Blog
Room
I lived with my family in a one hundred-year-old barn of a house. The old place was solid as a rock, made of old-growth fir, double walls in some places, which was lucky because there was no insulation...
Palazzo Medici Riccardi
I had an hour to or so to kill before class. I dawdled over lunch, Tuscan white beans in tomato sauce and tomato, onion, and oregano salad with a short pour of cold white wine. The lingering flavors were mine alone, no one to share them with, no one to share the empty...
Arriving in Florence
Journey to Italy The pandemic is over, so they say. Or so we are all behaving, traveling around the globe naked-faced. Despite getting Covid again two weeks before leaving for Florence. Cramped into a series of airplane seats listening to snippets of conversation that...
Christian Review vs Survivor Review
A few years ago I published my memoir of growing up as a United Pentecostal preacher's kid (The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid). Its a fairly harrowing tale in a lot of ways and I chose not to sugarcoat my story. I am convinced that no one of any gender...
New Interview!
https://hippocampusmagazine.com/2022/04/interview-with-steph-auteri-and-ronna-russell-how-to-write-about-sexual-intimacy-without-making-your-reader-cringe-and-or-horrifying-friends-and-family/
Interstate
I am doing the thing I said I would never do again. I am getting married to someone who changed my mind about the wisdom of the institution. Marrying Steve, a steady-as-a-rock British professor who patiently showed me what love is, involves a cross country move from...
Straight Enough: a memoir
A friend and fellow writer from my former hometown writing group has released her memoir, Straight Enough and I gotta tell you, this book kicked my ass. The lengths we will go to to deny ourselves, the stranglehold of fear and ego, the twisted mindfuck of...
Always Waiting
I am waiting for the call telling me that my mother has taken her last breath and I do not know what to do with myself. I am not sure how to spend this time. I walked the dogs, bathed, ate breakfast, doomscrolled, stared at my phone, ransacked boxes of old photos,...
Then It Got Weird
We headed south, stopping at a winery in Alabama that looked like this: Then to Gulf Shores which, predictably, looked like this: Then to Tallahassee: And finally to a much anticipated pecan farm in the backwoods of Georgia, where we intended to stay for a few days,...
Campering 2.0
The next day we hiked to a waterfall in the sweltering Tennessee woods, a journey of mosquitoes, whining meniscus, and arthritic toes. But we were out there, man. Our much fitter friend tactfully stopped occasionally to take pictures, allowing us time to sweat and...
Campering
It turns out when you arrive at a campground after dark after having driven for eleven hours with two dogs and a refrigerator you found out doesn’t work the night before you leave for a two week trip, there is more than one way to start a campfire after you discover...
Revelation
Revelation, my first fiction is piece, is published! Revelation is a short story included in a collection of stories called Secrets, available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. About Revelation: Protagonist Rebekah Wolfe is married to the pastor of an up-and-coming...
Resources for Recovering Karens (Including Me)
Want to help? Not sure how? Here is a list of links to a staggering amount of resources from black scholars, activists, and authors to help us get started. *Please note-some of these link are Twitter threads. You do not need to have a Twitter profile to read them....
Apocalypse Now
In my head there is a Venn diagram of rapture cultists/biblical literalists, assault rifle packers/MAGA hat wearers, and the transnational crime syndicate of billionaires. They all come together to support Donald Trump. (FYI, he's part of the transnational crime...
READ THIS… Joy Unspeakable by Joy Hopper
Joy Unspeakable is a must-read for any ex-fundamentalist. Author Joy Hopper shares her story out of her abusive marriage and out of her own mental prison with honesty and good humor. She and her twin were adopted at a young age by a Pentecostal family. She immerses...
Voices of Deconversion Podcast
Here is my latest podcast conversation-hosted by Steve Hilliker of the Voices of Deconversion. (The intro has me spouting some truth by Glennon Doyle. I give her credit in the full interview.) Thank you, Steve! Here's the Spotify link! Enjoy! Link to my book: The...
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
I have lived every word of this book; every page of this journey. But somehow, instead of feeling like oh I already know this stuff, I found myself savoring every word of Untamed. Doyle's articulation of the process of shedding expectations is sheer joy. Her ability...
