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ASK WENDY – Introduction – Excerpt 1

Hello Wendigos,

First off, I’d just like to thank you for buying this book. A lot of sweat, tears, and coffee went into it (seriously, I spilled coffee on my laptop like six times and every time I hit the spacebar it smells like a StarShucks is on fire.).

What will you find in this book, you ask? Well, hopefully some laughter, some inspiration, and most importantly some advice. Now, what makes me qualified to give advice? Simple, I make mistakes…lots and lots and lots of mistakes…and through those mistakes I cry, I get angry, I get depressed, I get knowledge. Knowledge I hope can either help you avoid the same pitfalls, or at least let you know that you aren’t alone when in them.

I learned a lot about myself writing this book. There were times where things poured out of me I didn’t know were even there…some were joyful like finding a twenty in an old coat pocket…others were more like finding a bruise on your leg that you have no idea where it came from. I found there were a lot of wounds I thought had healed that were still open, and many old demons hiding behind painting of flowers I’d hung up in my memories.

That may all sound like bad things, but let me tell you something, having finished this book I’ve never felt lighter in my whole life. So here is my first piece of advice, Wendigos, WRITE. You don’t have to be a writer or ever have any intention of putting what you write out into the world, but there is something so freeing about taking what’s inside and putting it on paper. Let the page hold your pain, remind you of your joy, and leave room inside your heart for new and wonderful.

So that’s my first piece of advice…first of many, but before you turn the page I just want to say it one more time…Thank You.

Gratefully yours,
Wendy Moira Angela Darling

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Posted in Ask Wendy
Posted on July 1, 2015

Dear Darling – Major Decisions

Dear Darling,
I’m heading off to college in the fall, and am not sure what I want to major in.  I have high test scores and am interested in something Science/mental-health related.  I also really love theatre, but don’t want a degree for it.  All I want to do is help people; to make them feel better and get them what they need.  Psychology maybe? What do you think?  I’m just sort of scared of all the work I’d need to do, but changing someone’s life would be worth it. Right?
Sincerely,
Elyse Meyers

HI ELYSE, you’ve done the right thing turning to me for advice on this matter…this decision can AND WILL affect the rest of your life, and I can’t think of anyone more qualified to answer than fdskjlfadsf …sorry, I choked on a go-gurt and my hands sort of freaked out.

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Now, as an advice columnist I’m basically a psychiatrist already…a doctor of the mind…a surgeon of the soul and a dentist of the heart removing cavities of pain and replacing them with fillers of joy. (Sorry, I went to the dentist today. I got dinosaur stickers for being such a good flosser!)

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But enough about me and more about the brilliant advice I can give you. Look, I’m not big on hard work, BUT I am big on being HAPPY! It sounds to me like you know what makes you happy… and that’s helping people… and if a little hard work now will lead to a job that makes you happy for the rest of your life…

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Till next time Darlingites!
Michael

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Posted in Dear Darling
Posted on June 24, 2015

Remote “Ask Dear Darling”

Hello My Darlings,

Change is often difficult…sometimes it’s down right heartbreaking…but change doesn’t always have to mean the end. I promised you before I left that I’d always be just an email away, and I plan to keep that promise. So while I’ve started my job in the big city, I shall still be doing my “Ask Dear Darling” weekly advice column for the Kensington Chronicle…at least in the interim until they find a new columnist. So, My Darlings, what can I help you with today?

Always yours,
Wendy Darling

(Note from the Assistant Editor-in-Chief, John Darling: Please direct your “Dear Darling” inquiries to the form in the sidebar of this page.)

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Posted in Ask Wendy, Dear Darling
Posted on July 31, 2014

College Means Cookies

DEAR DARLING
I’m fixing to go to college. What’s something important to remember about getting out there in the world on your own for the first time? Also, good luck with your job applications!
-BRITTANY

OOOH BRITTANY
I’m so excited for you! Going off to college is such a magical and special time.  For many people it’s the first time they are away from their family and friends, the first time they get to make all their own decisions.  Want cookies for dinner? YOU HAVE THOSE COOKIES!

