I’d stalled out at the worst possible place—right at the top of Maple Hill, where the road curves just enough to make every car behind you impatient and every driver angry. I was sweating through my tank top, cursing the gas gauge I swore had another few miles in it. That’s when Officer Weibel pulled up behind me. No lights, no megaphone, no lecture—just a nod, a “pop it in neutral,” and before I could even process what was happening, he was pushing my car uphill with more muscle than I thought a person could have on a 90-degree day.…
Author: World Wide
1. Snakes – Why it happens: Snakes enter plumbing, seeking food, and can end up in toilets. What to watch for: Movement in the bowl or a surprise when lifting the lid. How to stop them: Install vent covers, seal cracks, keep toilet lids closed, and trim vegetation, 2. Rats – Why it happens: Rats can swim and enter via sewer systems. What to watch for: Scratching sounds or rats swimming in the toilet. How to stop them: Use rat guards, seal cracks, avoid flushing food, and install a rat flap valve.3. Frogs – Why it happens:Frogs enter through vent…
I was just grabbing a new lamp after duty for my living room at this little family-owned furniture place off Elm. Not even five minutes in, I spotted her—this tiny woman, maybe in her 70s, clutching the edge of a loveseat like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her eyes were darting around like she was looking for someone. I walked over and asked if she was okay, and she said real soft, “He’s coming back. I just needed a minute.” I figured maybe she was waiting on a relative, so I offered to sit with her. Then…
Sherman begins pacing at approximately 8:15 every night. He is moving slowly and patiently back and forth across the living room as if he is waiting for someone to tell him it’s time, but he is not agitated or anything. Our English Mastiff is him. 180 pounds of affection and drool. To be honest, he is not so much a dog as a weary old grandfather. Large sighs. Move slowly. eyes that are deep and thoughtful. However, his weak point? Our daughters. Sherman developed a nighttime routine on his own for our two children, who are six and nine years…
When the traffic light changed to red for the third time, I was already late to pick up my niece from daycare. I was tapping my steering wheel and tried not to loose it while two cars behind the front. Then I realized why it had all stopped. An old woman with a cane was being walked slowly by a police officer who had entered the crosswalk, flat hand up, halting on both sides. She wore this huge brown coat and held a tote bag as if it were a hundred pounds to her chest. It seemed as though she…
Due to certain medical issues back home, my unit expedited my departure, even though I wasn’t due to be home for another three weeks. It was my wife, Amara, who was the “medical stuff.” She was taken to the hospital immediately after collapsing at work. Over the phone, her mother was evasive and repeatedly said, “She’s okay, but… you should come.” With my heart racing the entire way, I flew home in my dirty suit, still smelling like sand and engine grease. I went straight to the hospital with my suitcase still hanging over my shoulder, without even going home…
I didn’t anticipate crying so much. Not with all those folks around. However, something inside of me broke as my uncle’s former K9 partner, Rex, leaped atop the coffin. As rugged as they come, Uncle Mateo was a battle veteran. After serving two deployments, he returned home with a jet-black German Shepherd named Rex, who very likely saved his life on multiple occasions. After then, they couldn’t be apart. Even after he left the military, Rex continued to work in search and rescue for five more years. We all expected that Rex would be devastated by Uncle Mateo’s death from…
I noticed it as I was passing the lake—a lone red rose with a message on it, lying close to the water’s edge. I picked it up and read the lines out of sheer curiosity. Could someone just toss this into the lake? My wheelchair no longer allows me to reach the lakeside where my late husband’s ashes remain. I have to drive back up tonight because the gates are locked. Many thanks, x My chest constricted. I checked around, but the person who had left it had already left. Feeling the weight of what I was going to do,…
It began as any other weekend side project would. Mostly word-of-mouth, I operate a small detailing business out of my garage. A man named Troy called me one Saturday morning and asked if I could give an ancient Ford F-150 a quick clean. claimed that he couldn’t return for some time because he had left it parked on his uncle’s property just outside of town. offered me twice as much if I could manage it by myself. Although it seems strange, money is money. The truck was covered in leaves and pollen when I arrived, as if it had not…
