Category Archives: My Dad’s Alcoholic Prison

First Day of School And Wave Goodbye To Dad

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Sherri Matthews

Always a fan of Irene Water’s ‘Times Past‘ posts, her latest memoir prompt, ‘School Uniforms’, brings back more than a few memories. As a tail-end baby boomer attending Primary School in 1960’s England, my school uniform was standard grey tunic, … Continue reading →

Posted in My Dad's Alcoholic Prison, Times Past Challenge | Tagged 1970's Fashion, Baby Boomer Generation, Family Memoirs, Fathers & Daughters, Memoir, Memoir writing prompt, Patform Shoes, prison, School Uniforms, Teenage Rebellion, Times Past Challenge | 85 Comments

In Which The Story Changes

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Sherri Matthews

I found the words one day as I walked. These words: ‘Stranger In A White Dress.’ The title of my memoir. But as I climbed high above the sea, I found something more: I found strength. And I realised that … Continue reading →

Posted in My Dad's Alcoholic Prison, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged Alcoholism, change, crime, England, Family Life, Father & Daughters, Memoir Writing, postaday, prison, story telling, travel, Weekly Photo Challenge | 90 Comments

Chasing The Finish Line

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Sherri Matthews

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that my laptop – sent off for repair – ended up missing somewhere in the Czech Republic. Well, I never did get it back. I eventually heard from the computer shop … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Flash Fiction, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison | Tagged 99 Word Flash Fiction, Alcoholism, Bench Series, Blogging, Chinese Button Quails, Computers, Memoir, postaday, Weekly Photo Challenge, Werewolves, writing | 129 Comments

The Write Surprise

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Sherri Matthews

Good or bad, love ’em or hate ’em, we never know when a surprise is about to burst into our day, catching us completely off-guard. Like the surprise I received on Tuesday morning. For some time now, I have made … Continue reading →

Posted in My Dad's Alcoholic Prison, Writing Competitions | Tagged Alcoholism, Autism, British Government, crime, Fathers & Daughters, Fish Publication, hope, NAS, Parole, Short Memoir Competition, Surprises, writing, Writing Competition | 99 Comments

How To Save A Life

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Sherri Matthews

What connects us, what keeps us safe and strong and weaves its way along the dark corridors of our conscience when we are alone with our thoughts? When does the caring start, the thinking of others, the wanting to help … Continue reading →

Posted in Asperger's Syndrome, Blogging, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison | Tagged #1000Speak, 1000 Voices For Compassion, Alcoholism, Asperger's Syndrome, Blogging, Caring, Compassion, Current Affairs, Family Life, Scripture | 100 Comments

Peace In The Crazy: Signing Off For Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Sherri Matthews

Are you ready for Christmas? Is your winter wonderland beckoning while you dream of a white Christmas, roasting chestnuts ’round an open fire and jingling all the way? No? Well don’t worry – me neither. Last week I made endless … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison | Tagged Blessings, Children, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas Trees, Family Life, hope, joy, loneliness, Merry Christmas, Nativity, prison, Shopping | 104 Comments

Make My Day: Bite Size Memoir

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Sherri Matthews

What makes your day? I have to admit, the first time I read Lisa’s prompt for her bite size memoir challenge, the first image that struck me was of my old friend Clint, or should I say Dirty Harry. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Bite Size Memoir, Blogging, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison, Writing | Tagged Alcholism, Bite Size Memoir, Blogging, Clint Eastwood, crime, fathers, Memoir, prison, writing | 99 Comments

True Crime, Freesias and a Happy Easter

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Sherri Matthews

My conversations with my dad are not what most daughters have with their fathers. For one thing, they are held over the telephone most Sundays when he calls me from home prison. For another, our conversations aren’t exactly run-of-the-mill. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood Memories, Family Life, My California, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison | Tagged Alcoholism, California, Childhood memories, Dogs, Easter, Family Life, Freesias, Jesus, Laci Peterson, prison, True Crime | 118 Comments

Christmas In All Its Glory

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Sherri Matthews

It’s Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year! The time of year when we think of family, hearth and home, the season of peace and goodwill, glad tidings to all men. Like so many of you, I could write … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcoholism, CATalogue, Childhood Memories, Christmas, Current Affairs, Family Life, Family Traditions, Memoir, My California, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison | Tagged Alcoholism, Angel, Ants, Blessings, Boxing Day, CATalogue, cats, Childhood memories, Christmas, Christmas Cake, Christmas tree, Family Traditions, God, hope, Jesus, joy, love, Memoir, My California, My Dad's Alcoholic Prison, Nativity, Norman Rockwell, Peace | 75 Comments

My Dad, The Great Train Robbery and A Game of Cricket

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Sherri Matthews

Today is my dad’s 81st birthday. Not so unusual these days (what is 80 now anyway, the new 40?) except in this case my dad is a raging alcoholic who has spent the best part of the last 35 years … Continue reading →