The Mental Twist for a Small Business Owner that Combines Life and Death
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. There is only so much irony that our brains are equipped enough to process. Maybe not everyone’s brain… but mine. If ya’ll have followed along with my editorials, enough details have emerged to understand that I’m a domestic violence survivor. That’s not what this story is about. My brain damage is the last thing on my mind right now… pun intended… after all, that sense of humor is what will keep us survivors going on.
Read full storyHarrisburg has Seen Enough Violence… Put the Weapons Down
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. This has been such a challenging few years for so many… those I know personally and many that I have never met. The violence and death needs to stop. We seem to be living in a world so opposite from the one that I was raised in. Back in the day, you threw fists then shook hands. Whether a friendship developed after that didn’t even matter… respect was earned on both sides. Has the time come where I can really say I’m that old… should it matter…
Read full storyAnother Carlisle Pike Accident in Mechanicsburg, Pa
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Hampden Township, Pa (Traffic Accident) - The intersection of Carlisle Pike and Sporting Hill Road is a highly traveled area. While my husband and I have driven that section frequently without incident over the past few years, we do know about the dangers of it… my husband and I have encountered more “near misses” than either of us would like to count.
Read full storyOwning a Small Business in PA - Is it Worth it Anymore if Your Business Sub-Contracts for Another Larger Business
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. As a small business owner on the contracting side of things, it amazes me how it’s all hit or miss with respect and deserving pay. Income for job duties should (realistically) stay on a level playing field… you know, a stable income that doesn’t fluctuate from high to low… especially when the work performed is always consistent or above. I’m not sitting here discussing performing job duties for multiple different people who utilize our services… this is about us busting it out for the same company we have the past few years.
Read full storyDeciding to Re-enter the Workforce After Turning 50 was an Easy Choice
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. After three years of being a stay at home wife and running our small family contracting business, I made the decision to re-enter the workforce on a part time basis. This past week was spent searching places local to where I live. Staying within a five mile radius of home is at the top of my “necessity” list. I was lucky enough to find a few places that fit into my search parameters… although, only one application was submitted. I chose to apply for not only the job that had the highest hourly pay, it also had the best benefits package - including three weeks vacation after the first year and a company matched 401K.
Read full storyWhiskey and Wing Wednesday at Perry County’s Hidden Gem - Shermans Creek Inn is the Place to Be
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. If you find yourself out on a daily adventure or just running around doing errands, pop on over to Shermans Creek Inn and indulge yourself. While there’s always shenanigans at the Creek, not much can beat Whiskey and Wing Wednesday… well, unless it’s Tuesday and you happen to be craving their taco bar. But alas… today is indeed Wednesday.
Read full storyAddiction and Death Strikes Again in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Breaking News Editorial - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Read full storyMy Embarrassing Moment… I Called the Police on the Police
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. As a writer who tries to be professional at least half the time, it’s kind of important to acknowledge the moments that make me want to hide under a rock. That moment happened yesterday afternoon. I noticed a missed call on my phone, so I texted it back (like normal people do). The reply was simply that they had a donation for our homeless outreach and asked if they could call… well, yes… yes you can. The voice on the other end of the line was a pleasant sounding fella. He informed me that he was with a certain police department and they had items to donate if I would like to pick them up. We agreed on Sunday afternoon in the lobby of the police station. As soon as I hung up the phone, a bit of panic creeped into my brain.
Read full storyFirst Degree Murder Suspect Guilty in Harrisburg, PA Sentenced to Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole
BREAKING NEWS - Harrisburg, PA. His name was Salvatore… a life stolen too soon… remember his name. He was a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend to so many. Sal will never have the chance to watch his daughter grow up. He won’t get to participate in father/daughter dances, teach her how to drive or walk her down the aisle when she marries her soulmate. Life isn’t fair and death comes for all of us at some point. Death should be natural… not snuffed out from someone with evil in their veins. It takes a coward to shove a blade into another human being… especially a coward who called Sal a friend. Real friends don’t kill each other. No one should kill another human being.
Read full storyFrom my Kitchen to Yours: Spice up Your Spice Cabinet
This is a work of nonfiction based on my personal experiences during this period of food inflation. I am taking my 35+ years of restaurant work and offering affordable tips and tricks to make your meals spread a little further. Food insecurity is a dangerous position to be in. Everyone deserves a hot and filling meal. Welcome to my kitchen...
