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COMING IN 2022:

FOF (Futility of F***edness). This series of books contain short stories, poems, thoughts, and directions to help in Canada on today’s concerns. The fictional stories arise from my experiences, dreams, and nightmares, and living with ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, RSD, and PTSD.

• FOF #2 – Topics include Equality, Child Sexual Abuse, and Drug Dependence.

COMING IN 2023:

CHASING HIPPIENESS – Based on my experiences of hitchhiking around North America as a teenager, this fictional series follows two diversely different cousins, Maureen (Mo) from Brantford, Ontario and Dawn from Buffalo, New York, on their comical and action-packed adventure in the 1970’s.

• CHASING HIPPIENESS – BEYOND BUZZED – The adventure continues as the cousins work in a resort in the Florida Everglades, before having to run from danger.

QUEENIE’S STREET – An older Christian woman lives on the streets of a small town. Follow her journey as she ends up living on the streets, the perils she faces, and her journey to accept help. This creative tale comes from the Author’s own experiences of homelessness, danger, and struggle.

COMING IN 2024:

FOF (Futility of F***edness). This series of books contain short stories, poems, thoughts, and directions to help in Canada on today’s concerns. The fictional stories arise from my experiences, dreams, and nightmares, and living with ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, RSD, and PTSD.

• FOF #3 – Topics include PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Self-Acceptance, and Bullying.

SUMMER GYPSIES I – An uplifting tale of two teenagers travelling to meet relatives for the first time. Their journey is an exciting puzzle-solving, treasure-hunting, exploration across Ontario, and Canada.

I have been talking about it forever, but finally, the first book in the Chasing Hippieness series, under the pseudonym Lynn Ev, is finally available through me or on Amazon.

CHASING HIPPIENESS – Based on my experiences of hitchhiking around North America as a teenager, this fictional series follows two diversely different cousins, Maureen (Mo) from Brantford, Ontario and Dawn from Buffalo, New York, on their comical and action-packed adventure in the 1970’s.

• CHASING HIPPIENESS – ALMOST AMAZING – The adventure begins as the cousins travel from New York to Florida, meeting a variety of dangerous and friendly characters, and arriving in a resort in the Florida Everglades.

MY FIRST BOOK IS AVAILABLE:

FOF (Futility of F***edness). This series of books contain short stories, poems, thoughts, and directions to help in Canada on today’s concerns. The fictional stories arise from my experiences, dreams, and nightmares, and living with ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, RSD, and PTSD.

• FOF #1 – Short stories include: Hazardous Wishes, The B & G Special, The One That Got Away, and Please Mama. The topics are many, including Safe Drinking Water, Missing Persons/Human Trafficking,  and Homelessness.

UK LISTING…. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1989622119

US LISTING … https://www.amazon.com/dp/1989622119

DENMARK… https://www.amazon.de/dp/1989622119

FRANCE… https://www.amazon.es/dp/1989622119

SPAIN … https://www.amazon.es/dp/1989622119

ITALY… https://www.amazon.it/dp/1989622119

JAPAN … https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/1989622119

CANADA … https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1989622119

DRAWING CONTEST

Do you have an ability to draw? Do you like to draw? Would you like to see one or more of your drawings appear in a 24 page Colouring Book?

Starting in the fall of 2023, this series of Family Colouring Books promotes the development of Self-Love and Self Worth.

FCB #1 – Grey’s Son – The first in the series touches on Self-Awareness. Grey’s Son is a squirrel who is totally dependent on others for his care. When a storm separates him from his family will he learn to be independent or will he continue to be unaware. Closing Date: APRIL 23, 2023

FCB #2 – Five Little Ants – The second in the series touches on Self-Acceptance. Marigold and her 4 siblings embark on a dangerous journey to reach safety. The conflict between herself and her older brother may endanger them and their young brothers and sister. Closing Date: DECEMBER 31, 2023

Originally published in FOF #2 and FOF #3, an entry form, contest details, and a copy of the stories can be obtained, free of charge, by sending an email, with contact information to MsAnnEv23@gmail.com.

Every day, I have so many reasons to be thankful.

My children will always be my greatest sunshine. To you, your spouses and your children, I am forever grateful for the joy you bring into my life. Thank you.

My Dad, you will forever be my Hero.

None of my stories would be shared, if not for the gift of my angels, Alena and Roy. You spared me from my darkness by remembering me. I thank you. My family thanks you. I hope my readers thank you. I will be forever grateful for your interruption.

I have been blessed with healing through the assistance of many organizations: CMHA; SAC; TOPS; and CR – Celebrate Recovery, to name a few. Thank you. To the many ‘Misbehaving Ladies and Gentlemen’ I am blessed to call Family, Counsellors, Friends, Peers, and Performers, I am grateful for every one of you.

To my Mom, I hope to be more like you, Forever Happy. Thank you for everything.

I do not know if Anxiety is common with ADHD. Is the Anxiety I struggle with associated with my years of living and struggling with undiagnosed ADHD? Did it arise from a trauma I experienced at a young age? Have I experienced many hardships because of the ADHD? Do I struggle because of ADHD or Anxiety? Is this why people confuse me?

Some say Anxiety is common in ADHD, some say victimization is common in ADHD, some say addiction and other bad choices are common in ADHD, but it is also important to note that CREATIVITY is common in ADHD, Outside of the Box thinking is common in ADHD, and developing exceptional coping skills is also common with ADHD.

When it was first suggested I may have ADHD, I said no way, I am not physically hyperactive, but the reality is my brain is always in hyper-overdrive. Taking the test was one WOW moment after another. So many of the aspects of ADHD are things I have struggled with all my life. How could this be?