When I Was You: a novel by Amber Garza
When I Was You is deeeelicious! I stayed up way past my bedtime to read and finally put it down right before the last few chapters. And then laid in the dark trying to figure out where the story was going, picking apart the plot points, making sure I hadn't missed...
New Forward! Updated Cover!
The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid has been updated with a new forward by Thomas Fudge, author of Heretics and Politics: Theology, Power, and Perception in the Last Days of CBC. AND a new back cover review from Amber Garza, author of the upcoming...
Review from Author Amy Fish for Hippocampus Magazine
Amy's review of The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid appears in the current edition of Hippocampus Magazine. Book Review in Prayer Form Honestly, I laughed and cried while reading this review-so funny and insightful. Thank you, Amy and Hippocampus...
The Life After Podcast
So much thanks to Chuck and Brady of The Life After podcast for the opportunity to do this interview. We talked about sex from every angle, laughed a lot, and discussed elements of my memoir, The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid, that I don't often have...
Happy New Year
That is all.
Amethyst Joy
Amethyst Joy is one of my favorite Instagram follows. She has a way of revealing how wound sources show up in parenting. Her words are deep and soft and true; a reminder that we can do better. And she does it without twisting the knife. Even though my kids are grown,...
This Means War.
Ohio State Representative Candice Keller (Republican anti-abortion zealot) has included language in House Bill 413 that must be deleted. I understand she wants to get rid of abortion completely. She is entitled to her opinion about abortion, but she is not free to...
The Weekly Zephyr by Tina Rowley
My current favorite thing in the world to read is The Weekly Zephyr. Tina Rowley puts together poetry and art (and sometimes music and other stuff) in ways that blow my mind and make me stop, want to stop, to soak it in and read it at least twice. I don't know how she...
Interview with Cami Ostman of The Narrative Project
Cami Ostman is my hero, plain and simple. I signed up for Cami's writing program, The Narrative Project, when I realized I was never going to finish my memoir without some help. A lot of help. She was my writing coach (English teacher, professional nudger, unofficial...
The Next Question
Everything I have been thinking about lately is contained int his dynamic mind-blowing conversation: the institution of church as a tool of patriarchy, how white women and women of color can create sisterhood and work together against institutionalized sexism. How...
Thomas Fudge’s Review of The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid
Thomas Fudge's book, Heretics and Politics: Theology, Power, and Perception in the Last Days of CBC, was the inspiration for The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid. I doubt I ever would have had the impetus to publish if he had not gone first. They are very...
Facebook Live with Scot Loyd
I had a conversation with Scot Loyd today. He is an insightful educator, writer, and interviewer. Please watch! And follow Scot's blog, too....
Interview with Suzette Mullen, wherein we chat about the publication process
Hey, I did another interview! This time with writing coach, Suzette Mullen, of Your Story Finder. Suzette and I met at Hippocamp 2018 and never stopped talking. She asked me some questions about my publication process for The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's...
Recovery From Religion Podcast interview drops!
New podcast interview on Recovery From Religion! Big thanks to the hosts, Tim and Bill, for being so thoughtful and welcoming. We had a wonderful conversation about my memoir, The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid! I deeply appreciate the opportunity to...
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert: it’s complicated
WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS HUGE SPOILERS AND INCIDENTS OF ALL CAPS. Seriously, this is a review for people who have already read this book. And you should definitely read this book. Several friends suggested I read City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert-one went so far...
In Depth Review of Uncomfortable Confessions
You know when a review starts with a quote by Freud it's gonna get into the details... "Freud observed, “How bold one gets when one is sure of being loved.” Ronna Russell in her book The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid, embodies the kind of selflove that...
Lovely New Review
I so appreciate everyone who has taken the time to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Good reviews are the lifeblood of book sales-literally nothing else matters more. This one made my day: 5 out of 5 stars Harrowing, heartbreaking, and hopeful Ronna Russell takes...
Ahem, may I please have your attention?
These round cheeks overlook my desk, a constant reminder to relax, be free, and hang out once in awhile. I'll do those things later, but right now, in an effort to stay on task, I extend a sincere request for book reviews. Would those of you who have read The...
Party Train to Hippocamp
The road to Hippocamp Writers’ Conference is dark with no bathrooms and requires driving for hours through torrential rain, tunnels and construction zones, and being blocked in by eighteen wheelers. Holding my pee, I eased through the EZ pass gate where I took a wrong...
