Welcome to Joel’s Creative Garden. I hope you find the creativity on this site interesting, thought-provoking, informative, and, most importantly, entertaining. Thank you for taking the time to read and view what is posted on this site. Creativity, like a garden, grows. Creativity develops, sometimes slowly. Sometimes, it sprouts unexpectedly in spaces that surprise you.
Some subscribers have known me all my life, others are friends or relatives living in distant cities, and others are new followers (friends) who have found this site on Substack. I am so grateful for all of you.
Who is Joel? The last thing I want to do is bore you with a list of accomplishments you would see in a CV. To that end, I will quickly summarize a baseline, the surface. To keep the garden analogy, the flowers. I am a Midwesterner with Midwestern values. I am a husband and brother. I am a veteran and have a BS and MS degree. I am proud to be a medical technologist and have spent many years in medical device sales. Imagine you’re standing next to me and meeting for the first time. That is what I would sound like. And I am guessing you may sound the same, but only with different “things” you attach to yourself. “Things” you feel are safe to share.
Recently, a lifelong friend reminded me of something we all know: We all have a story. I intend to share that story in Joel’s Creative Garden. The reveals will mainly come indirectly from short stories, fiction novels, and art. Rarely a direct reveal. Also, you will see an occasional rambling on a current or past “In the News” event.
Because your time matters, please comment on the posts. Writing a comment matters because we are all connected. Our lives are messy, and sometimes, messiness needs validation. Don’t worry; it's safe to share.
Creativity happens in the spaces between doing and doing the next thing. There are no coincidences. You are on this site for a reason.
Thank you,
Joel
P.S. Imagine you are at a party, and we are standing next to each other. You smile and introduce yourself. Lovely. I turn and say: Hi, my name is Joel. I was a member of the third reading group, insecure in crowds, and have failed more than succeeded, and that nervous movement you see is probably the result of ADHD. It’s nice to meet you.
Aren’t you glad we are all connected? Yes, even “that person”.
I’d flash a warm, knowing smile and say:
“Joel, you just introduced yourself like the opening monologue of an indie film protagonist, and I respect that level of raw honesty. But let’s reframe—you’re self-aware, resilient, and rocking a touch of unpredictability, which makes for the best kind of company at a party.
Also, if ADHD is in the mix, I promise not to be offended if you suddenly disappear mid-sentence to chase a thought down a rabbit hole. In fact, I’ll probably meet you there—I’m a Puerto Rican wellness maven who can’t shut it off even if I wanted to, who sings at inappropriate moments, believes real hugs are a love language, and will absolutely analyze the stress-gut-hormone connection in any situation. Like I said, can’t shut it off. So basically, you’re in good company. It’s nice to meet you too!”
Hi Joel, nice to meet you. I am Mark an artist in Edinburgh Scotland who loves to sketch the streets and live events in ink and watercolour. I have enough and enjoy spending time with my family and using my art to appreciate the beauty all around me. I found you via @PennyHarrison 's substack and I am glad I did, I look forward to reading more. All the best, Mark :)