January 2026 – Site Title

A Gorgeous Day!

They’ve been talking about snow and freezing rain for the last couple of days and it never arrived. This morning, however, I noticed that Chachi, the cat was mesmerized as he stood by the window and kept looking back at me.

ME: “TV not working again Chachi?”

HIM: “You’ve got to see this mommy! It is BEAUTIFUL!”

It was. Snow had arrived in the middle of the night and it was a white world out there. The roofs were covered in white and so were the streets. I knew that I needed to bundle up and go out there to salt the sidewalk so that no one will slip and fall. It is tedious work but it’s a must over here and it is expected that you do what is necessary to keep the street safe and clear of any hazards.

After breakfast, I put on my boots, my thick jacket, and headed out with a big bowl filled with salt. The ground beneath felt crunchy and that signaled “ice” mixed with snow. It was dangerous because it is easy to slip and to take a fall. I did my duty and made sure my portion of the sidewalk was nice, clean, and salted.

Then it was time to do my morning walk. The sun was up and about and it looked like it was going to be gorgeous day albeit a little cold because the wind was picking up speed and playing havoc with the trees. I decided that I needed out in the open to clear my mind.

The fields were covered in white and the trees were frosted like straight out of a picture postcard! It was a beautiful sight. Still, it was colder than I expected. Not a single thing, neither man nor beast, was moving out there. I took my usual route watching as I stepped because the rock covered pathway was slippery. Some parts had puddles of water frozen in place and others covered in a mixture of snow and ice.

I gave my mind free rein and watched as it took off, leaving me to walk quietly and deep in thought. I usually think a lot about different things while walking hoping that the open spaces and nature will do its thing and give me some answers. Today, it was no different. I got some solutions and one of them was to break the problems down into smaller and more manageable portions. Solve one problem at a time. I’ve been running with all of them, facing me in all directions until it became overwhelming and hard to manage.

MESSAGE TO SELF: Work on solving things, one problem at a time.

Good. I plan to do just that. The walk was fantastic and the view gorgeous! I came back with a freezing nose but it was exhilarating. I love winter days. Time for a cup of hot coffee and to get moving on with the day.

Have an amazing day.

Letting Go

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I’ve written about letting go before but this time it is about letting go of adult children. It is interesting how they come into your life and turn your world upside down from the first moment you hear that cry, that helpless cry which signals for you to step in and take over as their protector and their safe zone. However, as they start to grow, life becomes a series of letting go.

“Letting go of adult children involves trusting your parenting, allowing them to make mistakes for growth, setting healthy boundaries, and shifting from directing to supporting.”

I’ve been grappling with the idea of “letting go” ever since my son got the news shortly before Christmas that he got the job he has been dreaming of. I couldn’t have been prouder as he stood there wearing the “cat who swallowed the cream” look and gave me the news. I was PROUD but a day later, I found myself gasping for air. The move would mean he would be four hours away, an eternity to me. Even though university was two hours away and I went from, “I can’t!” to I will survive this. I did. However, there were days when my anxiety took over and I had to talk myself down from the tree I was on. I needed to believe that he would be alright but it was hard to do. Somehow I made it through.

“As a parent, you quickly realize that life is one long series of letting go: watching your kid crawl, then walk, then run, and then drive away.” Deborah Mitchell

The papers are there, he will have to make a decision soon and then it will happen whether I want it to or not. Part of me wants him with me but he is no longer a child, he is a young man getting ready to fly. He is looking forward to a new life and even though the unknown is scary, I sense that he is ready to go.

“Raising your child well is hard. But learning to let them go out into the world and prove that you did your job right is even tougher.” J. Crane

It is TOUGH! We had a long talk yesterday and I see this young man who thinks he has the world in the palms of his hands and he is ready to show the world that he is capable, strong, and ready to rumble! I still see my baby. I guess I always will.

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.” Hodding Carter, Jr.

AND

“Loving your adult children means letting them grow, stumble, and soar on their own terms. Independence is their gift to themselves – and your gift to them.” Unknown

I KNOW that when the time comes and I have to let him go again, I will. Until then, I will talk myself into letting him go knowing that he has the wings he needs and I will be the wind under them if ever he needs me.

I’ve taught him well and it is time to fly even if my heart wants to hold a little tighter for just a little while longer.

“Being a good parent requires knowing when to push & when to back off when to help & when to let them make mistakes & then being strong enough to watch them go.” Unknown

I wish you well.

My Daily Playtime? (Archives)

I do have one thing I try to do everyday and that is to play with Chachi, the cat. We’ve come up with a different version of hide-and-seek and the little guy knows exactly what to do! I hide and he needs to find me. The difference to this version is that when he finds me and I catch him, he gets 10 kisses each time.

