Jim Stitzel
Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of WordsExcerpts from Life
4:30am
It's 4:30am and I'm wide awake already. It appears it's going to be yet another short night, which means I'm going to be running my day on a sleep deficit. This is nothing new. I've been living my life like this for months now. It just means I'm going to have to be...
Following Medical Directions
So, I messed up. Sort of. I followed my doctor’s directions, even when I was pretty sure I shouldn’t. You see, almost two weeks ago, he put me on Abilify because my Effexor had stopped working for me. I’d fallen into a deep state of depression for almost five days, and I was the most miserable that I’ve been since that day three-and-a-half years ago when I was admitted to the hospital. I wasn’t suicidal this time, but I was suffering deeply, and I was ready for some relief.
Tribe
I'm tired. Frankly, I'm exhausted. And I hurt. Everywhere. My mind is in pain, and my body responds in kind, translating that emotional turmoil into physical suffering. I'd like nothing better right now than for somebody to take me in their arms and hold me and tell...
Fiction
Rebirth by Flame
Malika was suddenly overwhelmed by the cleansing intent and purity of Flame. It flowed through and over her like an all-consuming heat — and as it did, it drew much of the pain and fury from her slight frame.
Burning Coals
They fought on. Orthael gave ground again and again, knowing that he could not – would not – strike her. She threw him a dangerously open slice, daring him to show her that Fire destroyed without meaning or mercy. But that was not the case. He caught her blade in his shield hand.
Blazing Sparks
Orthael felt her blow crash into his guard with a stunning violence. He spun to deliver a pommel strike and felt her duck under him before his shield caught two quick blows.