Hippocamp Writers Conference 2019
Hey, I'm here and my memoir is on the sale table! I have officially made it to the lowest rung of the next ladder.
You Are Worthy
Beautiful love letter of encouragement... You Are Worthy https://survivingchurchandchildhood.wordpress.com/2019/08/21/you-are-worthy/ — Read on survivingchurchandchildhood.wordpress.com/2019/08/21/you-are-worthy/
Rape Culture: What the pedophilia cover-up at Calvary Gospel Church has in common with the Jeffrey Epstein case
We see it over and over in the news-priests in the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist scandal, Michigan State University, countless youth ministers in Christian churches… the list is endless. Adults rape children while other adults actively cover-up the abuse to...
A Brief Timeline of Sex Abuse at Calvary Gospel Church
This story is circulating on social media right now. There are a lot of moving parts, so I have put them all in one place. Links are below. Circa 1980 - Debbie McNulty was eleven when a married man at church began grooming her. He quickly escalated from ice cream...
Read moreYesterday was a big day for the survivors of Calvary Gospel Church. Rebecca Martin Byrd and I spoke at a press conference regarding two bills. One would end the statue of limitations for sexual assault survivors and one would deal with the clergy loophole regarding mandatory reporting. You can watch here… https://www.facebook.com/representative.taylor/videos/506129963263512/ We were also […]
Letting The Sunshine In — Surviving Church and Childhood
Yesterday was a big day for the survivors of Calvary Gospel Church. Rebecca Martin Byrd and I spoke at a press conference regarding two bills. One would end the statue of limitations for sexual assault survivors and one would deal with the clergy loophole regarding...
Write It Yourself…
Memoirists often write for understanding, as I did. There is something about seeing your own words on the page that offers tangibility and perspective to experiences. When Dr. Thomas Fudge wrote Heretics and Politics, a book about the history of the United Pentecostal...
Sex Abuse in the UPCI Hits the Media
I am just going to leave this right here. Follow the link to read the whole story in The Cap Times. Stolen childhoods: Women allege they were sexually abused as kids at Calvary Gospel Church in Madison
New Interview on Writers Corner Live Show!
https://www.facebook.com/WritersCornerLive/videos/2397841113832400/
Fun Fact
Of the six men who were murdered during the Salem Witch Trials, five were known to be excessively violent. Bear in mind, domestic abuse was legal in those days (ahem*marital rape is still legal in Ohio). Wives, children, servants and slaves, livestock, all were the...
The Process of Leaving and Dealing With Trauma
REQUIRED READING Trauma lives in our bodies like a chronic disease. I relate to every word of this. Isn't it a relief when someone is able explain what you carry inside? The Process of Leaving and Dealing With Trauma...
Slacking
Rumor has it I have been slacking with the blog posting situation. It is true. I have taken a giant step away from social media lately in order to enjoy my school break and to relish the completion of my book launch. I have been hanging out with the hubby, the dog, my...
New Review From Surviving Church and Childhood
The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid: “This book was not an easy read. I grew up in a UPC church as well and at times it all hits too close to home. The author is so brave in her telling of her story! This is a wonderful read for anyone who is interested...
Who Loves Cheese?
What is that one thing you always come back to? That one thing you can never not adore? For me, it's cheese. Cheeeeeese. I came up with this while playing around with poetry as short-form memoir during Creative Writing class. Only Love Remains How did we begin, my one...
Mindshift Podcast Interview
A couple of weeks ago Dr. Clint Heacock of Mindshift Podcast interviewed me about The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid. The interview was a great experience because he put me at ease right away with his thoughtful curiosity and willingness to let...
New Review from In Bed With Married Women
Sex blogger Jill Hamilton of In Bed With Married Women writes about all things sex-positive with blunt, hilarious honesty. As it turns out, she also does book reviews! Lucky me! Here's what she has to say about The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid: Click...
Review From The Bookworm Drinketh
The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preachers Kid by Ronna Russell http://thebookwormdrinketh.com/2019/04/30/the-uncomfortable-confessions-of-a-preachers-daughter-by-ronna-russell/ — Read on...
