Posted in Life

Summers of My Youth

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Sometimes I long for the summers of my youth.  When summer days were endless and Grandpa was my hero, the biggest, strongest man I knew.  I remember days spent sitting on a summer sidewalk with a hammer and a bag of pecans.  Barefoot was the dress code.  Bologna sandwiches and playing in the spinkler on the lawn.  Going to the drive-in with the station wagon loaded with all the neighbor kids.  Brown paper bags of popcorn and falling asleep before the 2nd movie came on.  Being tucked into bed, with a tender kiss on my cheek.   I recall laying on my back on a hillside watching the puffy white clouds and savouring the tiny drops of nectar from the honeysuckle blossoms.  Fireflies in a jar.

Don’t get me wrong, life was hard, damned hard, at times.  But I thank God and my Mom, for beautiful memories like these.

Do you have a favorite Summer Memory?

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤

Posted in Life

Bedroom Before and After

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I’ve been busy enough lately that I haven’t had time to do any real writing.  Since most of you know that I am working on my house, I thought I would show you a couple of before and after photos of my bedroom!

The flooring had been removed down to the plywood subfloor.  The walls had a million holes in them and were a dirty, yucky, baby poop color. 

I filled in the cracks between the boards and any holes or divets with wood filler and smoothed out the seams as best I could.  I then sealed the floor with 3 coats of primer and 2 coats of Kilz Gray.  I painted the walls white.  At this point I was looking for Clean!  I then put a large area rug in the middle of the foor.  I love the way it turned out.  What do you think? 

Another view of AFTER.

Thanks for joining me on this journey!  Penny ❤ 

Posted in Life

House Surprise – Floor

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

When I decided to purchase my home, I knew that buying a home this old (1925) would have its share of challenges.  For a while, it seems that I was facing a new challenge, a new disaster, dailey.  I’ve started to call these disasters “surprises”.  My house was surprising me every day!

The photo above shows my latest Surprise!

When the builders of my home were putting this house together they did not carry the flooring continuously from room to room.  There is a break in the flooring between each room.  Some of the breaks are small, but some, like this one, are large.

The original thresholds are 1″ thick.  A real trip hazard.  Each of the existing thresholds are handmade specifically for that doorway opening.  I decided to replace all of the thresholds with those that are more low profile.  This has been no easy task.  Some of the openings that I need to cover are 8″ wide.  Also, most thresholds have a hole in the center to attach it to the floor.  The first picture shows you why that won’t work for me.

I finally found a manufacturer that makes these beautiful boards.  They are 1/2″ thick.  While not as thin as I would like, they will be at least half as thick as the exisiting ones.

I filled in the huge gap with some of that spray foam insulation.  The kind that expands after its sprayed.  This was the perfect solution to fill in the gaping hole.

Then after cutting and staining the new boards, I put them in place.  They are huge improvement over what was there.

My next project is the master bathroom.  I’ll post some before and after pictures once I’ve completed that room.  I hope you’ve enjoyed following along with me while I continue to work on my house.  🙂

Posted in Poetry

My Tomorrow Dreams

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com
Words left unspoken
the air heavy 
with emotion 

ready to pour forth 
but never finding 
the right verbage
the right time

Tomorrows 
that could have been 
might have been 

now laid waste 
behind us

Chances 
not taken  

Without risk 
there are no 
tomorrow dreams 

Copyright (C) 2022 Penny Wilson 

 

Posted in Poetry

Building a Habit

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I used to have the habit of sitting down for a while each morning to do a little writing.  I’ve gotten out of that habit.  Writing is an outlet for me.  A creative space.  I need that in my life.  

So here I am, sitting at my keyboard, tapping away at the keys in hopes that something wonderful will spring forth from my mind and finds its way to the page. 

A Gift
 

A gift from the past

Reconnection  of
hearts
entwined
 
Second chances 
seldom occur
 
to rectify 
decisions made
loves lost
shadows passing
 
Copyright (C) 2022 Penny Wilson
 
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey. 
Penny ❤

 

 

Posted in depression, mental illness

New Suicide Prevention Hotline – 988 – Is Finally a Reality!

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Finally, in the US, we have a 3 digit number for the Suicide Prevention Hotline.  It’s 988.  This has been slow coming.  Why, I don’t know.  But thank God that it’s finally here!  

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, you can now use the 3 digit number to reach a professional that will assist you in getting the help you need.  The old # 1 (800)-273-8255, is still available.  But the new number will be so much easier to remember!  

In the UK, if you’re struggling with negative thoughts or suicidal feelings, you can call the Samaritans at 116 123; and in Australia, call Lifeline at 13 11 14. 

THIS is a wonderful article about several crisis hotlines and texting that is available to a number of different people.  

If you would like more information on Suicide Prevention or Depression, please be sure to visit my Mental Health Help Page HERE.  

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  Penny ❤ Copyright (C) 2022

Posted in Life

Beauty at This Old House

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

In my last post, I showed you some construction, etc., that is going on in my world. This post, I would like to share with you some of the beauty I have here. You’ll see the reason I decided to buy this place and why I love it so much. I hope you enjoy.

Front of the property.
Back of the property. There is another 1+ acres behind me as well.
Wildflowers from my “Back 40”.
A bunny that I have had the pleasure of seeing on several occasions in my back yard.
A baby tree that I planted in my “Back 40”.

Despite the sheet rock dust and the needed repairs, the beauty of this place is what keeps me motivated to continue with the work here. I hope you’ve enjoyed the photos of my little piece of the world.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤

Posted in Life

Getting My House In Order

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I said in my last post that I need time to get my house in order. The photos below will give you just a hint of what I’m dealing with. I’m living in a construction zone!!

I am just beyond busy right now.  I’ve got several projects going at the same time.  My life is chaos, but extremely Happy!  Once things slow down for me, you will see me back here regularly again.  Until then, I’ll post sneak peeks of what’s happening in my world.  

Thank you for joining me on this journey,

Penny ❤