November 2025 – Site Title

Sunday Morning

It’s another Sunday morning and I had a sleepless night. Chachi, the cat, was in his element and sleep was the farthest thing on his mind! The little brat decided that he was going to do one better than Cristiano Ronaldo on doing the “bicycle kick!”

He spent most of the night dribbling dry kernels of food and dashing from room to room. Then he did the hoops, not a pretty sight as the little guy is a tad overweight and lands with a heavy thud every time he tries that move. If that wasn’t enough, he would run across the room meowing loudly, “Watch me mommy!” Lord, have mercy. I decided to let him have his way. He’ll eventually run out of energy but that’s where I was wrong. He was like an eveready battery with enormous amounts of energy. Note to self: Cut back on feeding him too much!

Just as I was dozing off, he jumped on the bed, came over and pressed his face on my face and rubbed it all over with his whiskers! I found out that he was marking his territory or rather his property! Cats! They’re the only household pets who need “property.” The others are contend with being fed and taken care of but this breed needs property to feel secure and to know that they have the upper hand!

After a while of listening to his loud purring, I told him to go to bed. “No way!” was his answer. It was time for another round of football and this time he upped it. He was going for Ronaldo’s bicycle kick and I must say, it was pure perfection! The Little Butterball was having the time of his life and me, not so much!

Finally, I gave up and fell asleep. This morning, the floor was covered with dried pellets of food and the little thing was fast asleep in his bed looking absolutely adorable and purring up a storm. It was time to clean up the mess so I did. What’s this thing about football? I don’t know but this little guy could give Cristiano Ronaldo a run for the money!

Have an amazing Sunday.

Book Description

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a heartwarming children’s adventure book that celebrates imagination, courage, and the true meaning of friendship. When Honey, a curious Italian greyhound, meets Hubie, a kind and colorful frog, their unexpected friendship leads them far beyond the garden fence and into a magical world filled with Moppets, fairies, woodland creatures, and dazzling places they never dreamed existed.

Perfect for ages 6-12, this enchanting chapter book teaches children vital social-emotional lessons –loyalty, kindness, bravery, and standing by those we care about –even when the journey becomes difficult. Young readers will grow alongside Honey as she learns to swim, conquers her fears, rescues a friend, and discovers what real friendship requires: courage, sacrifice, and heart.

T. J. Mueller takes children on an unforgettable adventure filled with glowing meadows, whimsical characters, hidden villages, and make-believe magic. Ideal for early readers, bedtime stories, classroom read-aloud, and gift giving. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie captures the wonder of childhood and the power of believing in yourself – and in your friends.

Perfect for Parents, Teachers, and Young Readers Who Enjoy:

Animal friendship stories
Magical adventure chapter books
Imagination and fantasy for children
Social emotional learning (SEL) themes
Stories with strong moral lessons
Heartwarming books about courage, kindness, and loyalty

If your child loves The Wind in the Willows, Charlotte’s Web, or The Tale of Despereaux, they’ll be captivated by the charming world of Honey and Hubie.

Give your young reader a magical adventure!

Available on Amazon

Sweats & PJ’s

I love them! Sweats are my go to when I do my nature walks because you can’t beat the comfort factor. A sweatshirt paired with a pair of baggy sweatpants just about goes with everything. I add a scarf, a thick jacket and a pair of boots and I’m ready to go traipsing in nature. I like things baggy so the pants do look two sizes too big and since I’m skinny, (no the cheesecake fetish didn’t do a thing to my physique) , I seem to float in them! It doesn’t matter because the “comfort factor” is top priority and who cares if I look like Grizzly Adam’s sidekick!

The next best thing is pyjamas or pajamas. I call them PJ’s. I love hanging around in them. Flannel ones are my favorites when the cold weather comes knocking. Add a pair of fluffy house shoes and it’s enough to scare Chachi, the cat! He always approaches with caution, takes a sniff or two of the shoes and decides that his worst nightmare has come to life! Weekends are all day, hang out in PJ’s time. The thing about being a recluse is that I don’t have to care about what anyone thinks. Those days of dressing to the nines are done with. These days I do whatever I feel like doing and PJ’s fit in that mode really well. They have to be comfy, loose fitting and made of cotton or flannel. In summer I opt for t-shirts, big roomy ones!

Those are my two favorite things to wear. Of course, I do dress up when I have a meeting in town but I keep that to a minimum. Yes folks, I’m a “recluse” and I’m liking it!

Daily writing prompt

What are your two favorite things to wear?

