Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
There’s a difference between not being a people pleaser and then repelling people. You do not repel people, in fact quite the opposite, as evident by how many people frequent your threads and enjoy talking with you here.I should also mention that I’m single with no kids.
I wonder if there’s a connection.![]()
![]()
I hope that you’re able to return to it if that’s what you want to do in the future. If not, hopefully you can look back fondly on those memories.I miss being able to sing
Not really. If someone in my life is pushy or demanding, I'll just quietly withdraw.As I’m writing this list, I’m thinking, are there people who this just comes naturally to? Like if someone in their lives is pushy or demanding, they have no trouble telling them to step back and if they can’t respect their space, they can’t be in their life, and that’s that. And then they don’t think twice about it. Are their people like that? Or do people get to be like that at an early age because they’ve had to sink or swim? Because they’ve had to learn those coping skills early on and they are just really good at them at a young age for that reason?
Exhale. Inhale. Repeat.Hello, It’s Me…
No, not Adele. Just me. I do like that song though. I wish I could sing like her. Or like BadAmy. If you were here when she was here, you might remember a Litster who could siiiing. I mean, really sing. She was so good. Can anybody here really sing? Well… I know one person — yes I’m looking at YOU. There are actually a number of people here who can.
If you can sing, and you want to let us hear it, leave a vocoroo. I’d love to hear. !! I know there’s real talent here.
Ok. That was a complete tangent.
I was starting to explain why I’ve been mostly away for a while.
I was spending time with THAT FAMILY MEMBER who makes me feel the broadest range of emotions of anyone in my life. We all have someone like that in our lives. For me, it’s my dad..
My family group is dysfunctional, meaning there have been a few problematic relationships. Being family oriented, it was something of a struggle to deal with people who saw nothing wrong with the status quo and vilified any member of the tribe who spoke against or tried to change the established norm. Trying to maintain interaction was stressful, and exhausting, and took a heavy toll.I guess as far as a prompt goes, I’d welcome you to share about whether you can relate to having that person in your life who has caused you to have the most therapy bills or that you’ve had to figure out how to manage. How did you do it? What were the challenges? Have you managed some victories? What do you still need to do to protect yourself l, if anything.?
For me, it was both my parents. Mom was shot and killed when I was 18, six months after HS graduation. Mom and dad were divorced for many years prior. He lived 24 hour drive away in Ohio and died a year later of cancer.I guess as far as a prompt goes, I’d welcome you to share about whether you can relate to having that person in your life who has caused you to have the most therapy bills or that you’ve had to figure out how to manage. How did you do it? What were the challenges? Have you managed some victories? What do you still need to do to protect yourself l, if anything.?
Thank you for reading, if you’ve made it this far. Sometimes it just helps to write and put it out there.
Yes that “cute” poking and prodding gets old real quick. It’s one thing to tease and be playful if you’ve already worked out that you’re both safe people to do that with, but it’s another entirely if it’s with someone who never earned that to begin with. Or who lost that privilege long ago.Happens on Lit too sometimes. I don't like that much either. Testing my boundaries and poking to get a reaction isn't cute and adorable. It's disrespectful and annoying, and it's probably why I stopped talking to you.
I’m hoping that your day got better and that you feel better now.I'm grumpy this morning. Carry on.
This is going to stay with me— I love how you phrased this - “cherry picking the very best of him”. Thank you for that phrase. I think that that is such a gracious way to describe it.He never met his grandchildren, and for that I am sad. I do get to cherry pick the very best of him in stories and photos with my children.
Yes. I couldn’t have said it better myself.So, it has been my choice to embrace the best of him and discard the rest which has already been processed through therapy and time. It’s over a quarter of a century now since he left the building, and while I seldom think of him, when I do it is with happiness.
This must have been so hard to do, especially if you were the only one. But wow, good for you for being so brave and making that change for your own emotional health.About ten years ago I started walking away from those relationships. As of five years ago I'm no longer in contact with any of my original or extended family.
Yes I can see how it would be, but also worth it.It was a grueling, painful process, but, honestly, I wish I had done it much sooner.
Thank you so much for sharing what you have learned and how you have coped throughout the years. I agree that it’s important to remember that we are all still learning and growing constantly. And each of these experiences gives us more tools to work with.I also had to do counseling for a year. I saw the benefit it was having in me and did it for 3 years. I got my head together. Healed a lot of emotional wounds inflicted on me from poverty and being different than many people. I learned some emotional intelligence. Grew up a little. Still growing. I have more tools to deal with things now than I did then.
