Connard Hogan

My inner writer squirmed and my fingers twitched, finally compelling me to sit and write . . . something . . . anything. The realization dawned—step 10, "Continued to take personal inventory. . . ."—my own “stinking thinking” fear of rejection had created my virtual dead-end.

My inner writer squirmed and my fingers twitched, finally compelling me to sit and write . . . something . . . anything. The realization dawned—step 10, "Continued to take personal inventory. . . ."—my own “stinking thinking” fear of rejection had created my virtual dead-end.

Bottom line: You don't need to be a victim of your circumstances, and like the blacksmith forging metal, you can reshape yourself. We're all recovering from something or other. So, when you find your behavior, or whole life, is out of control . . . when you've suffered enough . . . when you're "sick and tired of feeling sick and tired" . . . then reach out, seek help. I’ve posted previously about my thesis/relationship to the “12-Steps of Recovery.” Though there are books,

Bottom line: the “12-Steps of Recovery” encompass the change/growth process. I'm a "lumper." Way back when, during my undergraduate studies, an anthropology professor told my class, "Some are lumpers and some are splitters," referring to anthropologists in general. I knew immediately I was a "lumper." I see parallels and look for similarities, overlap and common threads. Over time I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity, integrity and non-judgemental nature of the 12-Steps

Bottom Line: Some boots aren’t made for walkin’, apparently . . . at least on my feet. 6/22/21 - My feet taped to minimize blisters—hopefully, avoid them altogether—Mark and I enjoyed a cooked breakfast, then dropped my car at marker 266.1, junction with Hwy 18, in anticipation of our day’s hike. Been here , Prim8 said. Last time . . . I hope, Prim8. In Mark’s car, we arrived at the PCT junction with Polique Canyon Road. “What time is it?” I checked my iPhone. “8:30

Don't allow your recovery from any problem to be contingent on another person or outside circumstance.

Bottom Line: It all adds up. 6/1/21 - I’d decided, more as a perfectionist than a purist, to “backfill” by hiking the PCT from the Canyon Loop View Trail junction (mile marker 217.7) to the Whitewater Preserve (mile marker 218.5), a section that I’d skipped on my last PCT hike trip. Confident, though reluctant, I needed to test my knee for tomorrow’s hike with Mark. This short section wouldn’t matter much in the overall length of the PCT’s 2,650 miles, but even a minor gap

COVID still raging in the US, Mark Reinhardt and I nevertheless had ants in our shorts, and since we both agreed to abide by the recommended precautions, our strong respective needs overcame any reservations to rendezvous at Whitewater Preserve, near Palm Springs.

Day after day, Prim8’s feet and knee suffered from the relentless pounding along the trail, until mid-way, where between Barrel Springs and Warner Springs, the constant foot and knee pain forced a decision: new shoes or a complete halt with surrender.

Using humor, Connard challenges himself, and others, to improve their communication skills by using more descriptive verbiage.