View all responses

A Christmas Gift

Looking for a Christmas gift that brings a little old-school magic into your holiday season? Let me tell you, this charming little book is a perfect choice. It’s like stepping into a classic storybook world full of colorful adventures and heartwarming lessons. As someone who’s always on the hunt for meaningful gifts, I can say this story stands out because it’s all about the simple
joys of friendship and the wonder of imagination.

In a season that’s often filled with gadgets and gizmos, gifting a story like this is a reminder of how a good book can bring families together. It’s a way to slow down, share a cozy reading moment, and spark a child’s imagination. In other words, it’s a timeless little gem that fits perfectly under the Christmas tree.

Ron Betta

He loves this book and that is a good thing!

New-Fangled Technology!

I have an aversion to anything that is new and requires brain power to figure it out! My life revolves around “no changes” but, unfortunately, the tech giants love sitting up in tech heaven and they want to outdo each other as to who’s the smartest in the land. In their rush to come up with new-fangled technology, they oversee those of us who want to cling to the old way of doing things.

Cell phones, smart tvs, computers, and cars with so much electronic know-how that they can practically drive themselves and leave you by the wayside watching them take off on their own! I enjoyed knowing how to start, stop, and a few other things that I deemed necessary. However, my current car beeps every time or flashes a message that this or that needs looking into. Not only that, backing up is a noisy affair. I understand that it is all done in the name of safety but do we need to “beep” like the world is coming to an end! I can do without that feature.

Computers are next on the radar. I have a love-hate relationship with them. I can and can’t do without them. I want it simple so that I can get in, do my thing, and get out without pulling my hair out. It has so many features that when a question pops up on the screen, I try to get rid of it! “I don’t want to hear it!” is my response. The co-pilot, whatever that is, wants to know if I need help. “I’m fine thank you!” is my answer. Do we need so many new-fangled features? We were doing just fine when all you had to do was turn it on, do your thing, and turn it off. Maybe, tone down the constant deluge of new features and new technology. Tech Gods, are you listening?

I’m a tech klutz as I’ve mentioned here many times before but I am learning to keep up with the changes. The problem. The minute I get something down pat, it goes and changes on me! A message to all Tech Gods, find something else to do! Take a vacation and let’s slow down the insane pace of working overtime to flood the market with “things” we don’t really need!

Daily writing prompt

What technology would you be better off without, why?

View all responses

Unbelievable Book Review!

Once in a while something or someone comes along and blows your socks off! This is what happened when I saw this video. Ron Betta is a professional, an educator and an author and the review is fantastic! It’s like a Christmas present that came early! Thank you Ron, I really do appreciate it.

“The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie” available on Amazon.

The Separation

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make was the decision to go separate ways. I was looking at a 16 year marriage going under and a little boy who doted on mom and dad and I knew it would break his heart and it did.

However, there was no other way out of the predicament I was in. I could pretend to stay in a marriage where one person dictated how it was going to be run. Meaning “cheating” was alright and I had no say in the matter. He learned different. Still, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. I had to take everything into consideration. I was in a foreign country, didn’t speak the language well, and I had a young boy to take care of. I still remember the letter our son wrote asking if he was the problem and if he was, he would do better. It broke my heart.

Walking away and shutting the door behind me was not an easy decision for all the reasons mentioned above but there was one other thing that took a hit. It was my self-esteem. I hit rock bottom and it took a long time and much working on myself to bring it back up. I learned that “cheating” destroys, it is a selfish act and the person who commits it, well they will do it again. It is just a matter of time. It becomes easier the next time around.

I wanted no part of that. During my journey, I also learned to find my self-worth and self-respect. It didn’t come easy but I knew that I was worth so much more and being in a mediocre relationship is not what a relationship is about. I don’t regret the decision to walk away.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?

View all responses

The Publishing Journey

It is not just about writing the book, spending hours and hours on end putting it together, getting lost in a world where magic happens, but then comes the question, “What to do with it?” after it is done and finished.

The search began for a publisher who would love my book and give it a chance. I had two offers. One a mega publisher and the other a smaller children’s book publisher. I went with the big one thinking my book would be in good hands. Thinking and the reality are two different things but that’s for another time.

Publishing took a long time as did the illustrations and the back and forth with the publisher. There were times when I was absolutely frustrated and other times when I thought they were doing a good job. The day I had been waiting for came and I got the message that the publishing day was just around the corner! There was a certain sense of euphoria I can’t explain. I was on cloud nine but nervous at the same time. Will it make it? It was a question that kept doing rounds in my head. Then I saw the finished product and I was happy and not so happy. There were certain things that did not set too well. The book size for one thing. The cover was eye-catching and I liked that part.

