My name is Raymond and I am 54 years old. I live in Northern Calif, in a small town called Lodi! Both Credence Clearwater Revival and Willie Nelson have sang songs about Lodi! A & W rootbear was invented in Lodi, as well as the G I Joe action figure. I am divorced and Lodi was where I relocated to from Washington State. I am a quiet, stay to myself person asking nothing of anyone but doing anything for others! I am a disabled vet since 1974, when a drunk driver hit the car I was riding in head on going 80 MPH! I manage my lower back pain very well with the help of a elastic back support.   Recently, I found myself with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and the diet change was a huge shock to me. But it was necessary to stop my abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Life for me is good as long as I stay on my IBS diet. I have been blessed to have enrolled in a creative writing class 25 years ago...not to learn how to write, but because the course had no exams and no books to buy! Little did I realize then, that 25 years later, I would be still be writing. It is my life and passion!   I know some, if not many, here at this site have much more of a struggle with pain then I do. For that I feel guilty, because no one should have to suffer. But I am here to share my smile and my writings with the hopes that each of you can find a way to manage your pain.   Sincerely,   Raymond.

We are very fortunate that Raymond is sharing his talent with us. We hope you
enjoy reading his poems and stories. We would like to ask that you do not respond
to these posts here. The stories, especially,  may have several parts and
are in order and it would get very confusing if they get scrambled . So, if you read
and like a story or poem click on the  "Recommend"  feature located
on the left top of the post. This will let Raymond know that his stories
are being read and enjoyed. You can also leave him a note in his mailbox HERE.
Remember that all of his work is copyrighted by him and may not be
used without his permission. Thanks for your co-operation . 

This page created espressly for Billie's Help Page. No portion may be copied or used elswhere without written permission of the
management. Backgrounds and html © EvieJo 2006-2008. Photo used in first graphic from http://www.morguefile.com .
All other graphics used in creating  and assembling this page are to the best of my knowledge copyright free.  Photo and
biography  ©Raymond Cooke 2008. All poems and stories are ©Raymond Cooke and may not be copied without permission of the author.