ChickLit Café Review
I am THRILLED to share ChickLit Cafe's 5 star review of The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid: HERE IT IS! The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid by Ronna Russell is a compelling, engaging and unrestrained memoir about the author’s journey...
Recovering from Religion
There is help! Recovering from Religion is a website dedicated to helping folks deal with coming out of extreme religion. As many of us know, it is a traumatic transition, rife with fears and loss. IF YOU NEED HELP follow the link below to find online HOTLINE,...
Read moreI’m just going to put this out there… I have some interesting connections! That’s all I’m saying.
That was the first time in my entire life I had ever spent the afternoon in bed with a man, been rolled around and loved from head to toe, with no thoughts of anything or anyone else, with nowhere else to be. The first time my 46 year old body had ever received that much…
Required Reading — Holden-and-Camille.com
I'm just going to put this out there... I have some interesting connections! That's all I'm saying. That was the first time in my entire life I had ever spent the afternoon in bed with a man, been rolled around and loved from head to toe, with no thoughts of anything...
Video!
A video reading from Chapter 2 The Rapture and Other Bedtime Stories- an excerpt from my memoir The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid. [wpvideo QEmcreYr ] https://www.facebook.com/ronna.russell.1/videos/2436992896313916/ Order here:...
Gathering Volumes Bookstore EVENT
I am doing my first real event at Gathering Volumes Book Store on May 18th! Gathering Volumes is located at: 196 East South Boundary Perrysburg OH 43551 Moms' Night Out Literary Edition Saturday May 18 | 6:30PM - 9:00PM Join us for a fun, bookish Moms' Night Out! •...
Love Note #2
From a friend on Twitter: Hi, Ronna! I am thoroughly enjoying your memoir. I can’t put it down. As an exvangelical, I can of course relate. BUT I had no idea how much I would relate to your marriage situation. It is almost identical to what I went through in my second...
New Review from Life After 40
Life After 40 is one of my favorite blogs and has kindly written a review for The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid. Check out his stories about leaving fundamentalism while you're there! Life After 40 review.
Love Notes
I received this message on Facebook and got permission to share. These notes come to me occasionally and remind me why it is so important to SPEAK. For years I would have given anything to know I wasn't alone; my heart is full knowing that somebody out there needs to...
A Little Heat
The owner of Spiritual Abuse.org is a staunch defender of my memoir and I am grateful. This is her Facebook post from yesterday (could be she is getting a little resistance?) My response to anyone upset about my book is: You're welcome! I wrote it for you! The...
Big Fat Margarita
The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid is moving up Amazon's ranking, thanks to you kind folks! Therefore I am having a margarita as big as my head. So much thanks and love for your support and encouragement and willingness to part with $20! Order here...
Happy Release Day!
Did everyone get their book? The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid is officially on the market! Review link.
Reinvention
See, when you realize that everything you have been told is a lie or at least just plain wrong then you find yourself free to decide what makes sense to you, how you want to live, and what feels right.
Goodreads Reviews
There are a few reviews up for The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid on Goodreads. Thanks to the reader who have added their thoughts-I am so grateful. To those who have ordered the book-I welcome your thoughts, as well! Read 'em here!
👍🏻 OR 👎🏻
Would you buy this fabulous dragon mug with the book? (There's a reason for the dragon.) *giveaway coming soon!
10 DAYS TO GO!
The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher's Kid has taken approximately one and a half eternities to be conjured but we are finally to the countdown stage! Amazon moved up the ship date, so those of you who preordered should have your copy by the release date of...
Spiritual Abuse.org Lists Uncomfortable Confessions!
Spiritual Abuse.org is a powerful website (and Facebook page) for those of us in recovery from the United Pentecostal church, The site's creator, Lois Gibson works hard to share our stories and promote positive healing. She has been incredibly supportive of me for the...
Mirror Mirror
Women who grab power, or try, are generally reviled or at least held in suspicion (see the day's news for examples). Mistrusted. This was true throughout our long history, when stepmothers were always evil and maidens always powerless and pure. When independent or...
Words from Anneliese Kamola
My friend, Anneliese, has been in the writing trenches with me since I first showed up at The Narrative Project with a fistful of blog posts. Anneliese is a singular talent, in both writing and editing and... dare I say.... clairvoyance. That's the only word that...
