/21, 5-8pm One World Cafe
Narcotics Anonymous                                                                                        Tuesdays and Fridays 6-7
Domestic Abuse Support Group                                                                       Tuesdays 6-7
Art w/Alex                                                                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Prescription Addiction Support Group                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Coffee With a Cop                                                                                              Wed., 11/15, 7am and 7pm
Positive Affirmations                                                                                          Wednesdays 5-6
Families and Caregivers of Addicts Support Group                                      Wednesdays 6-7
Recovery International:  Mental Health Self-Help                                      Wednesdays, 6:30-8
New Volunteer Orientation                                                                                Thursdays 4-5
Embracing the Body’s Natural Defense Strategies                                       Thursday, 11/9 5:30-6:30
Understanding the Body’s Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environ.              Thursday, 11/16 5:30-6:30
LAMI:  Family Support Program                                                                     2nd Thurs of month 7-8:30
Computer 101                                                                                                      Thursday, 11/30, 7-8pm
All Recovery Meeting                                                                                         Fridays 5-6
Movie/Games:  Check website for listing                                                       Fridays 6:30-9
Bingo                                                                                                                     Saturday, 11/25 4-8
AA Speakers Meeting                                                                                         3rd Saturday of month, 11-2:30
Learn How to Crochet & Calm Your Mind                                                    4th Sat of month, 10-12
Adult Children of Alcoholics, Women’s Meeting                                          Sundays 6-7:30
Classes and Groups are ALWAYS FREE OR AT COST AND OPEN TO ALL.
RSVP LatahRecoveryCenter@gmail.com Bolded Date=Regular offering.  Plain text=Special offering for month.
Need an understanding person to talk to?  We have Recovery Peer Volunteers here to help you in recovery from mental health and addiction issues all hours of operation. We are here to help!

Write for You: Soon, Also and Then

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Uncategorized, Write for You Blog

by Nancy Casey

Today in your writing practice, you are going to write about the future. Any part of the whole imaginary future that could be ahead. You could write about your plans for the rest of this day. Or you could fast-forward to a time when you have super-powers and understand what to do in every situation. You can write about any point in the future, near or far, as long as you can imagine it somehow.

Before you do that, stand up on your feet. Shift your weight gently to the left and to the right for a bit. Try to get a sense of a gentle rocking motion. Don’t try to be particularly athletic or stretch. Let your arms feel relaxed.

While you do this, let your mind wander through some ideas about your imagined future. If you catch yourself thinking about the past, say, “Oops, I’m trying to imagine the future.”

Keep shifting your weight back and forth, and turn your head a little to the left and right. Raise your arms if that feels good. You can put them on your belly or cross them so they make an ‘X’ on your chest. You can even put them on top of your head if that’s not too much of a stretch. All the while, rock gently, look to the left and right, and imagine what might lie in your future.

Then sit down to write. Write about whatever comes to you mind about your imagined future, it doesn’t necessarily have to be what you thought up while you were standing. That might have gotten the ideas flowing so that new ideas come to you now. Write your page like this:
1. Begin the first line with “Soon” and write about something that will happen to you soon.
2. Begin the second line with “Also” and write about what will also happen.
3. Begin the third line with “And then…” and tell what will happen next.
Keep going, always writing about something you imagine in your future. As you continue, start every line with either “Soon…,” “Also…,” or “And then…” You don’t have to keep using those three words in that order, and it’s okay to use the same one over and over. Just be sure that each line begins with one of those words.

However you zip around in your future is up to you. You don’t have to explain anything to anybody else. Just write what makes sense to you.

When you have finished, give you page a title. Put the date on it as well. You can find an example of the kind of thing someone might write here: http://planetnancy.net/writing-prompts/writing-about-the-future/

This is a good exercise to do several times during the week. You could start to notice that your future looks different to you at different times.

 

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. She has taught writing classes at the Recovery Center and will return again in the spring of 2018. You can find more of her work at http://planetnancy.net/ If you would like her help with a writing project, email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com for more information.

November at the Latah Recovery Center

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Uncategorized

Consistent readers will recall I was away at the Multiple Pathways to Recovery conference last week.  Great conference.  One resource I learned about is http://www.intherooms.com.  It is a bit like Facebook for those in recovery from addictions.  Hundreds of online meetings of most of the major 12 step groups, recovery chat, etc.  Nothing can replace real face to face interaction, but this looks like a nice supplement.  I encourage you to check it out.  I know we will be looking at how to use it here at the Latah Recovery Center.  If you have any ideas of how we might use this resource at The Center, shoot me an email.