A typical day for me could include:

• Fill the sink with hot soapy water (of course after draining last night’s water because I did not get the dishes done).
• While the dishes soak, toast a bagel and eat a quarter.
• Head to the can, brush my teeth, and I might as well empty and re-organize my medicine cabinet because I cannot find my dental floss.
• Remembering my bagel, I return to the kitchen, eat another quarter, while I remove the dining room tablecloth and take it to the laundry room, where a wet and stinky load needs to be redone. So, I toss in the tablecloth, restart, and turn on the dryer to fluff a load of towels.
• Taking a moment, I take a deep breath, and try to create a plan for the day. I know it works best, if I make one, if I stick to it, unless I lose it.
• On my computer to make my list, I get distracted and play some games.
• Feeling hungry, I head to the kitchen, to the once again cold water sitting with the dishes, so I drain and refill the sink. I decide to do the dishes while I make some lunch. I reheat some soup to have with my half-eaten bagel, do a couple dishes, eat, add my lunch dishes, then hit the can.
• My toilet seat is covered with my cabinet items, so I shove them all back in, forget about organizing, I need to use my toilet.
• Heading back to the kitchen, I glance in my bedroom, step in and make the bed.

And so my day goes on. Anyone with ADHD can relate. By the end of this day, this is what I might accomplish:

• One stripped Bed – I decided it needed washing so the sheets are on the floor in the laundry room
• Towels in a basket waiting to be folded
• A third washing of the wet and stinky clothes
• Washed my dishes but still need to rinse
• Worked on a story (did not finish)
• Sorted coats in the front closet, picked one to donate and put it in the large bag by the door.

Typically, I am exhausted, and nothing has been completed, but there is always tomorrow.

Losing 50 pounds is not about improving my outer body, but it is about ending my unhealthy relationship with Junk Food.

This is a journey I must take. I Believe I CAN lose 50 after 50.

It is time for me to terminate my love affair with:

• Junk Food
• Unhealthy, sedentary behaviour
• Excessive anything and everything; and
• Ignoring my Condition

It is time for me to initiate a love affair with:

• Myself
• My Body, AS IT IS
• My Body, as it can be, AND
• My WORLD. The Wonder, The Horror, and the Reality.

The best advice I received, and one that anyone intending to lose weight should heed, is always follow your Doctor’s recommendation. Never begin a weight loss program until after you complete and obtain the results of a full physical by your medical team.

I will try anything, including:

• Change my diet
• Stop drinking soda (but I love the zazz of Jamaican Ginger Beer)
• Get more exercise
• Make a Meal Plan (BORING!)
• Take supplements
• Join a support group
• Drink Water (BLEHHHHHH)
• Explore rituals to ward off fat growing curses (Interesting)
• Get in touch with nature
• Dance and Move – Anyway, Anyhow

As a child in the 60’s I grew reading about the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Civil Rights Protests, The Assassination of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Woodstock, and the first landing on the moon.

I listened to The Animals, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Herman’s Hermits, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, The Who, any Rock and Roll group, and The Beach Boys.

We watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Dr. No, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Graduate, Psycho, Easy Rider, The Hustler, The Sound of Music, Planet of the Apes, The Monkees, Twilight Zone, The Lucy Show, Laugh-In, Bonanza, and Star Trek.

Everything I read, saw, and heard, is a part of who I am as a person and a writer.

I will be forever grateful for the Services I have been able to access to help me find my way to a healthier future. Thank you and thank you Lord.

CMHA – Canadian Mental Health Association – I am who I am today because of the programs and the counselling I received. THANK YOU FOREVER. TYL.

CR – Celebrate Recovery – Without exploring what my Hang ups, Hurts, and Habits were I never would have been able to pursue the Professional Help I needed. I am grateful for all the SUPPORTIVE INDIVIDUALS who helped me on this Journey.

SAC – Sexual Assault Centre – The kindness, gentleness and patience I received has impacted every aspect of my future. The Stigma associated with my Past will never stop me again. Thank you so very much.

St. Leonard’s – It was interesting. I am glad you are able to help so many.

Nova Vitae – Your Seeking Safety Program, helped me to identify a serious area of concern. We are blessed to have your services in our community.

TOPS – Taking Off Pound Sensibly – The Support has been incredible. I am so very blessed to have such amazing people that I can call friends. Thank you.

As part of my healing journey, I needed to build Emotional Tolerance.

After spending years, hiding in plain sight, it was time for me to relearn how to be me, how to be around people, and how to do it without being overwhelmed.

My wonderful, amazing counsellor challenged me to do things that I would normally never do. These are the things I have done to date:

• In a restaurant for breakfast from a menu that said 2 eggs any style, I ordered one fried and one sunny-side up. Asked if I wanted white or whole wheat toast, I asked for one of each.
• While wearing short pants, I wore one white and one black sock.
• I asked for directions to a location right in front of me. (This was fun and it was amazing how many people tried to help but did not know where it was).
• While walking, say hello to strangers (most usually say hello back).
• Went to the mall, entered several young people’s stores, and held up a style I would never wear and asked the sales clerk for their opinion (Sadly they all tried to convince me it was fabulous).
• Walking past someone moving into a new home, I waved and welcomed them to the neighbourhood (I got a happy smile – I think I would do this one again).
• Walking past people sitting on a bus bench, nod and say hello to them. Walked around the block came to them again and asked if they had seen my sister. (It was fascinating how many said No).

Stepping out of my normal, quiet routine was challenging at first, but by the time I had done a few, I found myself excited to try another challenge.