October 2025 – Page 4

Interesting Projects

My biggest project that I have been working on is myself. There are things I see that needs to be changed so that is a priority as far as I am concerned. It is a long and slow process but I am seeing progress so that is a good thing.

The other thing I have been working on is to reduce clutter both emotional clutter and the other kind that clutters up your living space. I don’t think that I’m a person who just collects things for the sake of collecting but I do see a pattern where clothes and shoes are concerned. Even though I go with the bare minimum where clothes are concerned, my usual and daily attire being sweatpants and sweatshirts, I do have lots of stuff of the other kind of the more dressy variety. And I keep buying whenever I see something nice. I have to STOP buying, get rid of what I don’t use and to keep things from taking over my living space! Emotional clutter is another thing altogether. I have plenty and even though I’m decluttering and letting go of things that no longer serve me, there is still enough that bugs me. A work in progress as well.

Finally, I have two book projects that I’m working on. A sequel to my first book and a novel. The sequel is finished but the novel is a headache and a half! I’ve lost the thread so I’m letting it sit for awhile. Who knows I’ll get a genius streak and I can see the ending from here!

Those are the things I’m working on. Enough don’t you think?

Daily writing prompt

What have you been working on?

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Book Promo & Review

I loved this one!

Emilia Valentine

October 17, 2025

Every child dreams of a great adventure — a journey filled with wonder, friendship, and a touch of magic. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller captures exactly that spirit.

In this enchanting tale, young readers are invited to follow Honey and Hubie as they set out on a daring adventure into the unknown. Their path is filled with colorful characters, unexpected twists, and valuable lessons about what it really takes to hold onto friendship, even when things get tough.

Mueller masterfully blends whimsy and heart, creating a world of imagination that feels as vivid as a child’s daydream. Beneath the fun and fantasy lies a timeless message: friendship is one of life’s greatest adventures, and it takes courage, kindness, and understanding to keep it strong.

Perfect for readers aged 10–12, this book will capture the hearts of children who love magical stories and parents who appreciate tales with meaning and warmth.

About the Author

T. J. Mueller began writing at just fifteen years old, when her first short story made the cover of a well-known women’s magazine. Since then, she’s written countless short stories and articles, always returning to her first love: storytelling.

Her imagination continues to draw inspiration from the woods of her childhood, where her creativity was free to run wild. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is born from that same spark, a heartfelt journey into a world of make-believe where lessons of loyalty and friendship shine through.

An Introvert

Here we go again. Haven’t I put enough out there already? Okay, I’ll try to answer this one to the best of my ability without giving too much away.

I was always shy but there was a time in my life when I loved spending time alone just as I’m doing as a self-proclaimed recluse with my life right now. However, my “introvert” phase was an excruciating time. It didn’t matter how many compliments I got and how many times I got asked out, inside I WAS NOT ENOUGH! That was my opinion of myself but it mattered because that opinion dictated how I lived my life. That period in my life stayed for a long time until one day I broke out of that cocoon and like that butterfly I began to spread my wings and then there was no stopping the little “field mouse” who was now ready to fly.

Suddenly, I was oozing with confidence and there was no going back to that shy girl period ever again. I was lucky because most introverts have a hard time breaking out of that mold. I am still the quiet person but I don’t shy away from speaking my mind and neither do I feel inadequate. I know that I am ENOUGH!

Daily writing prompt

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

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Book Fiasco?

The book has been published and it is out there doing the rounds. According to one source it has been well-received. What does that mean? Then it is being said that there are discussions about it on social media. Hmm…what are they saying? The publisher is taking their time doing the marketing bit. Be patient, the book has only been out there for about two months is the message I’m getting. Strike while the iron is hot is my answer but I can’t do anything about it.

It seems to me that writing the book is not the hard part, getting it accepted is harder and after publication, well, I don’t even want to talk about that. I’ll just say I’m anxious and that is not a good feeling. Getting ratings and reviews is another story altogether! Now, I know why it’s important to give a rating for a product bought from Amazon. I never do, so I’ll change that and make it a point to give a review or rating the next time around. I can’t believe that someone from South Africa gave me a five-star rating! Who? Elon, is that you?

I found this review online and it sounds good.

Reviews for The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie on Amazon highlight the book’s focus on friendship, teamwork, and imagination, with one Amazon customer calling it a “gripping narrative that captures how adversity can bring friends together.” It is described as a “wild ride into a magical world” with colorful characters, which teaches young readers about the importance of friendship through an engaging story. The book’s themes are praised, and there are positive remarks about its illustrations and its ability to capture the imagination of children.

How is the book really doing? No idea whatsoever. Let me just say that if you’re looking to get a book published, be prepared. It is a journey and a rocky one at that! Here is a book trailer to whet your appetite, not a great one I might add but enough to find out what all the hype is about.