The latest Write for You blog: https://latahrecoverycenter.org/2017/10/31/write-for-you-a-special-friend/

Special Offerings for November:
Coffee With a Cop Wed., 11/15, 7am and 7pm.  Come for an informal visit with the Chief.  Get any of your questions answered.  Let the police know your concerns, and learn about his.  The public is strongly encouraged to attend this event.
Embracing the Body’s Natural Defense Strategies   Thursday, 11/9 5:30-6:30 led by Alicia Hu.
Understanding the Body’s Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environ. Thursday, 11/16 5:30-6:30 led by Alicia Hu.
Thanksgiving Dinner.  11/21, 5-8pm at One World Café.  Free and open to all in Recovery.  RSVPs appreciated.
Computer 101 Thursday, 11/30, 7-8pm led by Katylynn Miller.  Katylynn leads an open class answering your questions about most popular Microsoft programs.
Bingo  Saturday, 11/25 4-8.  The name says it all.  Come and have some fun!

 

November Calendar:
November at the Latah Recovery Center
Alcoholics Anonymous                                                                                      Every day, noon
Make Your Hobby Pay                                                                                      1st Monday of month, 6-7pm
Refuge Recovery 420 E. 2nd St                                                                         Mondays, 7pm
Yoga (Hosted by Moscow Yoga Ctr)                                                              Tuesdays 12:30-1:30
Life Skills                                                                                                              Tuesdays 5-6
Chess w/Steve                                                                                                      Tues and Thurs 5-6
Thanksgiving Dinner FREE.  OPEN TO ALL IN RECOVERY            Tues. 11/21, 5-8pm One World Cafe
Narcotics Anonymous                                                                                        Tuesdays and Fridays 6-7
Domestic Abuse Support Group                                                                       Tuesdays 6-7
Art w/Alex                                                                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Prescription Addiction Support Group                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Coffee With a Cop                                                                                              Wed., 11/15, 7am and 7pm
Positive Affirmations                                                                                          Wednesdays 5-6
Families and Caregivers of Addicts Support Group                                      Wednesdays 6-7
Recovery International:  Mental Health Self-Help                                      Wednesdays, 6:30-8
New Volunteer Orientation                                                                                Thursdays 4-5
Embracing the Body’s Natural Defense Strategies                                       Thursday, 11/9 5:30-6:30
Understanding the Body’s Ability to Adjust to a Harsh Environ.              Thursday, 11/16 5:30-6:30
LAMI:  Family Support Program                                                                     2nd Thurs of month 7-8:30
Computer 101                                                                                                      Thursday, 11/30, 7-8pm
All Recovery Meeting                                                                                         Fridays 5-6
Movie/Games:  Check website for listing                                                       Fridays 6:30-9
Bingo                                                                                                                     Saturday, 11/25 4-8
AA Speakers Meeting                                                                                         3rd Saturday of month, 11-2:30
Learn How to Crochet & Calm Your Mind                                                    4th Sat of month, 10-12
Adult Children of Alcoholics, Women’s Meeting                                          Sundays 6-7:30
Classes and Groups are ALWAYS FREE OR AT COST AND OPEN TO ALL.
RSVP LatahRecoveryCenter@gmail.com Bolded Date=Regular offering.  Plain text=Special offering for month.
Need an understanding person to talk to?  We have Recovery Peer Volunteers here to help you in recovery from mental health and addiction issues all hours of operation. We are here to help!

