November 2025 – Page 4

Book Reviews

Santa’s two new elves, Honey and Hubie are on the way! Find them on Amazon ready to make your Christmas, a Holly Jolly one!

A Charming and Imaginative Tale of Friendship and Adventure

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2025

Format: Kindle

This delightful book is a pure joy for young readers. The story of Honey and Hubie’s adventure is beautifully written, bursting with whimsy and memorable characters. From the Buttercup Fairies to the heroic rescue, the plot is engaging and heartwarming. The central theme of friendship is powerfully and sweetly portrayed as the two friends support each other through challenges. It is a perfect blend of excitement and warmth that encourages bravery and loyalty. A truly enchanting read that will surely spark a love for fantasy and adventure in any child.

Sharon Chelangat

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

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie brought me right back to
being a little girl again. The dedication—“May you never lose your sense of
fantasy because it is what dreams are made of”—made me smile before
the story even began. It’s exactly the kind of book I love giving my
grandchildren: gentle, imaginative, and full of heart.
Honey, a small greyhound, and her frog friend Hubie explore a world of
fairies, frogs, and woodland creatures, learning courage and kindness
along the way. It’s calm, wholesome storytelling—the kind I used to hear
before bedtime. My granddaughter listened quietly, eyes wide, and
afterward said, “I want to be brave like Honey.” That was enough for me.
It’s a story that feels handmade, not mass-produced, and you can sense
the love that went into it. For grandmothers who want to share something
timeless and comforting, this is a perfect gift—sweet, sincere, and filled
with magic.

Beverly

Trusting Your Instincts

Where do I start?!! I want to say that I trust my instincts because I have a good head on my shoulders but, alas, it’s the other part that I worry about. The part that sees and doesn’t want to see and does its own thing. So far, it has been running rampant and doing whatever it wants. I call it “my heart.”

I am a softie when it comes to matters of the heart. Deep down inside I know that the path I’m taking is not a good one and it will lead to trouble but still I keep on, sometimes out of curiosity and sometimes out of sheer stupidity!

This journey of self-discovery I am on has helped to keep me on the straight and narrow but the heart wants what it wants. It wants excitement, the feeling of danger, the throbbing that comes from the adrenaline rush and so it goes. I’m not an adrenaline junkie, never have been, but I go for the “bad boys!” The ones I know from the get go that they are better left alone. However, I want to play the “helper” or rather the person who wants to save them from their misery.

Self-discovery has helped me to see things with a clearer perspective. Still, I am not all the way there. It is going to take time. Do I trust my instincts? Absolutely!

These days, I’m giving the “good guys” more than a chance. They are boring but it’s time to take my boots off (the adventurous ones) and to give those house slippers a chance to reign supreme. Who knows I may just find what I’m looking for. A nice guy with a heart of gold and one who doesn’t need saving!

Daily writing prompt

Do you trust your instincts?

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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.

LOL!

Married for 60 years, they had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totalling $95,000.

He asked her about the contents.

“When we were to be married,’ she said, ‘ my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.’

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

‘Honey,’ he said, ‘that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?’

‘Oh,’ she said, ‘that’s the money I made from selling the dolls.

Lovely couple!

December

I have a love-hate relationship with December The year is drawing to a close and I have a chance at making things better as year end approaches and a new one begins. Add Christmas to that and what’s not to like?

Plenty. I love Christmas, the sights, the sounds, the scents, and just the feeling of peace that is everywhere. The house comes alive with lights and there is this dreamy quality about it. The fireplace crackles, add a blanket or two on the couch and you’re ready to snuggle and watch the flames burn. There is just something about this time of year. I love it and yet, there is a certain sadness because the heart longs for Christmases past when loved ones were near and it was a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the season. Christmas is no longer like it used to be. The circle has grown smaller and it is usually just Chachi and yours truly. Last year, I had a friend who came over but it wasn’t the same. This year, I might spend it with my “Little Buttercup” who is always ready to spend time with his mommy.

I have a love-hate relationship with this month. I love the cold, even better if there is snow outside, walks in nature are filled with wonder, and festive lights twinkling everywhere warms the heart and fills the soul with a certain something. I can’t put my finger on it. I call it “magic.”