Forbidden Fruit
I am the Serpent, I am I am Now everyone knows that the serpent is more subtle than any beast which the Lord God made. I am a beast I am I am Which is what I’m thinking as I slither and slink like vapor through the bows of the bewitchment tree and smell the woman...
Signed Copy Anyone?
I have a few books left in the box! I can ship a signed copy for a flat $20. Email me at ronnarussell23@gmail.com for details!
Reviews
ChickLit Cafe Amazon Reviews Goodreads The Bookworm Drinketh In Bed With Married Women Life After 40 Holden & Camille Interview/Mindshift Podcast Surviving Church and Childhood Author Reviews: I am so grateful to the authors who took the time to read my manuscript...
The Virginity Chronicles
Hey Hey! I'm in another anthology! The Virginity Chronicles: an Anthology of First Times released on Kindle today! Self-explanatory. Sure to make you laugh, cringe, and cry. The Virginity Chronicles I'm so excited to be included with these brave storytellers!
THEY CAME!
Get yours here: The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher’s Kid
The Uncomfortable Confessions Of a Preacher’s Kid is on Amazon!
I kinda can't believe this is happening. My book is available on Amazon! ORDER HERE! REVIEWS Full Cover:
The Savage Price Of Piety
One of the great things about having adult children is when they share the music they listen to or the books they read or the things that make 'em happy. They grow up good if you don't kill 'em. Which brings me to the song of the day: Poor Isaac by The Airborne Toxic...
Exposure On Ex-Christian.net
ExChristian.net was the very first place I ever published. The encouragement I got from the readers (some of whom became friends) is why I wrote this book. So grateful. The ExChristian website is a safe place to tell your story and to encourage others. I had no idea...
True Stories
True Stories Anthology is a collection of stories by the members of The Narrative Project, including one by yours truly, called Close Call, a chapter from my memoir The Uncomfortable Confessions Of Preacher's Kid. All the writers are writing or have written a memoir...
YAY! A Review!
Reviews of The Uncomfortable Confessions Of A Preacher's Kid are rolling in! I am excited to share what Valerie Tarico (author of Trusting Doubt) has to say: "Caught between the archaic religious dictates of her Pentecostal family and the complexities of the world...
Splish Splash
So I was lowering down into a hot bubble bath as you do in the middle of a Monday and this email from my publisher popped up: Your book is available for preorder NOW and ONLY at:...
Closer to Love
I don't know about you, but when I find myself pushing others away it is always- ALWAYS- because doubt and insecurity have crept out of the tunnels and popped up like bean sprouts in my head. Self-protectiveness lowers like a dark veil. Shields up. I don't know why...
Deconstructing My Religion – CBS News
The show looks at what happens when people have doubts about the faith tradition in which they were raised, and how the sharing of personal stories can be a means to heal from spiritual trauma. — Read on www.cbsnews.com/video/deconstructing-my-religion/
Finding God
The following is a story shared with me by reader, Steve Slocum. His story is similar to many of us: ostracism, family trauma, the reinvention of belief. And a long, hard path to healing. I am grateful for his willingness to share his story here. Please allow me to...
A Braided Chain
When I was a kid, Dad always had a new car. This time it was a long, cool, blue Oldsmobile with brand new technology-an 8 track cassette player. A cassette of sinful radio hits was included, forbidden music I couldn't wait to hear. As we cruised along, noses full of...
The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid
The final, as-good-as-I-can-make-it version of my memoir, The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid, just swooped through space to my publisher. After weeks (months?) of editing, reading, proofing, re-reading, re-editing, re-proofing, I am STOKED to be done,...
Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces
Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces by Dawn Davies grabs your heart from the first page, the first sentence even, and doesn't let go until the exquisite final paragraph. In turns pee-your-pants hilarious, philosophical, horrifying, wounded, and healed, this close up...
Song Of the Day
What song haunts you? What song sums up your life? What tunes runs through your head on an endless loop and will not be forgotten? River of Dreams by Billy Joel is the one for me. Today, anyway. What's on your mind today?
Peace Be With You
My new husband goes to a nice little community church. He would never pressure me to go along, but I could tell he wanted to introduce me to his friends there. How bad could it be? Hubby isn't religious, so the church can't be too dogmatic. He goes to remember his...