 

Write for You: A Special Friend

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Write for You Blog

by Nancy Casey

We all have imaginary friends. Think about it. And when you do, you’ll hear some kind of conversation in your head. The conversation might even go something like this:
“Imaginary friends are for children, not adults.”
“That’s right. I outgrew that a long time ago.”
Even in that conversation, someone is talking and someone listens. If the conversation takes place in your mind, it’s between you and an imaginary friend.
Sometimes, we refer to these friends as voices. We might be telling someone a story about ourselves and say, “And then this voice in my head said…”
There are many theories about these voices that talk to us inside our minds, but no theory fully explains where they come from. Sometimes they are echoes of things we have heard or been told. Sometimes they are not. Each voice, however, has an attitude. Not all attitudes are good for you.
Even though everyone is different, there is one voice that everybody has. That is the voice of the imaginary friend who only wants the best for you. Today in your writing, spend some time with this special friend who lives in your mind.
This is a friend who has been with you from the start and knows you completely.
This is a friend whose only motivation is to help you and who never wants anything else.
This is a friend with a quiet, gentle voice who often gets drowned out by other voices, by other imaginary friends with different motivations, the ones who might not have your best interests at heart.
This friend cheers your every success, and at the same time isn’t very surprised when you do well, because they know how capable you are.
When you are in a crisis, this friend says things like, “Did you see that! Are you okay? Let’s find some ways to take care of you.”
When you make a bad decision, this friend says, “Wow, now we know what that was like. I totally get why you did that. Let’s discuss what we learned and how we got stronger.”
This is a friend who helps you notice what pleases you, whether it’s other people, the natural world, or your efforts at housekeeping. When you smile, this friend knows what you are smiling at, and maybe even said the thing that made you smile.
When you are in a bad situation, this friend helps you analyze your discomfort and see that the “badness” comes from the situation and not yourself.
Every morning when you wake up, this friend greets a day full of opportunities for you to be your best self.
One thing to remember about this friend is that they are so kind and so polite that they won’t shout or interrupt others. That means that this friend often has their voice drowned out.
Today when you write, politely silence everybody in your mind but this special friend. If other voices chime in, don’t put their words down. Just tell them that you are listening to someone else right now. Give your special friend some time and space to be sure they can talk without being interrupted.
Record what your special friend has to say about what’s going on in your life. Maybe it will come out as a conversation. Maybe the friend will really get going and give a speech.
It’s possible your special friend is terribly shy and doesn’t have much to say. If that happens, don’t force it, but don’t walk away, and don’t let anybody else talk instead. Ask your friend a few questions and doodle on the page. Quietly reject any information that doesn’t come from that friend, saying, “I’m sorry, but somebody else is talking now.”
Your special friend is in there. It’s worth the trouble to get acquainted. This is the very best friend you will ever have.
Be sure to put the date on your writing and give it a title as well. You can find an example of what a person could write here: http://planetnancy.net/writing-prompts/words-from-a-friend/

 

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. She has taught writing classes at the Recovery Center and will return again in the spring of 2018. You can find more of her work here: http://planetnancy.net. If you would like her help with a writing project, email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com for more information.

 

This Week at the Latah Recovery Center

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Uncategorized

I’m at the Multiple Pathways to Recovery Conference put on by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery getting lots of ideas to bring back.  While the boss is gone, the staff will play.  If we were a furniture store, we’d have a sale.  Here’s what’s keeping everyone busy at The Center.

The latest from our Write for You blog: https://latahrecoverycenter.org/2017/10/23/write-for-you-just-the-junk/

If you are interested in becoming a trained Recovery Coach check the attached flyer for info on a training soon in Lewiston.  Space is limited, and there are a couple scholarships available to our CURRENT LRC volunteers.  Certified Recovery Coaches can be employed at area SUD service providers.  RC Training Lewiston

Don’t miss the movie and discussion hosted by the League of Women Voters!  Resilience Poster – Moscow

This Week:  In addition to our regularly scheduled offerings detailed below, here are some specials:
Stepping Into a Healthier Life:  Nutrition 10/27, 4-5pm
Learn How to Crochet and Calm Your Mind:  10/28, 10-12
Bingo:  10/28, 4-8pm

