Plenty Of Time To Reflect...How Well

 It's brisk this morning, a very cool 50 degrees something or another. I am on my first pot of coffee. The dogs have been fed and are in the yard rooting... those 4 pink snoots as if they were piglets are digging in the "MUD" and oh that Frances Bean, She tinks! She is a tinky dog! I swear the other 3 roll her in things! It makes her smell like a mix of dirt and other animal scents. Once I bring them in, they will crate up, other than my old girl. She is the queen and gets her pick of places to flop. The Aussie hound she is, most likely will blanket on the floor in front of the door and, carefully with one eye open, the blue or the brown, watch for anybody she believes is out to get us!

Right now, I am in the process of finishing one book and in the beginning stages of the other. When I am in creative mode, I sometimes even amaze myself with how my mind works. I think I have said, I see everything like it is a movie being played out. Each chapter has a scene. Not everyone sees or hears dialogue in their head, and I can't imagine how boring life is for that person. To have no imagination or the ability to create life, or the possibilities of what can be in fantasy. This may be through my coping mechanisms that I developed as a small child, witnessing a barrage of domestic violence and finding ways to create "happy" scenes of whatever the fancy is to suit the call for peace. Throughout life, I have continued that mode of escape, and mostly it has served me very well.

Where most people only come to know logic and what's in front of them, I see everything and hear everything through peripheral vision and the possibilities of what can be. I take what I know and I spin it in ways that others need to learn how to appreciate. You do your math and follow some rule. I will be over here watching your behavior and actions, and now I will spin that web and I will toil with a plot you never saw coming. Where my attorney says, defamation of character is only when you show a picture of the perp or use a real name. This is why in TV land you will hear the narrator say, " The names of the characters have been changed to protect but the situations remain as fact. " But as most should know, some very good writer has done their homework and added a bit of fancy quill skills to add interest to the subject and its matters. Also, it is no crime to TELL A STORY on how someone's behavior affected you or what THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU. Which leads me to, "if you wanted to be written about kindly, then possibly you should have been a better human and not hurt so many people who had your best interest at heart." This I have also learned in this whole process: if a person doesn't understand how someone could have done something, it's because you would have never done it to them. It just isn't in a healthy normal person's book of ethics to set out to deliberately be mean or cruel in ways that are book-worthy! On the other hand, where fantasy plays a huge role in romance books, it is just that one writer's view of how things should have been, and they look at everything through rose colored glasses and tell tales of what could have been or how it looked in their mind's eye. To romanticize life- it is a grand concept. The world might be a bit more ideal if the population took this approach. Well, in my book (wink wink), they should at least try!

Oh, this leads me to another page~ How well do you know me? You know my name and maybe you know my age (or approx), but how well do you know me? You may have heard some preposterous rumor, but do you really know anything about me? How did I get my name? "Kitryn," What color are my eyes? Did either of my grandmothers have the same color eyes? What is my maiden name? How many times have I been married? Children? Grandchildren? Religion? Do I even practice a religion? Am I spiritual? Psychic? Intuitive? What did I proclaim as an 11-year-old old, what I wanted to do or be when I grew up? Who was my favorite aunt? Who in my family made me laugh more than anyone in this world? What was my dad's name? What did he do for a living? How did he influence me by what he did for a living? Where is he buried? What is my favorite food? My favorite wine? My favorite candies? How do I like my hot coffee? My cold coffee?  Where did I go to college and how many times did I attend? What were my studies? What do I like to do? Where is my zen? Where is my most favorite place to be? Can you name the 4 people who betrayed me the most? Do you realize how intelligent I really am? Who is my favorite author? My favorite book? (There are 3) Do you know what movie I can watch over and over and never get tired of it? (There are 2) What other studies have I taken an interest in? And what schools/courses did I attend to achieve that skill set? What is my big picture? And what is my plan to achieve it? And this one I will give you... I use my middle name instead of my married name because my ex has been married 3 times and his mother is still among the living, so therefore there are waaaaay too many women with that last name #sarcasm. So now tell me, how well do you know me?