However, there are definite downsides to this month as well and when you’re alone, it is magnified during this time of the year. I’m learning to cope with it and taking it in stride as I do with most things. Still, I do love December and all that it brings.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

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When Silence Speaks

Sometimes we think that silence is just that, a certain quietness where nothing happens. It is a void that is soothing but nothing much comes out of it. I beg to differ. I have found that if you listen carefully, “silence” has much to say.

“It’s been said that actions speak louder than words, sometimes, it’s what you don’t say or do, that sends the loudest message.” Carlos Wallace

Quite often when something doesn’t go our way and we are hurt by another’s actions or words, the first reaction is to let it rip. Let it all out and show them how you feel and during those moments, words are aplenty and so are emotions. However, when all is said and done and you are wrung dry, more often than not you realize that you didn’t achieve anything through those outbursts of the unsavory kind.

“Once you’ve matured, you realize silence is more powerful than proving a point.” Unknown

Maturity doesn’t show up wearing bells and it does not say, “Here I am, take me and use me.” It shows up when you least expect it and when you’ve gone though the growing up process. The one that takes you on the ups and downs, the one where you find yourself down on your knees and the one that shows you there is a better way of doing things without going ballistic. It is the quiet gentle knowledge of knowing that you deserve better and you will move on with grace. No shouting or being loud needed.

“And suddenly I stopped explaining, stopped fixing, and just moved on. I learned that silence speaks louder than words. No response is a response. Now, I don’t chase. I don’t care and I let people feel the weight of their own choices.” Unknown

Easier said than done? I know because I’ve been there. Things are hard and life is harder still but learning to navigate choppy waters is a must if you want life to let up on you. If something doesn’t go your way, take it in stride. If someone doesn’t choose you, let him or her go. If life isn’t going like it’s supposed to, stop, take note, and then move on knowing that whatever it is that life throws your way, you are fully capable of handling it. Let silence be your guide and your best friend. There is much to be learned during your bout with silence if you’ll only listen.

“Silence is not empty, it is the loudest answer.” Unknown

Not only that, it gives you the ability to get your message across WITHOUT SAYING A WORD!

Try it the next time you want to let someone have what is coming to them or you are chomping at the bit to say your piece. Stop and move in silence.

Have an amazing day.

An Italian Ice Place

I learned about this place from a friend and at first I thought it was an okay place but nothing special. It was run by Italians and most of the staff there are young Italians from Italy. Some don’t speak English, no German whatsoever, and they loved speaking in Italian. The problem? Customers had a tough time placing their orders!

However, the place grew on me. It was nice and cozy, the ambience was comforting and the people friendly. I love the decor and the music playlist had some of my favorite songs on there. It slowly became a favorite place to hang out in whenever I met friends for coffee and sometimes breakfast. If we arrived early, the place was empty and you can hear yourself talk. However, come lunchtime, it gets crowded and very noisy. That’s when it is time to go.

In summer, they serve Italian ice but throughout the year, they have Tiramisu, cakes, cookies, breakfast dishes like Avocado Toast, American style scrambled eggs, toast, and to top it all great coffee.

I am a regular there so they know me well. Just recently, a server from Argentina who speaks English told me that he was leaving to go back home. He is actually an English teacher back home and he was going back for a year to help his family and to teach but he would be back next year. There are others there that I have come to know well.

I have a favorite spot by the window so that I can people watch and sip my coffee in silence when I am there by myself but when I meet a friend, we can talk and laugh like we are the only ones in the place! It’s a nice place and since I don’t like crowded places, it works just fine for those rare moments when I get myself out and about. Oh, the bakery is right across from the Italian place and that is an added bonus. It’s where I get my beloved cheesecake! Not a good thing in one sense but for those days when my willpower isn’t where it should be, I break down and get a slice or two of cheesecake before heading back home. Not a whole cake anymore. We are making progress!

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

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A Beautiful Book Review

A Fresh Look at The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller
📚 Get your copy on Amazon

I recently spent a quiet afternoon reading The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, and I wasn’t expecting it to charm me the way it did. I thought it would be a simple children’s story, but there’s something genuinely special about the way this book blends imagination with gentle life lessons.

