Annie .................Australian Alcoholic Addict

Trust had developed between Nel and Dick. So that Nel could get to the bottom of the matter, the frazzled policeman told her what it was he needed to know about Annie's unwelcome appearance at the murder scene. He then allowed Nel to do the questioning. This approach was highly irregular. So was the situation. Nel was a very seasoned Psychologist and this became more apparent as she attempted to lead Annie through the sequence of events. She was kindly but firm. "Annie we left you at Roma Street... Sign in to see full entry.

“Nell the Bell” the women call her at the detox. This is because she is like a bell ringing out the hopeful message of recovery. They used to laugh and tease her. Even though she could be a bit of a botherer to the women if they were doing the wrong thing – they loved her. There was no end to the time and effort she was prepared to put into helping them with their programme. “I can attest to that,” she would frequently say. “I can attest to that,” the women would chime in. There was no doubt... Sign in to see full entry.

Due to the murder that had occurred in Annie's apartment she was temporarily without a home. Nellie was allowed to take Annie with her and give her a nice warm bed for the night. No one expected that the dazed woman would be allowed, or would want to go back to the scene of the crime. The nightmare seemed to have knocked her off balance. It appeared for the minute that she might need hospitalization. Her experience as an A.A. sponsor and her training as a Psychologist encouraged Nellie to... Sign in to see full entry.

“You stupid old bag!” thought Dick. In his detective world triggered meant ’trigger-happy,’ aggressive and impulsive. He wasn't quite sure that her question didn't mean she thought he was trigger-happy himself. How she had been allowed to accompany Annie to the police station and then come into the questioning area with her, he just didn't know. Totally against his better judgment that was for sure. The harsh light in the room glared all over Annie who sat motionlessy staring at her hands.... Sign in to see full entry.

For Annie the torn, ripped and seemingly battered bark of the Melaleuca tree was symbolic. It looked as though it were a flesh hanging soft, but stripped and gaping. This ragginess exposed soft under belly to a weathering world. Not surprising that this tree is renowned for its antiseptic and healing properties world wide. Annie developed the habit of drawing the tree at every possible ’spare time situation.’ Their gaping bareness symbolized honesty and vulnerability. Even the word Melaleuca had... Sign in to see full entry.

"Wish I had a cave," thought Annie. This had been a pleasant entertainment that had innocently lingered in Annie’s dreams over the last few months. Readers may be aware that terrible and frightening events were coming to a head at the boarding house where Annie is at this time forced to live. Economic circumstances don’t allow for her shifting her place of residence at this time and so she has had to learn to just lift her head above the chaos and ’soldier on.’ She does this very well. Her... Sign in to see full entry.

Trace shakily walked past him. She had the careful, well-considered gait that users typically do. Junkies who are passed their ‘used by date' lose their footing. So she gingerly picked a path like an Arabian stallion walking for show. She picked up her feet with precision and put them down with care. Arabians are graceful but humans who do this are – frightened. Frightened of falling, frightened of being discovered, frightened others will know! People might be able to tell that for her the earth... Sign in to see full entry.

In a nightmare last night the four horsemen had visited her. They had ridden up to her – coming to an abrupt halt. They peered into her eyes all four of them at once. They breathed rancid hotness into her as they quizzically hovered as though suspended on a spring. Trace felt her head pushing further and further into the pillow. The resistance of the pillow pushing back against her. This strange feeling seemed as though it was yet another assault. She could hear the horses panting and ranting... Sign in to see full entry.

When we left Annie last time she had learned how to treat Trace with loving detachment. Through meditation and prayer she had found a way to accept her flat mate’s desperate plight and to wish only the best for her. It was ironical that by concentrating on her love for drawing nature she had found a way to focus on her own serenity. She had learned how to ’live and let live.’ The story picks up at a commotion! “Tell us how it all began,” the detective asked the young bloke a little... Sign in to see full entry.

She had written quite a lot today and now she was turning to her favourite part of the journaling experience. She loved to draw and to paint with the little watercolour set that her friend Trish had given her. Today she chose to draw and lightly paint the African Tulip flower that she could see on the tree next door. Red/Orange and Green were her colours. They symbolized the harmony and the comfortableness of complimantarity. Annie spent a comforting and relaxed while on her drawing and then... Sign in to see full entry.