Linda Nelson

This is such a sad thing to have to talk about. I know I’ve had my share of experience with drug addiction via my son. It is such a shame to watch a loved one throw their life away over some petty substance. It doesn’t even make them a better person, actually it does the opposite. It creates a monster.

Some people don’t understand addiction. They think that the person can mearly stop using and things will get better for them. That is easier said than done.

The worst part of addiction is the fact that they have lost every ounce of will power they ever had. It is stripped away more and more each time they use. That which is taken away in a matter of days or hours of use will take years and years to restore.

It is crippling. They eventually lose everything they ever held dear to them. Even loved ones.

Did you know that when a person has been clean for just 28 days they are at the highest risk for a drug overdose?

This is caused by their tolerance level to the substance that begins to lower and they have not yet made the connection. So they go on to use, thinking they should be taking the same dosage they were using before they stopped. They do this not knowing that their bodies can no longer handle this amount of the substance. Most will overdose and many of those will die.

So when you pop that ibuprophen today for that headache, take the time to think about what it must be like for an addict. The pain they go through while they withdraw from their substance. I hear it is worse than a migraine. It makes their whole body hurt.

Fortunately I have not had to witness an overdose. I hope I never have to. But I am worried. My son is about to enter a rehab once again. This time it is one of those 28 day programs, and knowing what I know now about how dangerous these 28 day programs are, it kind of scares me.

If only there were more programs out there, and they were all on the same page, with longer terms to keep our loved ones clean.

They are right to say that drug addiction has become a national health problem.

ROW 80 Check-In:

Last week I finished up the edits to Aaron & Keja, which is the first book in my fantasy series, Orgarlan Saga. This week I will begin the edits on Witch Book. That is the second book in the series. After which I should be able to begin my plotting of the next book in the series.

My goal is to some how get all the characters from both of the books into the next book. Will I succeed? I don’t know. But I will sure as hell try.

Overdose Awareness Day in London a time to remember those who have died, talk about prevention (lfpress.com)
Opioid Overdose Toolkit: Facts for Community Members (adai.typepad.com)
Addiction Treatment Doesn’t Have To Kill (psychologytoday.com)
Prescription Drug Deaths Rise Among Women – Novus Detox Calls for Action (prweb.com)

Oh here comes another long weekend. Let’s see how much work I can get done. I don’t think I have actually taken time off this summer to relax and play.

Last weekend I was busy making peach preserves. They came out yummy. This was a neat way to use up those peaches I still had hanging around in my freezer from last year. The new crop of peaches was ready and we needed the room in the freezer for those, especially since I had to pick the whole tree. They were ready. That was 13 gallons of peaches frozen for this year.

I use these peaches throughout the year to make peach coffee cake. It is one of my specialties.

This weekend I will be trying to come up with my own recipe for Peach Jelly. I have about half a gallon of peach juice left over from last weekend, so I’m going to give it a shot. I’ll let you know how I make out. If it works then it may follow with my own personal recipe.

I haven’t even played my well-loved game of World of Warcraft in weeks. I’ve been so busy giving my slush pile of works a once over /make over, if possible.

Which leads me to my Check in…

ROW80 Check In:

So far I have improved Friends of Choice, Road Salt, and Aaron & Keja. Next up will be Witch Book. I will begin tackling this book in the coming days. Once that is done I can hit the keyboard running. Maybe –

I will still need to write a plot outline. Plots are so important to writing fantasy. I also want to try and merge the two previous books together. Have all the characters meet up somehow or someway. I’m not sure how it will happen or why. But as they say – It’s in the cards.

Then I have to decide what the title will be. Should it be Dragon Claw? Or, how about Ky’ debaul and the Beast Master? Or, maybe Cat & the Phoenix?

I don’t know… I may have to write part of the plot outline before I can actually pick a title.

All I know is that it will be the third book in my Orgarlan Series.

Will there be any romance?

I’m not sure – maybe – since I’m supposed to be learning to write romances – right? So I’m guessing someone needs to fall in love with someone.

That also means that there has to be a strong ending to the story and it has to be happy.

I was going to make this be a six book series, but now I’m not sure if I will be able to keep the story going if I give it a happy ending. I mean, happy ending and all – who wants to ruin that?