…and here is a sneak peak at some of our November special offerings:
Coffee with a Cop:  11/15, 7am AND 7pm.
What is AA: TBD
Building Resilience by Exploring Body’s Hidden Strengths (a series by Alicia Hu) 1.  Embracing Body’s Natural Defense Strategies:  11/9, 5:30-6:30  2. Understanding Body’s Capacity to Adjust to a Harsh Environment:  11/16, 5:30-6:30
Computer 101:  11/30, 7-8pm
Here’s the entire schedule!
October at the Latah Recovery Center
Alcoholics Anonymous                                                                                      Every day, noon
Positive Affirmations                                                                                          Mondays and Weds 1:10-2
Make Your Hobby Pay                                                                                      1st Monday of month, 6-7pm
College and Career Info by Palouse Pathways                                             Monday, 6:30-8 10/23
Refuge Recovery 420 E. 2nd St                                                                         Mondays, 7pm
Yoga (Hosted by Moscow Yoga Ctr)                                                              Tuesdays 12:30-1:30
Life Skills                                                                                                              Tuesdays 5-6
Chess w/Steve                                                                                                      Tues and Thurs 5-6
Narcotics Anonymous                                                                                        Tuesdays and Fridays 6-7
Domestic Abuse Support Group                                                                       Tuesdays 6-7
Art w/Alex                                                                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Prescription Addiction Support Group                                                             Tuesdays 7-8
Families and Caregivers of Addicts Support Group                                      Wednesdays 6-7
How Are We Doing?  Q and A with the Director                                            Wednesday, 6-8pm 10/11
Recovery International:  Mental Health Self-Help                                      Wednesdays, 6:30-8
New Volunteer Orientation                                                                                Thursdays 4-5
LAMI:  Family Support Program                                                                     2nd Thurs of month 7-8:30
All Recovery Meeting                                                                                         Fridays 5-6
Stepping Into a Healthier Life: Exercise                                                         Friday 4-5, 10/13
Stepping Into a Healthier Life: Nutrition                                                        Friday 4-5 10/27
Computer 101                                                                                                      Friday 7-8, 10/13
Movie/Games:  Check website for listing                                                       Fridays 6:30-9
Bingo                                                                                                                     Saturday, 10/28 4-8
AA Speakers Meeting                                                                                        3rd Saturday of month, 11-2:30
Learn How to Crochet & Calm Your Mind                                                    4th Sat of month, 10-12
Adult Children of Alcoholics, Women’s Meeting                                          Sundays 6-7:30
Classes and Groups are ALWAYS FREE OR AT COST AND OPEN TO ALL.
RSVP LatahRecoveryCenter@gmail.com Bolded=Regular offering.  Plain text=Special offering for month.
Need an understanding person to talk to?  We have Recovery Peer Volunteers here to help you in recovery from mental health and addiction issues all hours of operation. We are here to help!

Write for You: Just the Junk

by latahrecoverycenter, posted in Write for You Blog

by Nancy Casey

Do you have a junk drawer? A drawer full of a random collection of things that you don’t want to throw away, but which aren’t quite valuable enough to have their own place to live in your home? Things like padlocks with misplaced keys or keys with misplaced padlocks. Things like lone band-aids, twist ties, or a couple of the neighbor kid’s legos.

Maybe your junk drawer isn’t a drawer. It could be the back of your closet, the floor of your car, or the bottom of your backpack. Maybe it’s the kitchen counter, the refrigerator, your coat pockets, or that spot by the door.

Today, write about what’s in your junk drawer. If you are like me and you have junk “drawers” all over the place, pick just one to write about. Don’t move on to a second one unless you have said everything you can about the first one.

Write about anything and everything that’s in your junk drawer, all the way down to the dust bunnies. You can dump it out on the table in front of you if you like. (But don’t pressure yourself to do anything more organized than dumping it all back in when you are finished.)

Write down what each item is. Then pick one and say something about it. You can say a little or a lot.

These are some ideas for what you could say: Tell how the thing got into your life and why it is still there. Tell why it belongs in the junk drawer, and not under your bed or in the oven or next to your your socks. What it would say if it could talk to you? Did you find any things that you forgot about and were delighted to see again? Is there anything in there that you don’t think you’ve ever seen before?

It isn’t really “junk” is it?

What if you don’t have a junk drawer to write about? No disorderly or random piles of whatnot anywhere in your living space? What do you do with your ticket stubs, receipts, odd mittens and old keys? Do you have certain habits that prevent accumululations of stuff from washing up in the corners of your life? Did you have junk in the past that you don’t have now? If you had a junk drawer, what would be in it?

Whatever you have to say about junk drawers and their junk, be sure to give your work a title and write the date on it.

To see an example of what a person could write, visit: http://planetnancy.net/writing-prompts/just-the-junk/

 

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. Her website is PlanetNancy.net. She has taught writing classes at the Recovery Center and will return again in the spring of 2018. If you have a writing project you would like help with, email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com for more information.