It is not what's you read in print  (social media), or it's not the rumors you hear about a person, although typically it's usually spewed from some guy who lost out on that woman, or the new supply he has filled her head with so many falsities, who just can not compete to begin with. Often times too, it can be from the betrayees that have filled their own heads with "victim-stance," never really looking at the facts, realizing who that person being runnored about, really is, or who have tried to get something over on someone because "some situation"  has wounded their ego!  It goes back to if you don't understand how someone could do something... it is because that person would have never done it to you!

Here is a hint into the way my mind is working right now ...  (2nd book) Seaside Shore: It is building the foundation of why my female character is leaving and heading towards...

Bangor, Pennsylvania: A Snapshot

Location & Size: Bangor is a small borough nestled in Northampton County, part of Pennsylvania's historic Slate Belt region. Covering just 1.49 square miles, it's situated about 32 miles north of Allentown and is considered part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area. 

Population & Demographics: As of 2023, Bangor's population stands at approximately 5,158 residents. The community is predominantly White (88.3%), with smaller representations of other racial and ethnic groups.

Economy & Income: The median household income in Bangor is around $63,542, with a per capita income of $26,235. Approximately 10.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. 

Housing: The median property value is $167,100, and the homeownership rate is about 61.8%. 

🛠️ Historical & Cultural Context

Slate Industry Legacy: Bangor's identity is deeply rooted in the slate industry. Established in the 19th century, the town became a hub for slate quarrying, attracting immigrants and shaping its cultural landscape. While the industry has declined, its influence remains evident in local architecture and community traditions. 

Welsh Heritage: Named after Bangor, Wales, the town retains elements reminiscent of its namesake, including stone walls and gardens. This heritage contributes to its unique charm and historical significance.

Implications for Jess's Boutique

Given Bangor's modest population and economic profile, a high-end fashion boutique might struggle to thrive. The town's residents, with a median household income of $63,542, may prioritize practicality over luxury in their shopping habits. Additionally, the decline of the slate industry and limited economic diversification could impact consumer spending.

Narrative Integration

Jess's decision to leave Bangor aligns with the town's economic and cultural landscape. Her boutique, perhaps too avant-garde for the traditional tastes of Bangor's residents, faced challenges in a community where practicality often trumps luxury. The town's rich history and tight-knit community might have felt confining to someone with Jess's aspirations, prompting her to seek a fresh start elsewhere.

She leaves Bangor to head towards the Outer Banks. She was left a resort through an inheritance.

The drive from Bangor, Pennsylvania to the Outer Banks, North Carolina is approximately:

  • Distance: ~450 to 500 miles (depending on which part of the Outer Banks—Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, etc.)

  • Drive Time: Roughly 8 to 9.5 hours without major stops or traffic delays

Route Overview:

  • You'll likely take I-78 W to I-95 S, then transition to US-64 E into the Outer Banks.

  • It's a mix of major interstate and coastal highway driving, with scenic views the closer you get to the OBX.


Research and facts~ before anyone can understand ANYTHING! Speculation and deduction should be left to story lines, not real people in real time with no comprehension of what is really going on :D

This journey gives Jess plenty of time to reflect, stew in uncertainty, and romanticize her new beginning—all while literally leaving behind the cold stone walls of Bangor for salt, sand, and second chances.

Snippet: 

Chapter Title: Last Light in the Window

The CLOSED sign hung a little crooked in the front window, the one that once smelled of warm sugar and fresh bread when the building still wore its apron as Rose’s Bakery. Jess stood with her fingers resting on the glass, watching the reflection of her own eyes rather than the sleepy traffic crawling past on Main. There was still something proud about the way the brick façade held the late afternoon light, a glow that kissed the green scalloped awning like a final goodbye.

Inside, the boutique was quieter than it had ever been. Most of the racks were bare now, hangers clinking softly as if whispering to each other. A few candles flickered on a side table—leftovers from a spring display she never got around to packing up—and the scent of sea salt and lemon balm still floated through the air like a ghost of intention.

Jess turned, letting her eyes drift from the worn hardwood floor to the high tin ceilings she once obsessed over painting the perfect ivory. She remembered her first day opening the doors of Sand and Sea—how her father sent a congratulatory bouquet she never quite forgave him for. Lilies. He knew she hated lilies. But she kept them on the counter anyway, tucked in a chipped sea-green vase she later refused to throw away.