Lazy Days

Do lazy days make me feel rested or unproductive, that was the question. Let me see, I had a lazy day yesterday. I did nothing or next to nothing.

How did it make me feel? I can’t say for sure because I was happy when I started to take it easy and not do anything of importance or one that would require too much brain power. The output would be very little and I thought I would be feeling good by the end of the day. Guess again!

By the end of the day, I was feeling more frazzled and very anxious. It seems having nothing much to do makes me feel that way. Truth be told, it wasn’t just a day with nothing to do. I did my daily walk in nature and that was fantastic as usual. I walked home looking forward to another cup of coffee and than DOING NOTHING! “Not that quick” said life. The phone kept ringing, then I had mail that needed to be taken care of and a date if I wanted it. Got your attention? Yes, a date. It was the cheesecake guy. I hadn’t heard from him in ages and thought it was water under the bridge. To tell you the truth, I was glad that we didn’t have to do the relationship dance anymore. Chachi, the cat, was glad too. He never liked him. Anyway, he was on the other end saying he wanted to meet, just for coffee and a chat. I thought why not. I agreed to a date and time. Getting off the phone, I felt agitated. Dates make me feel that way!

I decided my mind needed something to keep it occupied. This “doing nothing” was getting on my nerves! I looked at my other projects, a sequel to “The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie.” It is finished and has been accepted but I thought it needed brushing up so I pulled out the manuscript and went to work. Chachi plays the lead role in that one and he does a mighty fine job. I got bored after a while and looked at my other project, a novel that spans three generations. Whoa! Yes, right. It is a huge project, 362 pages done and I am lost. Not sure how to proceed. Bah hambug!

What am I doing? It was supposed to be a lazy day. So I put my feet up, cuddled with my little guy and was feeling rested until my ex showed up. We talked for a while but I could feel something coming to the surface. It wasn’t good. I cut the conversation short and sent him on his way. It was downhill from there. My lazy day was nowhere to be seen and I had to keep moving to keep my mind from going to places I didn’t want it to go!

So do lazy days make me feel rested or unproductive. I can’t answer that question because I don’t think I have had one so far!

Daily writing prompt

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

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Anna Wintour

She is a British-American fashion icon who served as the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine for 37 years. Dame Anna Wintour worked her way up the ladder from humble beginnings to one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry.

Her no-nonsense attitude and with her iconic pageboy haircut, the lady demonstrated that doing things her own way is not a bad thing after all. She began her career in the fashion department of Harper’s & Queen in London. In 1976, she took over as fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar. From there, the world was her oyster as the saying goes. In 1986, Wintour returned to London as Chief editor of British Vogue.

“I want Vogue to be pacy, sharp, and sexy. I’m not interested in the super-rich or infinitely leisured. I want our readers to be energetic, executive women, with money of their own and a wide range of interests.”

Her style of management was often critiqued which in turn earned her nicknames such as, “Nuclear Wintour” and “Wintour of Our Discontent.”

Did that stop the one-woman force named Anna Wintour? Not one little bit. In 1980, Wintour was named editor-in-chief of Vogue. During her three-decade reign, she restored the magazine’s clout and produced some mammoth issues.

Wintour stepped down after 37 years at the helm but during that time it never stopped her from speaking her mind, her restless drive or her no-nonsense approach.

At a time when criticism was and is the norm where the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is concerned, Anna Wintour chose to go against the grain. At the Paris Fashion Week, she delivered this compliment to Meghan who was dressed in an all-white ensemble by Balenciaga.

Ms. Wintour: “How are you?”

Meghan: “Nice to see you.”

After exchanging a kiss on the cheek, Anna looks at Meghan’s outfit and says,

“Beautiful cherie. You look amazing.”

That was the nail on every critic’s coffin that rang around the world. The top person of the fashion world had spoken and so it was.

To drive the nail further in the coffin, “Vogue recently featured Meghan Markle on its best-dressed list” for her appearance at the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion week in October 2025.

Anna Wintour was and still is a force to be reckoned with.

Daily writing prompt

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

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Best Book Trailer

I love this book trailer. It is beautifully done and describes the book perfectly. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too.

About the Book

In The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, author T. J. Mueller takes young readers on a wild and colorful journey into a world full of imagination and wonder.

Honey and Hubie set off on an exciting adventure together, exploring the unknown and discovering that the greatest treasure of all is friendship. Along the way, they meet magical characters, face challenges, and learn what it truly takes to hold onto the bonds that matter most.

This enchanting tale blends fun storytelling with a heartfelt message, making it a perfect read for children who love make-believe worlds and meaningful lessons.

