Articles written by P J Scanland

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About me - P J Scanland

My youthful ambition was a simple one. I wanted to teach and to write. I graduated from college with a degree in English then took a job as a bank teller. What started out as a means to pay the bills became a long career in various fields of accounting, finance

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Jobs & Careers > Managing Your Career (Other) How to build a case for telecommuting: 1 of 26

Telecommuting is a potential opportunity to benefit both the employer and employee. Many companies are reluctant to offer this option for fear it will become nothing more than paid play time. Before you approach your employer about telecommuting, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the impact on you. You will work...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Childhood: 4 of 91

The Shelter House The fire was perfectly set and the flames consumed the logs in just the right way, at just the right speed and with just the right crackle and snap. Dad was the best fire builder in the world. He stacked up the sticks we gathered from the ground and put them on top of his custom rolled newspaper. Then he'd ...
Health & Fitness > Health Care Should we care for our ailing loved ones at home: 1 of 5

Should we care for ailing loved ones at home? There is no easy answer to this question. Each situation is different and must be evaluated by the family and the loved one if possible. You must find the best balance of care, including consideration of family dynamics, living situations and the physical and mental health of pot...
Relationships & Family > Dating Dilemmas & Advice How to survive a long distance relationship: 8 of 32

The most important thing in any relationship is talking to your partner about any and all issues that come up between you. In a long distance relationship this is even more critical. Don’t assume the other person is feeling the same as you about all the time you spend apart. Keep talking to each other about your long r...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Writer's block: 61 of 193

Writer's Block Described Plop, blocked, slop, mop. More coffee. Tap, map, it's crap, nap. More coffee. Write plight. Write right. Ruminate, berate, hesitate. Submit it, sweat it, regret it.
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Spring: 60 of 187

Early Spring A gate post peeked through a snow drift today. The roof dripped steadily, but there's a foot yet to go. A clear night gives me hope for another sunny day. New life waits under the cornmeal snow.
Relationships & Family > Grief & Loss How to help a person cope with grief and loss: 2 of 6

When someone close to you suffers a loss, they may turn to you for comfort and answers. It's often very difficult to know what to say. Many people don't say anything at all or say the wrong things. That's too bad, because the words from family and friends can have powerful healing capabilities. There are a few key things tha...
Relationships & Family > Acquaintances & Co-Workers Healthy acts of kindness: 49 of 109

Change someone else's day for the better and you may improve your own. Mother Theresa's life of devotion to some of the neediest people in the world is an often cited example of kindness and charity. It earned her many admirers and could even have contributed to her long and healthy life. Few of us are able to compete at tha...
Autos > Driving & Safety Ways to avoid giving in to road rage: 42 of 92

The best way to avoid road rage is to focus on your driving and not let the actions of other drivers influence you. If you need to be somewhere at a particular time, be sure to leave early enough so that you do not feel rushed. When you are driving in heavy traffic there are bound to be people going too slow or too fast or w...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Childhood memories: 52 of 111

Wait! I told you. Don't get out yet! That was the last thing I heard dad say as I stepped out of the front of the aluminum boat. I turned around and watched it lift up and dump its meaty cargo then come down empty. I was frozen in place standing on the splintered boards listening to the boat clank against the heavy dock post...