Now that vase was empty, dry as bone, packed carefully in one of the three remaining boxes on the counter.

Frank from the coffee shop had come by that morning. Brought her a cinnamon roll and a hug that lingered a bit too long. “You sure about this, kiddo?” he’d asked with the worry of someone who’d watched her grow up without ever saying he was watching. “What’re they gonna do without you? Where’re we gonna get our overpriced scarves and that ridiculous French linen soap?”

She’d smiled—softly, with gratitude and sadness and something she couldn’t name. “They’ll survive, Frank. Maybe I will too.”

Skip hadn’t stopped by, but he’d sent a note: "Weird without your window full of floppy hats and sun dresses. Tell your dad thanks for stealing you back."

Except he never got the chance.

That was the part no one really knew—not fully. That this wasn’t about giving up. It was about stepping into something her father had left behind. Something he never pressured her to take, only hinted at in quiet conversations and postcards with short messages like, “The ocean’s still stubborn, like you. You’d get along.”

She wasn’t moving to chase a dream this time. She was moving because the one she chased had burned her out—and the one she ignored was beginning to make sense.

Jess walked over to the last mannequin still wearing a sand-colored wrap dress with coconut shell buttons. It had been a best-seller once. Now it looked like it belonged to another life. She unclasped the buttons slowly, folding the fabric carefully into a cardboard box already labeled Beach Inventory – Donate or Keep?

It was never really about fashion. Not in the way the world understood it. It was about curation. About order. About beauty with purpose. About giving women something that made them stand a little taller. She’d done that. And now it was time to do something else.

She locked the register for the final time and unplugged the string lights that lined the window. Outside, the sun was beginning its descent over the hills, casting long shadows onto the sidewalk.

She took a deep breath.

Bittersweet didn’t even begin to describe it. She wasn’t failing. She wasn’t fleeing. She was releasing something that no longer fit—not because it was wrong, but because it was finished.

Her father had always believed in legacy. But he also believed in second chances. In starting over. In finding joy where others saw ruin.

She turned off the lights. The boutique exhaled.

Outside, Frank waved from his stool near the coffee window. She gave him a nod, smiled once, then slid into her old Jeep—Pickles already curled on the passenger seat like he’d been waiting all along.

Sand and Sea disappeared in the rearview, but the scent of sea salt still clung to her clothes.

Next stop: Seaside Shore.

****************************************************

So whatever version you have read or heard about me... I have moved past the gossip and the lies told. While too many have stayed in their miserable lives~ my education and ambitions for something more have taken over. Where once I was told, "You just think you are better than everyone else." No buddy, I am just educated differently and have moved far away from the same 10 damn people off the only 2 blocks I know! People who stay stuck in routine use the same maneuvers and cast blame on every new person they come in contact with! and it shows!

It is a gift to romanticize life and see it very differently from those who have refused to evolve and progress into something better.

And for anyone brave enough to show up at my door, vehicle packed, my favorite coffee in hand with candies... Bangor Penn, is the destination and from there... I-78 W to I-95 S, then transition to US-64 E into the Outer Banks. It's called research!


Kitryn Marie

#writer #madeformovies #toomanystupidfucks





 And to save you the time in looking up~ The driving route from St. Louis, Missouri to Bangor, Pennsylvania covers approximately 900–950 miles, depending on the exact route and traffic conditions. It typically takes about 14 to 15 hours without extended stops.

Most common route:

I-70 E to I-76 E (Pennsylvania Turnpike), then I-78 E toward Allentown and Bangor.

Route Breakdown:

  1. Start in St. Louis, MO

  2. Take I-70 E across:

    • Illinois

    • Indiana

    • Ohio

  3. Near Columbus, OH, merge onto I-270 E, then I-70 E again.

  4. Near Pittsburgh, PA, take I-76 E (Pennsylvania Turnpike).

  5. Near Harrisburg, merge onto I-78 E.

  6. Exit near Bethlehem/Allentown toward Route 33 N.

  7. From Route 33 N, take the Bangor exit and follow local roads into town.



PSSS: When He Had Her; I'm working on the chapter called "THE BLACK WIDOW MANIPULATION"

Please stay tuned



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