Articles written by Christine G.

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About me - Christine G.

Christine G. Richardson

I'm a granny who sits up nights
and writes and writes and writes and writes.

My primary writing interest is speculative fiction (scifi and fantasy). I try to write the sort of stories I like to read. I like time travel, mistaken identities,

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Facing death: 1 of 215
A Gentle Good-NightThe doctor smiled impersonally, displaying perfectly symmetrical teeth. Ammar had no difficulty identifying his Professional Face, Model XNE398, Caucasian, manufactured and installed by Kamal World-Wide Enterprises, Second Start Division."The nanophytes are failing," the doctor announced. "Damage will be ir... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Create your life list: 1 of 90
In the movie "The Bucket List", starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, two cancer patients set out to do all the things that they want to do before they die. Their adventures address the age-old issues of squelched dreams and unfinished business. We all have things we would like to do "some day". The constraints of l... More..
Relationships & Family > Acquaintances & Co-Workers Healthy acts of kindness: 2 of 127
To be alive is to make a difference. The choice to make a positive difference is up to each one of us. The contribution of a single person may not seem like much, but positive choices have a way of inspiring others. Who knows how far the ripples of a good deed will travel? We all have a limited number of hours to spend bef... More..
Relationships & Family > Marriage & Divorce (Other) Why marriage is not for everyone: 1 of 52
In the "good old days", marriage was taken for granted as the normal state of men and women. Since the Sixties, increasing sexual freedom, personal empowerment movements, and feminism have changed the rules of society in many ways. Nonetheless, despite the appalling number of failed marriages, matrimony continues to be view... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Commentary What qualifies a man as dating potential?: 1 of 40
IT ONLY TAKES ONE: A GRANDMOTHER'S HINTS FOR TELLING THE PRINCES FROM THE FROGSI didn't date much in high school and university. I was envious, of course, but in some cases I realized that I didn't miss much. I used to keep telling myself, "It only takes one." When my children bemoaned their limited romantic life, I would say... More..
Sports & Recreation > Sports & Recreation (Other) How do you explain an athlete's taking drugs to your kids?: 2 of 74
How do you explain to your child that his hero has clay feet? Some things, not even the best parents can do. They can only be present to support the child in his journey. This is a time to listen rather than talk. This is a time to ask, "What do you think?" and accept the answer without judging it. This is a time to answer... More..
Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership How to recover after the death of a pet: 1 of 37
Most pets have a shorter life-span than people. Unless your pet happens to be a Galapagos tortoise, you will probably have to go through the bereavement experience several times. Even the loss of a fish can be traumatic, especially if the death was difficult.Pets are individual, living beings. They are not interchangeable. To... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Early childhood memories: 3 of 99
My mother and I talk on the phone at least twice a week. Usually, we cover a lot of the same territory. However, the last phone call opened my eyes to something new.We were discussing early memories. I said my first memory was riding in the back of a truck with other refugees. She said I had told her of an earlier one of hidi... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Dysfunction Greed in family: When blood isn't thicker than money: 2 of 65
Greed is one of the classic seven deadly sins. Not only does it destroy the person who harbours it, but it destroys relationships, familities, and lives. Everyone has experienced the twinges of greed, and also the results of others' greed. We ask ourselves how come love is not more important then greed, and often feel guilty ... More..
Health & Fitness > Mental Illness The connection between sleep deprivation and mental illness: 1 of 31
Sleep Deprivation: the Hidden Mental Health Risk So, you don't get enough sleep. No big deal, right? You're young and healthy, energy drinks are readily available, and you have a full life to live. You can catch up later. Wrong. Sleep debts are just as devastating as financial ones. Inadequate rest impairs our ability to thin... More..