WHOOP! an announcement
Hey, Hey! I just signed a publishing contract. My memoir, The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid, will be out on April 4, 2019. I am THRILLED, to say the least. My heart is full of gratitude for this journey and for all of you who have read along and...
Girls Walks Out of a Bar, a memoir
Big hard questions are making my head spin. Why is it that the importance of the separation of church and state isn't discussed all the time, loudly? Where is the discussion of balance between the fundamental right of religious freedom and protecting children from the...
Feeling Free
A couple of weeks ago I found myself free to do as I pleased for a few hours on a summer afternoon near a beach. What more could a person want? Souls savor stolen moments. Signage at the top of the steep wooden staircase read: Clothing optional No gawking No cameras I...
Eruptive Uncoupling
On the eve of my wedding, the day before my second marriage, I got another chapter published. Ironically, it is a painful chapter about the demise of my first. I am blissfully, deeply happy now in ways I didn't know happiness existed. A look back reminds me how far I...
This Place Feels Sticky
I remembered something. There was this weird thing that happened to me a lot in the Pentecostal church, so it must have happened to others, too. Maybe it happened to me more often since I ran wild on bible college campuses as a child. I don't know. Men would offer to...
Just Relax
Just relax the voice inside my head barks. I am relaxed, I snap back. I mean, I’m trying. It’s harder than you think, I whine to myself. I held my breath, standing on the brink of something. Shut out of something. Stumbling in the dark, I scraped against a crack in...
And Another Thing…
Clay of Life After 40 is on a roll... Men, Myths and Sex is a worthy read about the hang ups many of us carry. I hope he will continue writing about how to open up to pleasure.
What’s Inappropriate, Again?
Fellow ex-Christian blogger Clay of Life After 40 shared an intriguing post today. While his story is very different from my own, we have come to many of the same conclusions and followed somewhat similar paths. (I previously shared his post called My Crazy...
Wolf Pack
On May 16th, Abby Wambach, US soccer superstar, gave an inspiring commencement address to the women of Barnard College, encouraging them, and women everywhere, to grasp this moment in time. We have the opportunity to reshape our world, to grab power and create the...
Hey, I got a chapter published!
A few days ago I stuck my neck out and submitted a chapter for publication to the online magazine Feminine Collective. They said yes! Fair warning, the content is erotic. Proceed with caution if you are squeamish about such things. If not, follow the link below to...
A Conversation, Lightly Edited
Beta Reader, male: I hope you and yours are well. I just was curious, how is your book coming? I really enjoyed reading the chapters you sent. Have a wonderful day. Me: My rough draft is done! I am in revisions now. Hoping to be ready for a publisher by the end...
Isolation
I'm thinking about isolation. Not what you do on a Sunday morning? Just me? Several recent conversations with my sisters and my mother have reminded me how isolated we all were from each other in years past. The stage was set within our family for absolute obedience...
Dear Neglected Blog…
My book, The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid, is coming along, slowly but surely. Turns out I had to learn how to write a book first. Thanks to Cami Ostman and the writers of Memory to Memoir I have gained invaluable support and feedback on this...
Super Girl
A few years ago, my daughter Emily, our very own Super Girl, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since then, she has shown everyone who knows her what it means to live your best life. Emily shows up; she's all in. I watch in awe. She has begun to write...
Public Service Announcement
A reader kindly sent me the link below. If you think you or someone you love might be involved in a cult, this website will break it down for you. It lists, in plain English and straightforward detail, the warning signs of both leadership and followers. As an added...
Faith Healing, Chickenshit and Bears
Well, this is weird. It seems I have created a blog for my own personal use that I now handle with care. In the beginning, this was a place to write my stories and get out my rants; my assumption was no one would ever read them, so I did not bother to filter. I was...
Refuge
I’ll never forget the day I found my apartment. I had been desperately searching for a place to live. Since I wanted the divorce, it was up to me to move out. We had been living in the old house together for months and were to the breaking point. It was time to...
Fat White Royal Wally
I don't know about you, but I didn't sleep much last night. More dead black men killed by police officers. Children traumatized for life. Five dead police officers. Our beloved America feels like a dark, somber, hopeless place. Now that these killings are on...