Respect, my friend. Respect and well done.For me, it was both my parents. Mom was shot and killed when I was 18, six months after HS graduation. Mom and dad were divorced for many years prior. He lived 24 hour drive away in Ohio and died a year later of cancer.
First of all. I was broken in all kinds of ways that year from those two events.
I ended up in jail for a misdemeanor. Dallas jail, sucks. Is scary as fuck. I was there only a day. Granted, I had done so many other things prior to that where I could have gone to prison, but managed to avoid.
I got a court appointed probation officer- who was fine as hell. I still have fantasies about her.
I also had to do counseling for a year. I saw the benefit it was having in me and did it for 3 years. I got my head together. Healed a lot of emotional wounds inflicted on me from poverty and being different than many people. I learned some emotional intelligence. Grew up a little. Still growing. I have more tools to deal with things now than I did then.
Thank you, sir. What I posted was the short version. Life was really hard then. It took years to build a life from nothing.Respect, my friend. Respect and well done.
That's the way of it. I like it. Good man!Exhale. Inhale. Repeat.
Oof, that’s tough stuff, L_I_B. Thanks so much for posting and yes, writing such inner thoughts is cathartic for me as well.
Your lived experience reads like so many scenes played out on film under similar circumstances, but sure is different when it’s your own life and your own feelings. Hugs
My own dad was a fatally flawed human, but a very decent one. When I received the phone call informing me of his death, from a complete stranger, I was somehow simultaneously shocked and prepared for that news. I suppose I had been bracing in anticipation of it for much of my life.
He had dependencies (alcohol & nicotine),
poor health and depression. Mom left him when he refused help, and by that point I was an adult. In many ways, his swift passing was a blessing as he laid no burdens on us, and those potential burdens could have been numerous and suffocating.
He never met his grandchildren, and for that I am sad. I do get to cherry pick the very best of him in stories and photos with my children.
So, it has been my choice to embrace the best of him and discard the rest which has already been processed through therapy and time. It’s over a quarter of a century now since he left the building, and while I seldom think of him, when I do it is with happiness.
This is lovely.I do get to cherry pick the very best of him in stories and photos with my children.
So, it has been my choice to embrace the best of him and discard the rest which has already been processed through therapy and time. It’s over a quarter of a century now since he left the building, and while I seldom think of him, when I do it is with happiness.

Nope. Just never got into that.QuestionnaireLet’s (high)lighten the mood! I love a good questionnaire, especially one that allows for some creativity. Below you will find 20 questions. Yes, 20. That’s a lot. You do not have to answer all 20. You can answer whichever ones you want to answer. We won’t judge.
- Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was?
Step on it or squish it with a napkin and throw it away.
- You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
Though not a meal....
- What is your favorite comfort meal?
This is a massive question with a million possible answers.
- What is something about which people have a misconception?
Lawn Mower.
- Where do you feel the most at peace?
My favorite color is sex.
- Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
Vacation with the family next week.
- What are you looking forward to?
Sitting outside watching storms roll through 2 nights ago.
- What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
Slowly learning some Spanish.
- Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
Colonel Sanders. He had a rough life but endured. You know that man has some stories!
- If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
People who lived their lives with purpose. Some in an outward fashion. Others just by steadily plodding through the daily grind, but seeing their end game all the while.
- Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
Yes, I live a generally optimistic life. Plenty of things to be down about but why waste the time fretting over them. Do something about them instead.
- Are you optimistic about the future?
My wife's perfume.
- What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
The superb bird of paradise. Not only does it look incredible but has some sweet dance moves!
- If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
Answer a massive list of 20 questions!
- What is something new you’ve done recently
Cleaning out the inside of my car.
- What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort
Starting my own side hustle. Time and Money are limiting factors. Research and some bravery would go a long way towards making it happen.
- What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
My mom. So many things that I should have said before.
- If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
I wouldn't say this was a deep and lasting connection, but had a great conversation yesterday with a stranger about our tattoos and the meanings behind them. I suppose the connection came from each of us as we shared the person meaning behind them. Only lasted 2 minutes but was a cool encounter of some personal transparency.
- Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World.
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I always wish for world peace. (Name that quote)QuestionnaireLet’s (high)lighten the mood! I love a good questionnaire, especially one that allows for some creativity. Below you will find 20 questions. Yes, 20. That’s a lot. You do not have to answer all 20. You can answer whichever ones you want to answer. We won’t judge.
- Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was?