📖 Available now → Buy on Amazon

Why Kids (and Parents) Will Love It

✨ Magical adventure – A journey into a whimsical world full of colorful characters
✨ Friendship at its heart – Teaches kids what it takes to build and keep strong friendships
✨ Captures imagination – Encourages creativity and wonder in young readers
✨ Engaging message – Fun storytelling with a positive lesson woven in

About the Author – T. J. Mueller

T. J. Mueller is an author who masterfully combines fun, imaginative storytelling with heartfelt messages for children. With The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, Mueller brings young readers into a magical world of make-believe while reminding them of the very real importance of friendship.

Get Your Copy

📕 Paperback Edition → Order on Amazon

Final Thoughts

If your child loves fantasy adventures filled with magical characters and meaningful lessons, The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a must-read.

Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom storytime, or family fun, this book captures the imagination while sharing a timeless message: friendship makes every adventure better.

LOL!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

In class one day, Mr. Johnson pulled Johnny over to his desk after a test and said…

“Johnny, I have a feeling that you have been cheating on your tests.”

Johnny was astounded and asked Mr. Johnson to prove it.

“Well,” said Mr. Johnson. “I was looking over your test and the question was,

“Who was the first president?” and the little girl who sits next to you, Mary, put “George Washington,” and so did you.

“So, everyone knows that he was the first president.”

“Well, just a minute,” said Mr. Johnson.

The next question was, “Who freed the slaves?”

Mary put Abraham Lincoln and so did you.

“Well, I read the history book last night and I remembered that,” said Johnny.

“Wait, wait,” said Mr. Johnson.

The next question was, “Who was president during the Louisiana Purchase?”

Mary put, “I don’t know,” and you put, “Me neither.”

🤣🤣🤣

Characteristics of a Good Neighbor

Someone who is quiet, helpful, stays in their lane and is not a gossip monger. Those are some characteristics that I find necessary to being a good neighbor.

People around here usually keep to themselves but gossiping is a necessary evil in this village. What starts out as a small piece of gossip gets shredded and passed around until it comes out on the other end as something big and hard to believe or digest! I think it stamps from people not having much to do. Most are old and the only thing they have got going is keeping up with their husbands, household chores and gardening. Lest I forget, their window seat is their best friend! Nothing gets past the womenfolk here.

That said, there are those who are very helpful and caring. My neighbor across the street calls when she notices that I had left my garage door open. I have a tendency to forget and when the phone rings and I hear her voice, I know it is the friendly neighborhood watch person reminding me to shut the garage door! Then there is the one who brings me a jar of homemade jam made from the harvest of fruits in her garden. I find that to be very sweet. The gesture is often returned. Today, I gave away the ripe figs from my garden and she asked, “Would you like some apples?” I pointed to my apple tree and said, “I’m trying to do the same!”

I am lucky to have some good neighbors. Most are quiet and noise is not something I have to worry about. Most days, it is extremely quiet and I love it that way. I think I am a good neighbor. I’m helpful, friendly, and I make it a point to bring a bouquet or two of flowers to some of the women around here. It is well received and I’m rewarded with a great big smile!

It works both ways. It’s a give and take sort of thing. If you want a good neighbor, you have to start being a good one yourself. All I can say is that I have good neighbors and I am thankful for the peace and serenity that surrounds this place that I call home.

Daily writing prompt

What makes a good neighbor?

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Glennon Doyle (Archives)

She is an American author and queer activist and her podcast “We Can Do Hard Things” won two webby awards. She is empowering, inspirational and her quotes speak to and touch the heart. It has been said that when Glennon Doyle speaks, women listen and I’m one of those women.

“When a women finally learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.”

Exactly where I’m at now.

“I looked hard at my faith, my friendships, my work, my sexuality, my entire life and asked, “How much of this was my idea? Who was I before I became who the world told me to be?”

I’ve asked myself the self-same question and the answer is, I was free as a bird!

“This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places they’ve never been. There is no map, we are all pioneers.”

“I do not adjust myself to please the world. I am myself wherever I am, and I let the world adjust.”

I know this journey well. I am in the midst of it.

“I have met my self and I am going to care for her fiercely.”

Doing exactly that and I am seeing the benefits.

“We think our job as humans is to avoid pain, our job as parents is to protect our children from pain, and our job as friends is to fix each other’s pain. Maybe that’s why we all feel like failures so often – because we all have the wrong job description for love.”

This one made me stop in my tracks and to take a good hard look at what I’m doing.

“What I want to be, girls, is beautiful. Beautiful means ‘full of beauty.’ Beautiful is not about how you look on the outside. Beautiful is about what you’re made of. Beautiful people spend time discovering what their idea of beauty on this earth is. They know themselves well enough to know what they love, and they love themselves enough to fill up with a little of their particular kind of beauty each day.”

Beautifully said. What’s inside makes you shine on the outside and it can beat physical beauty hands down.

“Reading is my inhale and writing is my exhale.”

I haven’t done much inhaling lately but boy am I exhaling!

Have an amazing day and YOU ARE ENOUGH!