I Have A Demon Portal Where???
Before I launch my tirade, a caveat: I do realize that most Christians do not believe it is possible to get demons in your vagina from dildos. I know. I know. But there is a point in the works here, so please bear with me. The following article appeared on...
15 Screwed Up Catholic Ideas That May Affect Your Sex Life Even If You’re Not Religious
Dr. Valerie Tarico is at the forefront of the religious recovery movement. Her eloquent writings rock my world. She has done it again and generously given me permission to share. I know from personal experience that sexual damage can be a nasty side effect of...
On the Children
Many thoughts these days about family and kids leaving the nest. I am down to one, the last of four, living at home. It's freeing in many ways, but with unexpected emotions zinging around. I could not be prouder of them. They survived their upbringing. They have...
Ode to Broken Commitments
I came across this blog post on good ol' Facebook and it stopped me in my tracks. So many of my own experiences and those I grew up around are piercingly described here, as is the truth their effect on young lives. Please take a few minutes to follow the link below...
Yes To Hope
Yesterday while driving around town I spotted a sign outside a business that said, "There is no hope in logic." This sentence jumped into my brain and ran around in circles. What the heck does that even mean? I wondered. In the interest of full disclosure, this...
But I WANT It…
As a child raised in the extreme isolationism and clamped-down atmosphere of the United Pentecostal Church, I had a deep, insatiable desire for worldly things. The state of females’ appearance was rigidly controlled: dress length to the knees (even for children), no...
Marriage Equality
While most folks are breathing a sigh of relief at the better-late-than-never decision of SCOTUS regarding marriage equality, the reaction of some reminds me like a punch in the gut of what it really means to be fundamentalist christian. I am reminded why I fled so...
Fathers’ Day
I am contemplating fathers on this quiet afternoon. My own, with his smarts, drive and ambition, had very little time for hanging out. Moments alone with him were precious and few, treasured. He had the ability to impart gentle wisdom and great affection and had a...
Addendum to My Crazy Vasectomy Story
Here it is...
My Crazy Vasectomy Story
You just have to read this story... Stay tuned for the follow-up...
Intermission
I don’t know who created this diagram, but it explained my life to me in one picture. At this point, my story meanders through the maze of how my experiences shaped my choices and how I corrected course. Because it involves my children and former spouse and current...
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
While I was busy making bad choices, so was Preacher Dad. While Mom and sister were out of town, PD’s friend showed up. They retired together to my parent’s bedroom. PD saw the look of shock on my face and said, “Oh, it’s just like when you have friend over.” #1. ...
Close Call
Another new city, another new state, the third one in high school alone. My sister had tickets to Hawaii and was taking my mother along for a vacation. Preacher Dad took them to the airport in San Francisco, a couple of hours away. He wouldn’t let me come along and...
Lost Years
Preacher Dad was persona non grata at Jackson College of Ministries, so we up and moved all the way across the country to Conqueror’s Bible College in Portland, OR. The day we pulled into the parking lot, after a five day cross country road trip, my sister looked at...
Arkansas Interlude
Time for an Arkansas interlude, an intermission if you will, from the raw, soul-scraping day to day of my childhood. There was Grandpa. There was Uncle Jerry. There was Berryville and Oak Grove. Ponies, gardens, morning glories, underground cellars and tree...
Silence and the Stage
Preacher Dad decided he needed to be around more. My mom had been a good mother in our early childhood but it was time for him to take over. Her usefulness as a parent had been served and she could step aside, he told her. He took a job as the vice-president of...
Missionaries In The Basement
When I was growing up we had missionaries in the basement. They came and went with their stories and pictures; invading my play space and filling my head with images of other people and places. Preacher Dad was employed by "Headquarters," the very big and important...
The Rapture and Other Bedtime Stories…
The second coming of Christ was presented as a real and present danger of everyday life. Jesus could return at any moment, with one loud trumpet blast by way of announcement. If you were not saved you would be left on earth, which would become hell, complete with...
Loose Demons
Church was alternately deathly boring, terrifying and randomly exciting. One of the exciting events was when Brother Romig, a little wiry guy with horn-rimmed glasses and slicked back hair, would become moved by the spirit and cannon-shoot down the left aisle of the...