Capture it in a glass and release it outdoors
- You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
Pasta bolognese
- What is your favorite comfort meal?
We cannot reverse the aging process.
- What is something about which people have a misconception?
At the ocean’s edge.
- Where do you feel the most at peace?
My favorite sexual position is cowgirl.
- Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
Trump’s removal from office.
- What are you looking forward to?
Moose and bear on a mountain hike.
- What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
Meditation.
- Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
Julia Child. Grilled cheese with tomato soup brings me back to my childhood.
- If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
Civil rights leaders on the ground and in government.
- Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
I am glass half full, for sure.
- Are you optimistic about the future?
Pussy.
- What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
Orca.
- If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
Used a penis pump. Jeebus, the girth!
- What is something new you’ve done recently
Children laughing on a playground.
- What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort
I cannot think of one at present.
- What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
Thanks Mr. C for instilling integrity into your students.
- If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
I won’t share that here.
- Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
Fields of Gold - Sting. It tells a beautiful story, is Celtic in roots and has a lovely arc, much Iike a good life.
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
QuestionnaireLet’s (high)lighten the mood! I love a good questionnaire, especially one that allows for some creativity. Below you will find 20 questions. Yes, 20. That’s a lot. You do not have to answer all 20. You can answer whichever ones you want to answer. We won’t judge.
I don't think I've made a birthday wish in years, if I did, it was probably to be granted all of the time possible with my family
- Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was?
Kill it, putting it outside in this weather is just a slower death to an unaclimated spider. Death=mercy!
- You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
Pot Roast
- What is your favorite comfort meal?
That people who think or believe differently from them are lesser humans, and they don't need to treat them with the love & respect they themselves demand.
- What is something about which people have a misconception?
In my garden
- Where do you feel the most at peace?
My favorite toy is
- Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
Personally, Disneyworld next month. Professionally, a possible lucrative deal
- What are you looking forward to?
I got to watch a hummingbird for about a half hour, just flit from bush to bush. It was adorable.
- What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
I can pick up coins with my toes, does that count?
- Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
Desmond Morris, and my go to is to toast my bread, put on some shredded sharp cheddar, and slices of fresh tomatoes, and put it under the broiler until the top is nice & toasty
- If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
My grandad. He's the only person who is on both my personal & professional list of 5 people who's opinions I care about. I've never met a more loving & patient person, or ethical & trustworthy professional
- Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
I'm a realist
- Are you optimistic about the future?
Hair lighter & Elumin. Mmm, smells like pretty!
- What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
Elephant
- If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
Tried gluten free bread
- What is something new you’ve done recently
Organizing my sock drawer
- What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort
I can't think of one, I'm not really one to hold back
- What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
I've written a few letters like this. We all can, there is no "could", you should tell people how they've impacted your life. If they've already passed away, write it anyway.
- If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
This weekend, with my oldest friend. Just knowing that we're still here for eachother, no judgements, no lies, just knowing she's always in my corner, and I in hers. It's a rare thing.
- Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
That's going to be a tie between Tom Petty-I Won't Back Down, and Sia-Elastic Heart
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Enh, sometimes but not really either. More in like a joke kinda way.Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was?
Vacate the premises, that fucker can take over the mortgage.You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
I honestly don't know. I really like pizza, I don't think that counts as comfort food though. A good soup, I suppose.What is your favorite comfort meal?
About me? About life in general? I don't know that I have a great answer for either of those things though.What is something about which people have a misconception?
Usually on a run or on a bike ride. A safe, no cars around, bike ride. I've taken to stopping a bit more when I run to take in some form of beauty around me. Sights, sounds, general sentiments of "hey, it's pretty cool I get to do this."Where do you feel the most at peace?
My favourite Brooklyn Nine-Nine character is Captain Holt.Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
Lunch.What are you looking forward to?
Ummm, good question. Likely a coyote running right down the street when I was out for a walk. Thankfully he had already found lunch.What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
I like to play guitar and sing a little, but I don't really do that in front of anyone. While a few of you have maybe heard me, it's not something I share with a lot of people.Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
Mae Martin or Tom Green. It would be a delicious cheese sandwich. This an IYKYK kinda thing from a Canadian television show.If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
They would all be close friends or family. Certainly had some sports ones when I was a kid, but real people doing real things get me going more than professionals.Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
Yes. It's best to stray to the side of optimism.Are you optimistic about the future?
Uh, good or bad.What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
I'm the wise words of Jamie Tartt, I'm me. Why would I want to be anything else?If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
Running without music. Not always, but sometimes. It was scary at first but it's kinda alright.What is something new you’ve done recently
I think we should look for these things more often than we do because often they are more significant than we think. A really good iced coffee comes to mind.What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort?
