Posted in Life, Writing

Taking a Break

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I know you haven’t heard much from me lately and I’m sorry for disappearing on you.  I am going to be stepping back from my blog for a while.  I find that I have other areas where I would rather spend my time and blogging has become more of an obligation than a joy.  If what I’m doing here doesn’t bring me joy, then I shouldn’t be doing it. 

I’ve taken breaks like this in the past and I end up coming back rather quickly, as I miss my WP community.  We’ll see where this break takes me.  Happy Writing, my Friends and thank you for joining me on this journey.  Penny ❤ 

 

Posted in Life

Preparing for Emergencies

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

After a recent post that I did on Disaster Preparedness, I thought that I needed to expand on the subject, especially after some of the responses that I’ve received.

In this previous post, I made the comment that I was somewhat of a “prepper”.  The word prepper has different meanings to different people.  Some people envision a prepper as having a warehouse of foodstuffs, an underground bunker and a stockpile of weapons.  

Being a Prepper to me, simply means to have an Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Having a Preparedness Plan in place is nothing new.  Around 1950, during the cold war between Russia and the USA, selling backyard bomb shelters was popular, even a status symbol.   Tornado shelters are still a common sight in Texas.

A BASIC preparedness kit Should Have these items:

  • Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
  • Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle (to signal for help)
  • Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • Manual can opener (for food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

There are those people that may laugh or scoff at the idea of a Preparedness Plan.  But there are MANY, MANY reasons to do this.  To name a few: Earthquake, Flood, Hurricane, Landslide, Pandemic, Nuclear Explosion, Power Outage, Hail Storm, Tornado, Tsunami, Wildfire, Winter Storm, etc, etc.

An incredible website for information can be found at READY.GOV

Personally, I try to keep a year’s supply of food on hand.  I go through my food supply periodically and if I have items that may be getting close to expiring and I know that I won’t be able to consume it before it expires, I donate these items to a local food bank.

I also keep an extra supply of  daily necessities on hand, such as, toiletries, soap, shampoo, basic first aid supplies, etc.

Other things to think about during an emergency are important papers and  medications.  And don’t forget about your pets.  Be sure you plan for them as well.

There is much much more to this subject that I could expand on.  I encourage you to do your own research and make a plan that fits you and your loved one’s needs.

There are a lot of things in this world that are simply out of our control.  The best we can do in an uncertain world is to be as prepared as we can.

Below are a few websites with good information that may help you start your own preparedness plan.

https://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/index.asp

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html

https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/emergency-preparedness?lang=eng

Posted in Life, Poetry

Whiskey Scars

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes 


Whiskey was 
the medication 
used to dull pain 

When the bottle 
didn't provide 
answers 

He shared 
his agony 

an attempt to 
dissipate his 
misery

Punishment for those
whose pain was not
the same as his

The spread of agony 
simply resulted in 
unseen scars

Whiskey Scars 

The world
couldn't see 
my sharing
the lie

Copyright (C) 2023 Penny Wilson
Posted in Life

Zombie Apocalypse

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I’m somewhat of a “prepper”.  Most of you will understand what I mean by that.  For those of you that don’t, a prepper is someone who prepares for a disaster.

I don’t go to extremes, but I see nothing wrong with being a good Girl Scout or Boy Scout and preparing yourself for an emergency.

I’ve mentioned this to people in the past and they scoff.  I don’t understand this.  What’s wrong with having a flashlight and batteries on hand or an extra can of beans and some water?

People that refuse to have even just the bare essentials in preparation of an emergency just baffle me.

I know there are people that go to extreme.  I like to think I fall in the middle somewhere.

What’s your take on this?  Are you a “Prepper”?

Originally posted in 2017.  Still as important today as ever!  Copyright (C) Penny Wilson

Posted in depression, mental illness

HotLines & Helplines-What You Need to Know

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Have you ever felt that you need to talk to someone but you don’t know where to turn?  Did you ever think of calling a Crisis Hotline?  Maybe you don’t think you are in crisis.  You don’t want to ‘bother’ someone if it’s not really an emergency.  Maybe you’re embarrassed.  Right?  

You don’t need to be experiencing a crisis to contact a crisis hotline. At most of these hotlines, the volunteers and counselors who answer calls, texts and chat messages are trained to help someone in crisis. But you can also reach out if you’re feeling sad, anxious or stressed and don’t know where to turn. 

These hotlines also serve friends, family members and loved ones of someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, domestic violence, abuse, addiction and many other issues. 

Even if someone at the crisis hotline cannot help you with your specific needs, they can point you to the right resources that can. No one will ever make you feel bad for trying to get help, and no concern is too trivial or small. If it feels hard for you to manage, it’s worth reaching out.

There is a list of phone numbers, text numbers, websites and more ways to contact someone for help on my Mental Health Help page HERE. Below are a few of those. 

The Suicide Prevention Hotline in the US, available 24/7, is 988.  If you have any problem with this #, please dial the old # 1-800-273-8255. 

Is talking to someone too much for you?  It was for me in the past.  There is a Crisis Text Line.  Text 741741 and you can text with a counselor.

Want to do an online chat?  There’s a site for that too.  Find it HERE.

You can even TWEET with a crisis counselor at @800273TALK on Twitter.

As always, thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤

Posted in mental illness

New Mental Health Resources

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Since I started my Mental Health Help page HERE, I have been contacted by various companies that have asked me to add their Mental Health resources to my page.   I’m thrilled that these people have reached out. Getting information for Mental Health help is not easy.  Resources are hard to find.  Below are some wonderful people that have asked me to add their information to my page.  Since these additions are new, I wanted to bring your attention to them.  Take a minute to look these over.  There may be something here that will be the right answer for you or someone you know.   

Illnesses and other tragedies can bring on Depression and other mental health problems.  The website Asbetos.com is sponsored by The Mesothelioma Center.  This wonderful website deals with not only Mesothelioma, but the Mental Health issues that often accompany a diagnosis.  You can find more information and resources HERE.  and HERE.

With locations in Florida, New Jersey and Indiana, the Boca Recovery Center focuses on addiction, pregnancy, eating disorders, and mental health issues.  You can reach them 24/7 at 1-800-516-4357 or email them at contact@bocarecoverycenter.com

In New York State, Niagara County, is the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.  716-278-4541 is the phone number for “The Wellness Connection Center.” Walk-in hours are 8-11 AM. They accept Medicare and Medicaid and also have sliding scale fees for others with private insurance if they find their co-pay to be too high.

*Do you have information about an organization that has help available to people with mental health concerns?  Or do you know of a hotline, crisis phone number, or website that I do not have listed on my Help Page? If so, please contact me and if it applies, I will add the information to my Mental Health Help page.  

The Suicide Prevention Hotline in the US, available 24/7, is 988.  If you have any problem with this #, please dial the old # 1-800-273-8255. 

Is talking to someone too much for you?  It was for me in the past.  There is a Crisis Text Line.  Text 741741 and you can text with a counselor.

Want to do an online chat?  There’s a site for that too.  Find it HERE.

You can even TWEET with a crisis counselor at @800273TALK on Twitter.

You can also find more information on my Mental Health Help page  HERE. 

As always, thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