I had a book out there! The publisher wrote saying, “Success of the book depends on you.” Hmm….I wasn’t sure what that meant. What do I do now? It was hard work getting the visibility that was needed to bump the book up from under millions of titles. Daunting? Yes. Then there was the question of ratings and reviews. In the beginning, it was mostly 5-stars and I was floating around. It was doing well, this little book of mine. However, I came falling back to earth when the first not so good review knocked me off my pedestal! I was irritated, frustrated and I wanted to reply but was told that silence is the best approach. I kept my cool and more reviews started coming in, mostly 5-stars and that one review that still bugs me was relegated to a space at the bottom rung of the ladder.

I still wake up some mornings and rush to see if the book is doing fine. When I see that it is, I breathe a sigh of relief and that, my friends, is more than irritating to say the least. I’m talking about my dependence on a book to bring my mood up or to bring it all the way down. I’ve decided that I’ve done my part and the book will do just fine. I will help it along but if it is a good book, it will find its way.

The sequel is finished and has been accepted. I want to wait a while before I go through the same process again. NOW, I just need a movie producer to pick the book up and to turn it into a hit! Any takers?

An Excellent Overview

I found this online and it gives an excellent overview of what the book is about.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie has been very well received, garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews from readers and book reviewers. Reviewers consistently praise the books heartfelt message, charming illustrations, and ability to inspire courage and imagination in young readers.

Key Reception Points:

Universal Acclaim: The book consistently receives 5-star ratings on platforms like Amazon, with reviewers from different countries offering high praise.

Positive Themes: The story is lauded for its meaningful themes of overcoming fear, the value of loyalty, and the importance of supportive friendships.

Engaging Narrative: Reviewers note that the narrative is well-paced and engaging, successfully holding children’s attention with enough suspense and whimsical language.

Authenticity: Many readers have highlighted the author’s sincerity, noting that the story feels “handcrafted” and is written with a clear, personal touch and love for their child, which resonates strongly with parents.

Visual Appeal: The illustrations are frequently described as “vivid and beautiful,” adding significant depth and appeal to the reading experience.

Overall, the book is highly recommended by parents and reviewers as a valuable read for families, offering a gentle, inspiring story that encourages children to dream big and value friendship.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is out there doing the rounds and ready to be picked up. Available on Amazon.

The Cinderella Effect (Archives)

A friend sent this a few days ago and it got me thinking.

“If life doesn’t feel like a fairytale,

If every beautiful sentence seems like ridiculous madness to you…..

Take your existence by the hand,

Be the artist of your own future,

Don’t wait for toads to turn into princes, or pumpkins into carriages,

Remember that everything that was conquered with effort, smells of joy that knows no limits,

Be your own fairytale.” Unknown

I would love to take that last line to heart that fairytales are made of fairy dust and all things nice. The guy gets the girl, a pair of glass slippers has the power to snare a prince and a fairy godmother who orchestrates the whole shebang! How far from the truth can it be? These days things just don’t work that way. I am not sure if it did work that way in Fairytale Land but make-believe is just that, you can work magic into anything and parade it as the truth and have people swallow it lock, stock and barrel!

These days you pick someone out of a dating site, whichever it might be. Then begins the excruciating task of deciding if it’s a “yes” a “no” or it lands in the maybe pile. It all boils down to as the saying goes from the Frog Prince, “You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your handsome prince.” Not appetizing is it? And even then, you might just walk away with nothing to show for it and that is the reality of it.

Life is not a fairytale. The girl doesn’t always get the guy in the end and there is no walking off into the sunset and happily ever after either. More often than not the shoe doesn’t fit and heartbreak follows in its wake. I could go on and on but I am going to stop right here and lighten the mood a little. I hope these quotes help to keep you company as we go through life searching for that needle in the haystack.

“Someday my Prince Charming will come. Mine just took a wrong turn, got lost and is too stubborn to ask for directions.”

That hasn’t changed much, you know what I am talking about if you’ve ever been in a car with a guy and he refuses to admit that he’s lost. Nothing new there.

I love this next one from Ms. Oprah Winfrey.

“Mr. Right’s coming, but he’s in Africa, and he’s walking.”

Ms. Carrie Bradshaw had a lot to say on this topic.

And just like that:

“A relationship is like couture. If it doesn’t fit perfectly, it’s a disaster.”

The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you that you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”

“Sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want and just see what happens.”

“As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a girl will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going.”

Don’t despair. As the Fairy Godmother said:

“Even miracles take a little time.”

If all else fails,

Ladies,

Please stop wasting your time looking for Mr. Right.

Just find Mr. Left and drag that sucker to the right!

Have an amazing day.