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ron stempkowski

  • the xanax diary
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • the ronaissance
  • my faves
  • second city
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • media
  • travel
    • Costa Rica (June 2018)
    • Iceland (March 2020)

ron stempkowski

love, loss, healing, and humor…in no particular order

  • the xanax diary
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • the ronaissance
  • my faves
  • second city
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • media
  • travel
    • Costa Rica (June 2018)
    • Iceland (March 2020)

Category: Writing

Writing Away…Since 1982

Writing Away…Since 1982

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski
I remember discovering my love of writing when I was around thirteen. It’s galvanized in my memory, and when I think about it, I’m filled with the kind of warmth that can only accompany th... Read More
Connecting Purpose to Loss

Connecting Purpose to Loss

Posted on September 21, 2016May 14, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski
Why was I crying as I walked down the street, carrying a salad I’d picked up for lunch? No, not because I’m a moosh bag who sobs to any decently scored coffee commercial around the holida... Read More
Back to Class

Back to Class

Posted on May 18, 2016April 22, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski
I decided to take a writing class recently. There is an incredible writing school a couple of blocks away from my condo called Story Studio. I stumbled across it a few years ago during an open house t... Read More
Dear, Diary...

Dear, Diary…

Posted on January 29, 2016April 22, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski
When I’m in the mood or just when I run across them on the shelf in my bedroom, I love to pull out one of my old diaries and read a few entries. It’s a portal to a different time. A different me. ... Read More
5 Years of “The Xanax Diary”

5 Years of “The Xanax Diary”

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by Ron Stempkowski
It seems like I’ve always had this blog; that it has always been here to engage me and calm me and focus me and distract me. But I haven’t. I’ve always written for those reasons, bu... Read More
2014 in review

2014 in review

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Ron Stempkowski
Starting this blog 4 years ago to write about all the things I was feeling saved my sanity. It’s one of my proudest accomplishments…to date. And though I didn’t break any records wri... Read More
My Extraordinary Photo Shoot

My Extraordinary Photo Shoot

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Ron Stempkowski
  My greatest dream since age thirteen–when I discovered my love of writing–was to be a published author. Back then, I wanted to be a novelist, creator of gripping, over-the-top drama... Read More
2013 in review

2013 in review

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Ron Stempkowski
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,800 times in ... Read More
Honoring a Hero of My Heart…Part 2

Honoring a Hero of My Heart…Part 2

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Ron Stempkowski
As I wrote last week, bad stuff happens. But just a couple of days later I was reminded of something quite the opposite. I received an email about an essay I’d written for the “Extraordina... Read More
Coins Only, Please

Coins Only, Please

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Ron Stempkowski
I forgot to mention in my previous entry something else that struck a “Ken chord” with me that contributed to my “ken-do-it-iveness” last weekend. In the alley where I found my... Read More
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Ron Stempkowski

Ron Stempkowski

I'm an award-winning essayist and audience-focused word ninja living in Chicago. I have a passion for storytelling with words and images/videos.

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