The first thing that caught my attention was how naturally the author brings her characters to life. Honey, the miniature greyhound with an enormous amount of heart, instantly feels like a character children can connect with. And Hubie — the bright green frog with a rainbow stripe down his back — adds a playful energy that makes their friendship feel real and endearing.

What surprised me most is how effortlessly the story invites readers into its world. The places Honey and Hubie explore feel almost dreamlike, yet grounded enough for kids to picture themselves right beside the characters. The mix of magical creatures and simple moments gives the book a comforting balance of excitement and warmth.

As I read, I kept thinking about how well the book captures the emotions children experience when they try new things — curiosity, nervousness, bravery, and the joy of succeeding. Nothing is overexplained or forced; the story lets kids understand these feelings through Honey’s journey. That’s something not many children’s books manage to do well.

The writing has a soft, comforting rhythm, which makes it especially nice for a bedtime read. You can pause between scenes and talk with kids about what they think Honey or Hubie might do next. It’s the kind of story that naturally encourages conversation and imagination, without feeling like a “lesson book.”

Knowing a bit about T. J. Mueller’s background makes the story even more meaningful. You can sense her deep connection to nature and childhood wonder in every page. Her writing feels sincere — not polished to perfection, but honest and full of heart. It reminded me of the kinds of stories that stay with children long after they’ve grown.

If you’re looking for a children’s book that blends adventure, gentle messages, and a big dose of imagination, this one is definitely worth picking up. It has that timeless feeling that makes you want to revisit it again — not just for kids, but for the adults who read along with them.

📚 Get your copy on Amazon

LOL!

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

Hilarious!

I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later. I don’t have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don’t have a curfew. I have a driver’s license and my own car. The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant and I don’t have acne. Life is great. I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People get out of the way much faster now.

Gone are the days when girls used to cook like their mothers. Now they drink like their fathers.

I didn’t make it to the gym today. That makes five years in a row. I decided to stop calling the bathroom “John” and renamed it the “Jim”. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.

Old age is coming at a really bad time.

When I was a child I thought “nap time” was a punishment. Now it feels like a small vacation.

The biggest lie I tell myself is… ” I don’t have to write that down, I’ll remember it”.

I don’t have gray hair… I have “wisdom highlights”! I’m just very wise.

If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would’ve put them on my knees.

Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven’t met yet.

Why do I have to press one for English when you’re just going to transfer me to someone I can’t understand anyway?

Of course, I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.

At my age “Getting Lucky” means walking into a room and remembering what I came In there for.

I have more friends I should send this to, but right now I can’t remember their names.

Now, I’m wondering… did I send this to you, or did you send it to me?

😂😂😂

Confident

I want to give the impression that I am so confident that “I could sell ice to an Eskimo!” I have another saying I go by, “Walk in like God sent you!” The first one helps when I am jittery or feeling like I am not enough and that happens a lot. It comes from being an introvert from my younger days and some remnants of that period in my life are still visible or rather they tend to hold court and have a field day with it! The second one helps when I’m meeting someone for the first time and if I’m feeling nervous, I wear that outlook and let me tell you, it works like a charm.

These days I can psyche myself up so that I walk into a room with my head held high and with a confident smile on my face even if I’m quaking in my boots! People tend to look up to confident people, there is this certain something “Je ne sais quoi” that captures their attention.

I went on a date this past week. It was our first meeting and I was nervous. Just a meet and chat and see where it goes from here kind of thing. I was early as usual and he showed up on time. Dressed well and with a bouquet of flowers in hand, he seemed like a nice enough guy. We smiled and it took off from there. I wasn’t feeling too confident, first dates make me feel that way. However, three hours in and we were still talking and he said, “I’m not going to take off running! I have all day and I find you very interesting!” I was thinking, “You don’t know the half of it!” Anyway, that “Walk in like God sent you,” part seemed to work. He did walk me to my car, gave me a hug (not a bone-crushing one) and a kiss on the cheek. What happened next? Well, that is for another time.

Coming back to the topic in hand, the first impression I want to impart is confidence, then comes the “niceness” part. It matters to me. All the rest can fall in line as the meeting goes on.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

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