Read full storyDear Best Friend… You are Stronger than Addiction
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Welcome to a day in my life… a moment where I can admit my weaknesses and downfalls. This is also a day where I can bring my strengths to the forefront. I’m fighting to save the life of a woman I consider one of my best friends. She is a lady that I met two years ago with our homeless outreach… it’s ironic the people you meet throughout the journeys. Those you expect to just be a random connection - something deeper can happen. I met a woman… there was just something about her… I had to save her. Honestly, she didn’t need to be saved… she needed the friendship that we developed. After that friendship, she fought to save herself.
Read full storyWhat in the PIPPIN is Going on at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations, events, and current community activities.
Read full storyMy Experience in Learning how to Overcome a Lifetime of Trauma
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Disclaimer - if anyone is in need of help relating to mental illness, please reach out to a licensed professional, If you are in a crisis situation call the crisis hotline at 988 and speak to someone immediately. Dialing 988 is now an active line throughout the entire United States.
Read full storyDear Diary… Welcome to my Midnight Thoughts
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Disclaimer - if anyone is in need of help relating to mental illness, please reach out to a licensed professional, If you are in a crisis situation call the crisis hotline at 988 and speak to someone immediately. Dialing 988 is now an active line throughout the entire United States.
Read full storyFrom my Kitchen to Yours: Stuffed Chicken Breasts on a Budget - Leftovers Provide a Unique Twist (Recipe Included)
This is a work of nonfiction based on my personal experiences during this period of food inflation. I am taking my 35+ years of restaurant work and offering affordable tips and tricks to make your meals spread a little further. Food insecurity is a dangerous position to be in. Everyone deserves a hot and filling meal. Welcome to my kitchen…
Read full storyUPDATE - Cat Shot in Head in Silver Spring Township Article - the Trap was Closed but it was an Injured Raccoon
Mechanicsburg, PA - UPDATE - Our efforts to trap the cat that was shot in the head with a bow and arrow are still going strong. We were optimistic today when we noticed the trap was closed. After checking it, it wasn't the cat (or any cat) it was an angry raccoon that appears to have an injury on it's head. We are now in the process of trying to get this animal transported and on it's way to being taken somewhere else to live it's life safely.
Read full storyTangled Thoughts: Seeking Clarity on Whether to Leave a Relationship or Stay After Red Flags Appear
*Tangled Thoughts is an advice column started in March 2023. Stories are based on messages and emails received from individuals who are seeking the advice of a larger audience. All contributors' names remain anonymous. Each story will be updated using the comments that are posted in the original story as well as an update from the person seeking advice.
Read full storyAsh Wednesday - a Day of Repentance and Enlightenment
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. The Catholic and Christian communities are embarking on the beginning of their Lent season. This will last for 46 days (up until Easter Sunday). On what is known as Ash Wednesday, a person is expected to repent their sins and give something up in their personal lives - much as Jesus gave up his life to forgive the sins of all humans. Being raised in the Catholic Church, I spent most of my life following these traditions. Although I no longer go into church settings, the teachings I was raised with are still present in my daily life. There will be no meat cooked in my household today and I will repent to God through prayer within my own walls.
Read full storyCat Shot in the Head in Silver Spring Township - Police Report Filed in January
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania - a police report was filed on January 18, 2023 with the Silver Spring Township Police Department. It all started in the overnight hours when my husband and I were asleep. We heard something that woke us up but couldn’t put our finger on what it was. Then we heard the faint sounds of meowing outside. Our thought was that it was just one of the many strays that our community is trying to capture for the TNR program. By lunchtime, Scrooge (our rescue dog from Speranza) was going crazy. He was running back and forth from the kitchen to the bathroom… scratching at the vent and crying… running back out to me like he was trying to tell me something. Indeed he was, that’s when we heard it loud and clear. It sounded like a kitten trapped under our trailer. The rescue mission was about to commence.
Read full storyScent Allergies Can are Dangerous if You Don't Pay Attention
*This is a work of nonfiction that was witnessed or experienced by myself and others. Everything you read has been written with permission and based on real life situations. Putting your finger on what causes an allergic reaction is a tricky position to be in. Was it something you ate… something you touched… did you change your soap products… it could honestly be anything. Dealing with scent allergies is even more terrifying because the symptoms are all over the place. The first time I personally experienced it to the point of hospitalization was in 1999, while my oldest son was in the hospital bed beside me. As we started to improve a few hours later, the doctors asked vital questions… has anything DIFFERENT been brought into your household over the past few days. That was an easy answer. It was the beginning of December and a fresh cut tree was brought inside to celebrate the holidays… my first real tree since I was young. My ex-husband was instructed to go remove the tree and deep clean the area around it while airing out the house. It was a long 48 hours and annoyed all of us. Problem solved… nothing pine scented has been in my home since.
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