Dennis R. Berry, Writer/Editor

A lot of people don’t understand OCD, what it’s like, or how it affects those who actually deal with it on a daily basis. People think they’re weird, strange, odd.. insert your favorite derogatory term here. Why? Because people with OCD do strange, odd or weird things. But see, here’s the thing. OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a real disease. Notice the word compulsive? Those who suffer from OCD feel compelled to do some of the odd little things that they do. And when you laugh at them because of it, when you make fun of them because you perceive them to be different, it hurts. How do I know this? Hi. My name is Dennis, and I am one of the 2.3% of the population that suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I am not weird. I am not strange. My brain just fires a little bit differently than most people’s. What is OCD? OCD is a disorder in the brain that causes obsessive compulsive behavior in the affected person. The sufferer feels compelled to do things, such as check door...

If I had a plot of earth, what would I do with it? This is something that I’ve thought about often over the years. There’s something alluring and intriguing about having a piece of land somewhere, out in the middle of nowhere.. peace, solitude, silence. Nothing but the sounds of nature.. no traffic, no sirens, no noisy neighbors. You wouldn’t really think I’d be the type that would want the silence and solitude of country living. After all, I’m a city boy. Well, that’s exactly why I do. I’m over the city. All the noise. All the chaos. All the constant movement and drama and crime and business. I don’t like it. I want simple. I want quiet. I want peaceful. I want beauty. I want nature. But what to do with the plot of earth? Well, how big is the plot? That’s the important question, isn’t it? Is it tiny? If so, then just a small cabin, I guess. But, let’s consider a larger plot, shall we? First, I’d want lots of trees. Woods. A place to walk and think. A place to relax and sit and just en...