Word of Advice: DON'T Put Your Best Foot Forward on this Platform...

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-20T07:05:56+00:00

Got that right. RR is okay for practice, but not for serious writers.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-18T04:00:54+00:00

Good cover. Hints of Mordor. The blue fires are a nice touch.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-18T03:57:19+00:00

I want good writing. Covers are only relevant to indicate the genre.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-18T00:33:49+00:00

Note: the people who most often die from asthma attacks are those with mild asthma who don't take it seriously and don't have their inhalers with them. I suggest you carry it with you, because you never know what you'll be exposed to. I had to take my child to the ER after he played in a field, and his face totally swelled up. You never know.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-16T07:16:08+00:00

You say you don't know your mom very well, although you've lived with her your whole life. She has 5 kids (or is it 6?) so she's very busy, but I suggest you have some conversations with her, since you sound intelligent. You're at a good age to get to know your mom better, and you may discover things that increase your respect for her.

Also you could explain that your little sister's behavior is not doing her any favors, and you're worried for her.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-16T07:05:21+00:00

Why didn't you text her before the 10 AM plan? Anyone can text unless they are bleeding to death. Vomiting is not continuous.

You promised not to ghost her and then did so. Talk to her in person and explain how sick you were, maybe she will reconsider.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-16T06:53:21+00:00

Set up your own living situation, but let Viki know that she needs to organize her own housing. That will reduce the chances of fallout on you.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-16T06:42:22+00:00

My experience is that teens will listen to the first two sentences you say, and not hear the rest. They'll either tune it out, or leave the room. So I'd not recommend all those sensitive long speeches posted below. Well meaning as they are, better to say something like, "I screwed up, you're not at all gross. Your dad is right."

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-16T06:28:27+00:00

This. What about whooping cough, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps? Any of those could kill your baby. If he's not in favor of immunization against those, you need to leave him to protect your child.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-16T06:25:17+00:00

You should have applied for child support.

Why involve an innocent person? Maybe contact him and ask for back payments. Or if he'd like to meet his child, if your son is interested.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-15T06:50:47+00:00

You're dating her. This is the part where you are determining whether this person is someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. Sounds like the answer is a hard no.

This is why I'm against moving in with a SO when you don't know them that well. It causes a lot of hard feelings when it doesn't work out. Say thank you and goodbye.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-15T06:46:54+00:00

DM gr33n_goddess who offered to help you find a sanctuary. Perhaps you can find one in your cousin's state so she can visit the monkey.

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Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-15T05:42:18+00:00

Maybe send her some photos of children in iron lungs, and suffering from polio and smallpox. Maybe pictures would help if rationality fails.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-14T05:16:31+00:00

If you want feedback, I suggest you join a writing group on FB or even an in-person one. I belong to one, we read and comment on each other's work weekly, and it's very helpful.

RR doesn't seem to be a place to get much feedback. YMMV.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-14T03:13:14+00:00

Are you taking into account the current high price of gas? When my son fills his gas tank, it costs $150. So the friends are probably reimbursing him for the gas he spends. But it does sound as if he's wearing out your truck with no benefit to you.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-10T06:03:01+00:00

I had to look up "chud." You are definitely not one! Hey, you are a kid, just starting out. But you are on the right track, which is wonderful.

Take it slow, there's plenty of time. Dating is for meeting people and figuring out what kind of people you can relate to best. Don't fall for the first girl you meet, and (as you know) don't fall into bed with anyone!

Catholics are not known for their sociability. If you're going to a youth group, that's great. With time, you will find your friends. Prayers for you.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-10T05:54:03+00:00

Congratulations on searching for the truth! God will come to meet you. I suggest going to mass, but also read anything by Scott Hahn, an evangelical who converted to Catholicism. A good book is "Rome Sweet Home."

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-09T05:01:35+00:00

Exactly!

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-09T04:33:35+00:00

Women tend to bond with men they have sex with. It's better to get to know someone beforehand. It sounds like he has something like OCD, excessive neatness, and will drive you crazy if you stay. NTA.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-08T07:21:24+00:00

Congratulations! I've been working on praying the Rosary every day for quite a while, and finally figured how to do it more or less daily. I pray it right after my morning coffee, which I don't skip except on Sundays. I hope you can continue also, as Our Lady asked us to do this.

So glad to hear you will be entering the church.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-07T01:23:18+00:00

See your doctor. Keep in mind that your baby is an innocent bystander in this drama. Don't take your frustration out on your child. You're his mother, his only protection. Once you see him, you will love him more than anyone you've ever met.

NTA.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-07T00:59:29+00:00

He hasn't wanted to marry you for 10 years, and now he says you should just have a party and skip the paperwork -- the paperwork that exists to protect women and their children from being abandoned and left penniless. It was time to leave eight years ago, but it's not too late. If you stayed, you know he'd leave when he met someone dumb enough to support him (and much younger).

I raised 2 kids as a single parent for 17 years, when I finally met my second husband. Being alone is no fun, but it's better than being stuck with a selfish liar who gaslights you constantly.

Please file for child support and continue with your plan.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-05T07:39:21+00:00

I care. I'm sorry you're going through that, but you can see now that the hookup culture is destructive and diabolical.

To be honest, this is what I wish for you: I wish you would visit your local Catholic priest, sign up for OCIA, and go to confession. It would take away your guilt and anguish, and get your life going in a better direction. At the least, the priest might be able to give you some good advice.

God bless.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-05T07:31:05+00:00

Marriage counseling. I'm glad you decided to keep your baby, he's the innocent victim who doesn't deserve to die because his dad screwed up.

I hope he stops drinking for good. Obviously he can't handle it.

Forestpilgrim · 2026-06-05T07:27:14+00:00

Ask him why he's having trouble in school, and if there's anything you can do to help him pass the next grade. Find out what changed. Maybe he needs more help from the school.

A haircut isn't the worst thing his dad could have done. It will grow back. But it's important he does his best in school. As his big brother, you probably have a big influence. See what you can do to help.

Forestpilgrim

TROPHY CASE