Category: Blogs

Flies’ Goodbyes

Neesa Suncheuri

We met, we bartered, we pricked at a dead fly with needles. The papery light above us, a hangout for living cousins. Or perhaps he looks down on us now again, already reincarnated. All with gnashed teeth, insane smiles, buzzing … Damn them. Small hairs on my husband’s head, balding, Read more

Neesa Suncheuri

Neesa Suncheuri works as a mental health peer specialist at a housing agency in Queens, New York. She is the founder of a Facebook discussion group for peer specialists and other recovery enthusiasts, entitled “What is Wellness? A Mental Health Discussion Group.” She also maintains a blog called Unlearning Schizophrenia, and is a regular contributor of poetry and fiction at Organic Coffee, Haphazardly. She is also a singer/songwriter, and an enthusiast of the German language and culture.

Sometimes You Just Know

Jodie Beckstine Killian

We were friends for 87 days before we started dating. Despite being told you should date someone taller, prettier, smarter, more religious, you asked me out. When asked why, you said YOU KNEW. We dated for 438 days before we were married. Despite being told we were too young, to Read more

Jodie Beckstine Killian

Jodie Beckstine Killian has always been a little different. Growing up in a small Wisconsin town she stood out from the rest as a person born with Hypochondroplasia. As a budding entertainer, this wasn’t a disability but a “super” ability that allowed her to get noticed, but not always in the way she hoped. Stares, discrimination and cruel comments are something she deals with daily and writes about often. She currently lives in Florida. (She doesn’t miss Wisconsin winters). She works in marketing, social media and is currently writing her first novel.

No Words To Say Goodbye

Liz Lalama

“They’re on their way,” my mom said. My heart sank. This was going to be painful. I didn’t know what I was going to say. One of my closest friends was coming over. We had very similar, although quite odd, interests for teenage girls, but, this time, we weren’t planning Read more

Liz Lalama

Liz Lalama is a blogger and freelance writer. She lives with her husband in Pittsburgh, PA. Together they tackle the snow in the winter and explore the many parks and outdoor concerts in the summer. Liz has a vision for fostering community and loves a good chat at the coffee shop, on a walk, or at the playground. She has been published by Scary Mommy and Sammiches and Psych Meds and writes honestly about life, mental health, faith, and society at her blog saladatmidnight.com.

10 Do’s and Don’ts for Finding Gold at Goodwill

Dori Owen

upcycle using ordinary objects to make something extraordinary —URBAN DICTIONARY Anyone who knows me knows not to mess with my every other Saturday at Goodwill. You heard me correctly–Goodwill. It’s their 50% off Saturday where not only are there fabulous finds, but honey, they’re HALF OFF. It’s become a major Read more

Dori Owen

Dori Owen is a storyteller, writing from small town Arizona, after living a few decades in California as an LA Wild Child, with a brief stop in Reno. She settled into grownup life as a project manager, collecting an MBA and a few husbands along the way. She is a shown artist and her favorite pastime is upcycling old furniture and decor she finds from thrift stores. She lives with the cat who came to visit but stayed. The love of her life is her grown son who lives in Portland, Oregon. Her essays and poems have been published in RAW&UNFILTERED VOL I, StigmaFighters Vol 2, and Love Notes From Humanity. Her blogs have been featured on The Lithium Chronicles, Open Thought Vortex, Sudden Denouement, and The Mighty.

The Belly Bag: A Fashion Faux Pas?

Mary Rowen

During the summer of 1985, I swore I’d never wear my possessions in a pouch on my stomach. I was a goofy college kid preparing for a year abroad in Europe, and my sweet, safety-conscious dad came home from work one day, announcing he’d gotten me something special and important Read more

Mary Rowen

Mary Rowen is a writer and blogger who often writes about women of various ages growing up or figuring out what they want from this world. She grew up in the Massachusetts Merrimack Valley, graduated from Providence College, and has worked as a teacher, marketing writer, and political canvasser. She lives in the Boston area with her husband, two teenage children, dog and cat.

You are more than the size of your jeans

SA Smith

Being in my 40’s, my size has changed from decade to decade, all women’s do. That’s what is glorious about being a woman. We can change and adapt for what we have to accomplish … our bodies do that too.

SA Smith

SA Smith has always loved the magical life. She is the bestselling Amazon author of FOREVER, her four part young adult paranormal romance series. She is an advocate for women of all shapes and sizes. Believing that we are all enough just as we are, and needing to spread that word far and wide. Having been diagnosed with CRPS over 12 years ago, SA also uses her writing to increase social awareness of the disease. Writing is her passion. She often tells friends that writing is a journey for her. It’s like spending time with friends. "I just follow my characters along on their adventures, like a fly on the wall, and see where they take me." SA currently lives in Florida with her best friend/husband and their one son.

10 Ways to Live Your Life to the Fullest

SA Smith

I was at a funeral the other day of a dear friend’s daughter and child. After many tears, the clergy stood to read us the eulogy. He told us of a poem by Linda Ellis called “The Dash”. He spoke of the date of birth and the date of death, Read more

SA Smith

SA Smith has always loved the magical life. She is the bestselling Amazon author of FOREVER, her four part young adult paranormal romance series. She is an advocate for women of all shapes and sizes. Believing that we are all enough just as we are, and needing to spread that word far and wide. Having been diagnosed with CRPS over 12 years ago, SA also uses her writing to increase social awareness of the disease. Writing is her passion. She often tells friends that writing is a journey for her. It’s like spending time with friends. "I just follow my characters along on their adventures, like a fly on the wall, and see where they take me." SA currently lives in Florida with her best friend/husband and their one son.

What I Don’t Remember

M.L. Flickinger

I remember the fire. I remember the warmth of it near my skin. The night was cold. He was with me. I remember his smile. I remember his laugh. The night was dark. We stood close. I remember walking. I remember the path was dark The dirt was covered with Read more

M.L. Flickinger

Aside from writing, Melissa is an advocate for mental health and wellness - fighting against the stigma of mental illness. Focusing on mindfulness, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, eating disorders, ADHD, addiction, PTSD, emotional abuse, domestic violence, trauma, and recovery. She has a slight (okay, huge) obsession with coffee and all things pumpkin.