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But college is also a lot of really hard work. It’s long hours both in and out of the classroom and there’s a lot of pressure to succeed… and I want you to succeed… I want you to work hard and get the skills and education necessary to make your dream come true, but if there’s ONE piece of advice I can give you, one thing I’d want you to remember, one thing I wish I’d done differently… it’s make sure you have fun.  I worked tirelessly to get “straight A’s” but let me tell you, no one cares if you got an ‘A’ on that math test or a ‘B’ they just care that you have the diploma.  I missed out on a lot of fun by staying in my room to study for test that have zero barring on my life right now.  I missed out on making memories so I could make an ‘A+’ instead of an  ‘A’ and I don’t even remember what class it was for.  As I said, My Darling, I’m not telling you to slack off.  It’s important to work hard in school and get good grades or you’re just wasting your time, but if all you do is work you’re also wasting your life.  Have a wonderful time, Brittany, I’m always just an email away if you have any problems.

Till next time My Darlings!

P.S. Beware those student loans! They’re like signing your soul away!

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Posted in Ask Wendy, Dear Darling
Posted on July 18, 2014

Is He In To You?

DEAR DARLING,
My best friend recently moved to a new city, and she’s having trouble with dating. She’s met a few guys, but they’re either distant or putting on too much pressure. She needs some advice on how to tell whether guy is actually interested. I’ve been off the scene for almost fifteen years, so I’m no help. Can you give some pointers?
-LEIGH

HI LEIGH AND FRIEND OF LEIGH!
Congrats on moving to a new city! That’s so exciting! With that move comes a lot of new adventures, and one age old one if you’re single, DATING! But when you start out on that dating journey how do you know a guy’s intention? How do you know if he really likes you or if he just wants to…umm…park his car in your garage? Well, while there is really no sure fire way to tell, here are some tips.

1.) PRESSURE: If the guy is pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do…or aren’t ready to do then…

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2.) DATES: What kind of dates is he taking you on? If the dates are always at night, always one on one, and his main objective seems to be to get you drunk then he probably has only one end game in mind!

3.) TIME: How long have you known this guy? How many dates have you been on? How often is he contacting you before or after dates?  If you guys have been going out for a couple of weeks and the guy seems like he’s genuinely putting in the effort to see and talk to you (and not just at night on dates) then you may have found a guy who is genuinely into you!

Bottom line, FRIEND OF LEIGH, if a guy isn’t putting in the time and effort to show you he likes you, or is trying to pressure you into something you aren’t ready for…then he’s not the kind of guy you should waste your time dating, and definitely not the kind you want parking his car anyway!
Till next time My Darlings!

 

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Posted in Ask Wendy, Dear Darling
Posted on July 4, 2014

Can You Force Love?

DEAR DARLING,
There is a guy I really really like, we went out a couple of time, and I enjoy being with him. I think he enjoys being with me. But nothing happened. He told me he was focusing on his work. I really think I am the one for him and he is the one for me.
What can I do to make it happen?
I am so afraid of what could happen if he rejects me and that it breaks our friendship.
Can you help me, Wendy?
-BLEU IN NEVERLAND

OH BLEU,
If only we could make love happen! Life would be so much easier then. If we could just point a magic wand and yell, “ACCIO LOVE!”

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But unfortunately that’s just not how life works…and to be honest, love wouldn’t be as magical and special if it did.  All you can do is respect his wishes, stay friends, and see if things change naturally…BUT don’t put your own life and heart on pause waiting for him! Keep both open, you never know where or when love will suddenly appear…just like magic.
Till next time My Darlings!

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Posted in Ask Wendy, Dear Darling
Posted on July 4, 2014

Let Those Feelings Out!

DEAR DARLING,
I can’t seem to get over a guy that I really like. I know he doesn’t like me, but he only knows of the over-achieving nerd everyone makes me out to be. I just wish a.) he let me have an honest conversation with him, or b.) I’d get over him.
-ELOSE

WELL ELOISE,
It sounds to me like the way to get over him is to have that honest conversation with him. Right now you’ve got all these feelings and thoughts inside you, and they are going to stay there until you let them out. It won’t be easy to tell him these things, I know, and if you feel like you can’t do it in person you could always write him a letter…but in the end you’ve got to do what is best for you and your heart and that’s letting these feelings out.  Please let me know how it goes!
Till next time, My Darlings!

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Posted in Ask Wendy, Dear Darling
Posted on July 4, 2014
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