Author: TheJimmyJackJohnson

A Great Vacation[FM][mast]

What does a recently divorced woman in her mid-30s do when her workplace has a 2-week holiday? Well go on vacation of course. My ex-husband was a controlling person, he needed to have things done his way on his schedule. But he had made me feel comfortable, I guess being with someone from the age of 20 on into your 30s does that. But I’m glad that chapter of my life is done. I could see the signs a couple years back and I think I subconsciously wanted out of the marriage anyway.

But it was a blessing to have this freedom now. With him I had never travelled or even went on a proper vacation, but now that I was single and ready to mingle I was anxious to go out and explore the world. My first trip was a Caribbean cruise, I’d lived in the northern hemisphere my entire life and always dreamed of the white beaches and clear water that I see on those travel websites and movies. Read more »

Middle America [mf][mast]

Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

My name is Jack and I was born in a small town in Kansas. My dad owned and ran his own store which kept him away from home a lot but I’d usually spend lazy summer days helping him out around the store or just hanging around it in general. I was an only child until my little brother was born when I was in the sixth grade. The introduction of a baby into the family dynamic was anything but smooth. My parents were already spread pretty thin with the shop and the general struggles of house duties.

I can distinctly remember my father telling me ” Jack, as a man you’ve gotta be willing to make sacrifices.”. At the time I was confused by the almost cryptic sentence but as I got older I learned what he meant by that. For me specifically that meant that I had to start working in the shop by myself more.

My teenage years consisted primarily of going to my small school from 7 to 2, working at our store until about 8 or 9 and then finally going home and trying to do enough school work to pass my classes. In the end, I think the experience helped me gain a decent work ethic and some sense of responsibility. Read more »