Know When to Hold ‘Em

October 31, 2011November 1, 2011 ~ Kana Smith ~ 14 Comments

"You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em..." ~ Kenny Rogers, The Gambler My husband taught me to play Poker--Texas Hold 'em--early in our friendship, and we used to play often with friends in Recovery. (To my Probation Officer: no, not for cash. Oh yeah, I'm not on probation anymore...) It … Continue reading Know When to Hold ‘Em

an Anniversary, without a Ribbon

October 30, 2011June 13, 2012 ~ Kana Smith ~ 22 Comments

“People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars...” ~Wikipedia, Day of the Dead Today isn’t (quite) el Dia de Los Muertos, but it’s my day to miss someone. To consider a life that ended unexpectedly a year ago today. Al had a small altar in my heart … Continue reading an Anniversary, without a Ribbon

Rescue Diver

October 29, 2011April 28, 2012 ~ Kana Smith ~ 28 Comments

“We sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men… A new life has been given us.” ~~A.A. Big Book p.28 This far below the surface, 120 feet of seawater filters the color spectrum so only the blues and blacks remain. When I shine my pocket dive-light on the reef it becomes a … Continue reading Rescue Diver

What to Wear When Getting a Traffic Ticket

October 28, 2011December 4, 2011 ~ Kana Smith ~ 23 Comments

I know what you're thinking: some cleavage and batted eyes might get a girl out of that ticket. And they might. Experience has shown me another option, though... I'm a fourth-generation Girl Scout; my great-grandma joined as an adult in the 1930s when she signed up my grandma, hoping to curb Grandma's tomboyish tendencies. Great-Grandma … Continue reading What to Wear When Getting a Traffic Ticket

Living Richly

October 17, 2011January 27, 2021 ~ Kana Smith ~ 32 Comments

"Half the world knows not how the other half lives." ~George Herbert [Oct.16] Rats, I was doing so well with "PostaDay," till today. (Which will be "yesterday" by the time this is available to read.) The good news: my Miss isn't due to lack of writing. Here I am writing. The Other-news: our internet is … Continue reading Living Richly

Lucky Thirteen

October 13, 2011January 27, 2021 ~ Kana Smith ~ 27 Comments

Two years ago today my hubby and I scheduled our anniversary. That is to say, we scampered over to the courthouse (for a HAPPY reason--a novelty in itself for a pair of recovering alcoholics like us) and tied the knot. Lucky Thirteen, that's our anniversary. Never mind that it was a Tuesday morning--clearly we're not … Continue reading Lucky Thirteen

Confessions of a “Street Minister”

October 9, 2011January 27, 2021 ~ Kana Smith ~ 11 Comments

While I'm in line at the visitors' window of our county jail, I'm invariably asked by another collared personage what church I serve. My most honest answer is "The Little Converted Crack-House," which is how we jokingly refer to our A.A. home group. (Before I joined the Recovery Community, I actually assumed this bustling little … Continue reading Confessions of a “Street Minister”