I don't really know, I'm doing some fun and difficult things this year, but I can say, usually what's holding us back is ourselves.What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
I actually did this recently and it was a more rich experience than I expected. I'll leave what was said between us, but I will say that I think it's good to tell people who impact your life greatly these things. You've probably impacted someone's life in a way you didn't even know. Maybe you don't even remember the interaction. It's something we should talk about more.If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
Kind of the same as above. Sometimes you vibrate on the same frequency as another being and you just connect in some way that hits you both in the same kinda way.Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I try to keep my wishes simple and attainable. Birthday Blowjob. Sadly, haven't had that wish fulfilled in many years.
- Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was?
Catch and release outdoors. If it wants to live, it can live there and good luck.
- You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
Tater tots
- What is your favorite comfort meal?
American politics, we're all being played for suckers by corporate interests.
- What is something about which people have a misconception?
In a forest away from noise of human activity
- Where do you feel the most at peace?
Actor- Robin Williams
- Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
College graduation, next Spring. I was delayed for a few years
- What are you looking forward to?
I planted a flower
- What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
I have a talent for going off the tour. I am trying to master attaching fishing lures.
- Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
I would make grilled cheese sammiches with my deceased friends Dennis, Paul, and Brad together- it would be a blast.
- If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be?
Recipe bread fried in butter, thin sliced sharp cheddar spiced with garlic, basil, and chopped sun dried tomatoes
- And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian. His indomitable spirit is breathtaking
- Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
Mostly, yes. Unfortunately, setbacks will happen along the way with that.
- Are you optimistic about the future?
Ex gf from 35 years ago, her perfume- Knowing. Idk why, its just something that stuck with me
- What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
Guess that would all depend on if I could live out my life without being slaughtered by human industry. In a best case scenario, Gray Wolf
- If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
I made a Turkish lamp
- What is something new you’ve done recently

I have a jacket. It's the last thing my mother ever gave me when I was a senior in HS. I've hung onto it despite my spouse saying I should throw it away. It's tattered, ugly, and definitely well worn. I rarely wear it anymore. But its there.
- What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort
I'll be buying land near the U.S./Canadian border. I am saving money for it.
- What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
To my first girlfriend's deceased parents. I know they didn't like me much, but, they were kind and supportive at the worst time of my life when they definitely didn't have to be, or really want to be.
- If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
Sometimes, I think we take things and people for granted as time marches on and the years accumulate especially with people we know. My spouse, for awhile there, it seemed like we had a psychic connection. Now, not so much I dont think. But it was there when we were new.
- Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
Lol, pick a day and I'll give you a different song every day
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Sure. If I share it, it won’t come true.
- Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was?
Be annoyed. I don’t like killing things, but sometimes they leave you no choice.
- You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
Pussy.
- What is your favorite comfort meal?
6” isn’t just average.
- What is something about which people have a misconception?
Outside. Fresh air, sunshine, water, quiet.
- Where do you feel the most at peace?
“My favorite Breast is both”.
- Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
The future.
- What are you looking forward to?
I thought I saw a dead rabbit. As I approached it, it was just stretching out on a hot summer day, cooling his balls on a chunk of mowed grass. I was pleased.
- What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
Woodworking. I really need to learn the measure 5 times, cut once, account for the thickness of the blade rule. Maybe one of these days, I’ll listen.
- Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
Mayo instead of butter. Rod Serling?
- If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
Indiana Jones and Bugs Bunny.
- Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
Very much so.
- Are you optimistic about the future?
Skunk. I come home late at night and sometimes there is a skunk (the animal) smell. I look around a lot before walking forward in the dark.
- What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
Dog.
- If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
Learned to patch a roof.
- What is something new you’ve done recently
Playing with a dog.
- What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort
Exercise. I’ve been failing big time to stay in shape. Time availability has held me back and exhaustion when there is time. I need to rearrange my life a little.
- What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
This is tough. I’m not good with this kind of thing. But there are people.
- If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
This is also hard. I think I relate to most people and I can usually see where they’re coming from or why they are. Can’t think of a specific, though.
- Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
I’ve always wanted John Williams or John Carpenter to write me a theme.
- If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
This has been bothering me all day.I always wish for world peace. (Name that quote)
Yes, you nailed it. Andiie McDowell’s character says it first.This has been bothering me all day.
Is it Groundhog Day? Bill Murray?