serenity deck

The Bahamas and Alcoholism – 36 Years Sober in Paradise…

  When my dear friend Marilynย invited me to share on the Sanford House blog, I had to struggle for words, even though I am an author and writing has always come easy for me. Marilyn and I have a lot in common, but she was in active addiction when we met on a small island […]

Crying in Rehab – The Emotional Thaw

It’s springtime in Michigan. Early yet – the trees are budding, but there is still snow on the ground in places where the sun doesn’t reach. We all tiptoe around, hoping it isn’t a false spring, but knowing there will probably be at least one more “surprise” snow storm between the Ides of March and […]

crocus yellow

Secrets and Truth โ€“ Writing it Down in a Recovery Journal

  Remember when you were twelve and kept a Dear Diary with a little gold lock and key? Remember the feeling of daring and hesitation when you wrote exactly how you felt about the boy who sat before you in science class or how mad you were at your best friend? Writing a journal in […]

Singing the Praises of the Adult Art Therapy Coloring Book

  I am an art therapist. When I tell people about what I do, I get a lot of: “What the heck is that?” “Like on Law & Order?” “Oh, how New Age!” (Answers to those questions later).   Art Therapy… We art therapists are a small community, and our work is often either unseen […]

crayons