******* The Chronic Complainer (Story, David C./ Russell)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

I wish to invite you to visit my story platform at:

https://spillwordes.com/author/davidcrussell

On June 20, 2025, my story, "The Chronic Complainer" will be featured on this site, and added to the other stories created by me over the past five years!

This story is about a young woman going through life and therapy, and struggling to become more outgoing, more sociable, more liked. I have given her the name, Haley, which I mention means 'meadow' in some parlance.

This story, "The Chronic Complainer" will be in my forthcoming self-anthology released later this year.

Final note: Please share, and please leave a like after you read the story if so inclined!

Much thanks,

David C. Russell, Author

Mellow Rock

 

Part Four: It's Time (Mellow Rock, David C. Russell, Author)

Hello Grafted In Reader,

Today is Tuesday, and summerish in my corner of blog land. The date, June 17, 2025.

We are continuing our theme of mental health considerations, but this post will be different.

I want to introduce you to Haley, who is one of the main characters from my forthcoming book, "From My Red Chair." Haley is in the second story in this collection, and a chronic complainer. We all know one or two chronic complainers for sure.

The story opens in the office of her Therapist. Incidentally, this story will be featured 'soon' on spillwords.com. Let's get a glimpse of Haley.

The Chronic Complainer

David C. Russell

“I suppose you goad or needle all of your clients,” I said.

“I don’t need an invitation to your pity party. You can host those on your own time,” said Jeff Barber, MSW

and my therapist.

“Your job is to listen, give constructive feedback, asshole,” I said in a recent session.

“Thank you for telling me of my role. If you care for a professional opinion, you apparently have a chronic,

sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.”

“That’s quite a diagnostic. Did you get that from a Woodie Allen flick?” I asked.

He chuckled. “No, but I’m familiar with your type of personality. I have eight years of clinical experience

behind me, and have seen quite a variety.”

In common, life and therapy sessions were marked by sporadic pleasantries, small talk, but my cynicism

was alive and kicking. I learned to be a cynic from my “troubled” youth. My reason for doing therapy was

to perhaps see if another view of life could be achieved? Could one learn to “roll with the punches”? Was

there another way to let your guard down and still remain standing after a confrontation with someone,

something, even oneself?

Haley is in for a couple twists and turns during this story that will shake her somewhat out of her usual mode. How are you today with your usual mode?

Thank you for stopping by. A hello is always welcomed!

Until next visit, God Bless and Keep Us.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

PS. For readers in the United States, give pause on Thursday to learn about the newly created day of membrance, June Teenth.

 

Part Three: Mental Health Tips (Mellow Rock, David C. Russell)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Friday June 13, 2025 in my corner of blog land. No, I'm not given to many of the Friday The Thirteenth advisements that are popular in Western culture. I do like a good mystery read, classic Edgar Alan Poe or Alfred Hitchcock cinema suits me fine.

This post is part three in our series focused on mental health and well-being. I am currently revising a small collection of six short stories with mental health as the overall theme. I will say more of this topic in future posts.

Here is our tip for this post from National Health Service based in the UK:

There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships:

Do

if possible, take time each day to be with your family, for example, try arranging a fixed time to eat dinner together

arrange a day out with friends you have not seen for a while

try switching off the TV to talk or play a game with your children, friends or family

have lunch with a colleague

visit a friend or family member who needs support or company

volunteer at a local school, hospital or community group.

Yes, we are challenged to be naturally social these days or so it seems. Some of us may be more private or outgoing than others. Probably working within our temperment to be inclusive is a way to practice some of the above tips. Your thoughts welcomed!

Until next post, thank you for dropping by. May the Lord bless and keep us!

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

Part II: From My Red Chair (David C. Russell, Mellow Rock)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Monday, June 9, 2025 in my corner of blog land. The school year ends later this week for students K/12 in my corner of blog land..

We are spending a few posts focused on mental health observations, and also sharing progress and snippets from my forthcoming title, From My Red Chair.

This is a self-anthology of five short stories with the indirect theme of mental health issues facing story characters.

Today, we are going to scratch the surface on the following:

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests several tips for improving mental health, including prioritizing sleep, engaging in physical activity, and maintaining a healthy diet. 

Note: According to the Governmental Agency, Center for Disease Control, 43% of us are overweight in North America, and 67% (two-thirds) of us in North America are on the obesity continuum. We eat a lot and often.

As to sleep, the NIMH cites favorable stats. we're doing pretty good overall! North American adults sleep an average of 6.8 hours per day, and the recommendation is seven hours sleep daily.

My biggest challenge is the bedtime snack: faves are corregated chips or popped corn.

What is one of your comfort food faves? Do comment please!

Until next visit around (June 13) God bless and keep us.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

Story samples at:

https://www.spillwords.com/author/davidcrussell

From My Red Chair (Mellow Rock)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is June 5, 2025 in my corner of blog land.

For a few posts, we are going to touch on mental health. Basically, find wisdom from reputable places to help our own understanding of God-given mental health.

I have a book that will be released in a few months of five short stories. Each has a situation related to mental health of the character or characters.

Its title, From My Red Chair" the same as this 'mini-series.'

Our first observation, today, is pasted from the National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH. Thankfully, this agency still exists!

OBSERVATION

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life.

Note: Hmm, mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. That's my takeaway from this snippet.

If you'd like to share your takeaway from this, please comment.

I will be back to share another observation for us in five days.

Yes, you may share this and invite others along, too!

May God continue to bless and keep us.

Mellow Rock,

David C. Russell, Author

Popular Lyrics, New Words? (mellow rock)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Monday June 2, 2025 in my corner of blog land.

First, to those who have a Judeo-Christian faith practice, may you have a refreshing celebration of Pentecost (Shavuot) in Hebrew. In some circles Shavuot began June 1 and runs until sunset June 3. In other circles, this holiday commemorating God giving his Word to the Children of Israel as they traveled to new land from Egypt, is celebrated June 8-9 this year.   

Pentecost or Shavuot had been observed for centuries prior to the CE (common era) fifty days after Passover and a Springtime festival in the Holy Land. The Christian world considers this holiday to be the beginnings of the church. 

Words

I found this online concerning the most popular word in song lyrics: here's the answer.

Love, love, love

I got love

You got love

We got love

Everybody’s got looooooove!

I offer you a few words that we can all use on occasion in conversation

- panegoric:  A eulogistic oration or writing:

- pundit:  a messenger, Monsignor, Reverend;

- obviate:  to remove a problem or make it unnecessary;

- obsequious:  Someone too eager to agree or help someone.

Paraphrased from either Collins Online, or Cambridge online dictionaries, respectively.

Writing News **

"From My Red Chair" is a four-story collection around the theme of mental health. Plans to edit and publish are to begin this week. I hope to offer it to interested readers in about four months.

Until next visit, The Lord bless and keep us. Happy conversations, too!

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author