About

A private journal of recovery documenting how it feels to be newly sober and very, very grateful for each day of sobriety. I am a 45+ woman, a sometime political activist and a professional writer who lives in the Overberg region of South Africa

22 Responses to “About”

  1. Sober at Sundown Says:

    Hi,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting.

    Congratulations on your 5 months!

  2. Tim Owen Says:

    I was so pleased to chance upon your blog.
    I feel affinity because I too pine for the dramatic landscapes of childhood. We had a smallholding on the Cape Flats. Self and best friend(Where is Johan now? Hope luck and his sense of humour got him where he deserved) used to roam the scrubby dunes looking for adventure. All gone now under urban sprawl.
    I’ve lived in England since 1975. To preserve sanity I’ve forced myself to notice cloudscapes, textured granite walls, patchwork fields, summer meadows, sombre winter light, bare trees, racing clouds, smoke from cottage chimneys, rows of snuggling houses. Not to see obese, tattooed bodies, junk-food dulled eyes, cheap and nasty architecture.
    Your life sounds idyllic. The Overberg – that name resonates.
    Actually, it wasn’t pure chance that led me to your blog. I have a Google alert posted for any mention of Alice Munro – my writing hero.
    I too serve at the shrine of fiction – where offerings with the merest whiff of mendacity get rejected(emotional truth?)
    Do you write short stories or novels? I see you mention Susan Hill’s blog. Have you seen what she says about short stories? – that they are hardest of all to get right, and anyway there’s no market. (Are you doing her creative writing course? ) But I love short stories. Even the best novels have padding. Alice Munro, it seems to me, gets it right by writing condensed novels – poems in a way. Apparently she takes 6-8 months per story. (She’s put down her pen now, sadly, says she can’t perform at that level anymore.)
    Would love to hear from you.
    Tim

  3. Slutty McWhore Says:

    Hello, I just wanted to say that I really like your writing. It’s very poetic, and descriptive. Oh, God, those are such crappy adjectives, but I’m tired and I can’t think of any better ones.

    I wish you would get “out and about” a bit more in the blogosphere. You write so beautifully, yet you keep yourself hidden away. It’s a shame, as more people should be exposed to you. I only found your blog because I noticed you’d linked to me.

  4. bibomedia Says:

    :)

  5. Catherine Says:

    I happened upon your blog by accident and as with some things – good can come from that – your writing is really very lovely, I feel as if I am there with you as you describe your ridgeback or the mountains. I agree with McWhore – others need to discover you, I will be back to visit. Cat

  6. LFeeney Says:

    I am enjoying your Blog all the way from Massachesetts, USA. I have a google alert for Roberto Bolano- that’s how i came across your blog.
    L

  7. Emily Says:

    I love your blog! Although some of the writing fonts are very tiny and hard to read without squinting. I believe I recognize you from SC :) I love your writing style.

  8. Ann Says:

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoy your writing style and am always happy to find people that are winning the battle against alcohol. Ann

  9. Grace Says:

    Thankyou for calling into my blog, I have heard that the sleep disturbances can be prolonged, I look forward to a normal sleep pattern, its worth waiting! I have read a little of yours and look forward to reading more!

  10. Rich Matthews Says:

    Keep the Faith.

    Rich

  11. Banana Girl Says:

    Love your blog and post for the day. Emotional Archaeology. I love that and will use it on my blog soon I know. Full credits of course. Oceans of Sober Dreams to you!

  12. susan Says:

    So it’s six months now, but I wasn’t a math major.

    Good! Hurray! Doing the Happy dance. Keep on doing this, one day at a time, you are a remarkable woman.

  13. Atiyanna Says:

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and introducing yourself. I have been spending a little bit of time reading yours and “getting to know you”. Welcome to sobriety my friend.
    Love and Kindness,
    ~A

  14. xashx Says:

    I did a search for “Leave it all behind again” and found your blog. Bolano is a personal hero of mine as well.
    Thanks for your blog,

    Kindest Regards,

    Ashley Dean

  15. Glimmer Says:

    Love it!

  16. Got2BGrateful Says:

    Your writing is beautifully inspiring. I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog. Blessings to you!

  17. james fredericks Says:

    Just starting my blog,will be following yours.

  18. chris w Says:

    I’ve been following along at FB but am sick to death of FB so have created a bookmark to follow along daily. Thanks for being such an inspirational part of my recovery…my life.

  19. Bob Omohundro Says:

    Hi Mary

    Nice web site.

    Take Care

    Bob O.

  20. Patti Says:

    Thank you for sharing. I am in Al-anon.

  21. james fredericks Says:

    Hi Mary
    One of our friends is from down near Durban, she was just at the house to visit my wife. As I sat reading your blog I received a letter inviting me to be be a member of a professional delegation to Johannesburg next February. Small world.
    I get nostalgic every fall. “…and the days dwindle down or so the song goes.
    love your web site.

    JF

  22. Mike Mather Says:

    Hi,

    I’ve found your blog via about.com/alcoholism and other steps. The full moon was beautiful here in Australia, too. Love your writing and will keep posted.
    Love Always
    Mike

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