by David Clinton | Artisan Blog
When I was 11 years old, I borrowed (stole) my father’s inhaler. This was a misguided choice for two reasons: 1. My father had asthma and needed his inhaler to breathe. 2. I did not have asthma. The motive behind my crime was to be like Mikey Walsh. Mikey was... read more
by Dr. Kelly Flanagan | Artisan Blog
I’m in my therapy office, sitting on a beach ball, slowly sinking to the floor. I had arrived in a frenzy of Monday morning doing and thinking, to find the ball with a note attached, saying, “Just a visual reminder. We love your blog!” Grateful for the affirmation and for... read more
by David Clinton | Artisan Blog
Bring Sun screen Bug spray DVDs for the car ride that won’t leave you feeling dead inside upon repeated viewings. Leave behind Thoughts about work. You’re off the clock. Step away and let your feet dangle over the edge of your life for a while. Bring Flip flops. Backup flip... read more
by Dr. Kelly Flanagan | Artisan Blog
My youngest son is a lot like me—he pretty much organizes his life around avoiding physical pain and discomfort. So, when he got pink eye, and the doctor ordered us to put antibiotic drops in his eye, I wondered if we could just lock him in his room for... read more
by Dr. Kelly Flanagan | Artisan Blog
In February of this year, I wrote publicly about my recent depression. I’d been depressed before, but this time my approach to the depression had been different. I’d spent weeks in the darkness, but instead of fighting against it, I’d allowed it. I’d decided to learn from it. And... read more
by David Clinton | Artisan Blog
I am sitting quietly, book in hand on a Sunday afternoon when my bride walks into the room and asks, “Will you put on a suit and come downstairs?” “Why?” “The kids want you to perform a wedding for the hermit crabs.” Needing further clarification, I ask, “Will there... read more
by Dr. Kelly Flanagan | Artisan Blog
The night before my parents dropped me off at Penn State University for graduate school, my father tried to encourage me. Perhaps noticing my anxiety about starting from scratch socially, he told me I was likeable and people would want to be with me. I retorted, “You’re just saying... read more
by David Clinton | Artisan Blog
The sun is coming up and the house is quiet. I make some coffee to wake me up, unaware that a woodland creature is about to wake me up in a different way. Someone (me) forgot to run the dishwasher last night, so I’m forced to use the only... read more
by Dr. Kelly Flanagan | Artisan Blog
Dear Fellow Travelers, I’ll be the first to admit, writing a letter like this is unusual. We’re not supposed to talk in public about what we talk about in private. You’re supposed to hide your decision to see me, as if it means you’re more damaged or more fragile... read more
by David Clinton | Artisan Blog
One Mississippi. It’s Tuesday night. Dinner is finished and the dishes are done. There is a little time before bed, so I ask the kids what they would like to do. “Hide and Seek!” Hide and Seek always ends with someone crying. I remind the kids of this fact... read more