It’s not about the finding but the kisses that matters. Some days he walks away with more than 30 kisses but who’s counting! I love giving him kisses and he loves getting them and that’s what counts. It is a sort of bonding time for us but let me tell you, I am pooped by the time we finish! He walks off with a grin on his face if you can call it that, happy with the world and with his mommy.

Daily writing prompt

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

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Chachi’s Night of Terror!

Animals and fireworks don’t mix! However, every year on New Year’s Eve they are put through “terror” that they don’t understand. All they know is that their safe world is suddenly filled with noise and flickering lights. It was the same for Chachi, the cat.

It was a good thing that I was home to keep him company. This year, the fireworks started as early as 8:30 p.m. Some neighbors decided that they had waited long enough and it was time to ring the new year in. First, it was a few but even that sent Chachi in a tizzy. He looked at me with his big eyes, sat up on his haunches, looked to the window and then back at me.

HIM: “What is that MOM?!!”

ME: “Don’t worry, you’re safe.”

Then a few more went off and lit up the sky with a splash of color and he took off running. I let him go. He found a spot under the bed and stayed there. Half an hour later, he poked his nose out and looked at me again, suspiciously this time.

HIM: “Mom, why are you making all that noise? I don’t like changes!”

I picked him up to hold him close and to reassure him that there was nothing to worry about but he wasn’t having it. He jumped, scrambled, and went back under the bed.

Then midnight rolled around and the village went up in flames! Well, it was lit up like a stadium, with fireworks shooting left and right, you get the picture. This quiet little village that usually goes to sleep at around 7:30 in the evenings was loud and noisy with children running around with sparklers and parents trying to outdo each other as far as fireworks was concerned. It was a free for all! I watched sans Chachi. He was behind a cupboard and refused to budge!

It took all of 30 minutes but seemed like forever to the little furball. As things settled down, he stayed behind the cupboard. After much coaxing, he showed his tiny little face looking like he had been through a war zone! I picked him up but he was jittery and restless. A lone firecracker going off sent him running again.

Needless to say last night was a sleepless and restless one. He kept waking me up, meowed “Mommy” every five minutes and refused to cuddle. Morning rolled around before I knew it and he was up at 5:00 a.m. ready to go downstairs but not without his mommy! He kept close as I made my way downstairs and stayed close. It’s going to be a long day as I try to get him back to his normal self.

Should fireworks be banned? That’s like the Grinch who stole Christmas? It was banned for a couple of years but they are back at it with a vengeance. I’ll have to go out there and see what kind of damage was done. Each year, they use the garage area to set off their fireworks and this year was no different. Irritating? Absolutely. Cleaning up is left to someone else to do.

Okay, it is the first day of a new year and I’m going to take it in stride and work on getting Chachi back to his normal self.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! (2026)

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It’s page 1 of 365! A blank one to put whatever you want on it. Let’s make it a good one as we step into the New Year with hopes, dreams and unfulfilled wishes. May it all come true!

Dear Past:

Thank you for all the lessons you taught me. Not all of them were good but they had to be learned.

Dear Future:

I am ready to embrace whatever is coming my way! However, if I want to run back to my old ways, please drag me to the water and make me drink from it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

A New Year’s Message from Honey, Hubie, and T. J. Mueller

As the calendar turns and a brand new year stretches its wings, Honey and Hubie pause on the edge of their favorite woodland hill, watching the first sunrise of the year spill gold across the trees. And just like those two tiny adventurers, we — readers, dreamers, families and little explorers–take a moment to breathe, to look back, and to look forward with hope.

This past year has been a journey neither Honey nor Hubie ever expected. What began as a small tale about a courageous miniature greyhound and her daring frog friend slowly grew into something larger, warmer, and beautifully shared.

Children discovered them in classrooms.

Parents read their story at bedtime.

Teachers used their adventures to spark imagination.

Families met them together, one cozy page at a time.

And through it all, Honey’s gentle bravery and Hubie’s loyal heart reminded us that even the smallest characters can teach the biggest lessons.

Looking Back on the Journey So Far

The world of Honey and Hubie blossomed with every reader who welcomed them into their home. Their adventures –filled with fairies, Moppets, talking woodland friends, and magical landscapes — became a place where children could laugh, dream, and learn what courage can look like.

But something else happened too.

Grown-ups began to see themselves in Honey’s quiet determination and Hubie’s fearless curiosity. The story reminded many of us that imagination isn’t something we grow out of. It’s something we return to when life feels heavy and we need a spark again.

As the dedication says:

“May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of.”

This year, that message touched hearts in ways words can barely capture.

Stepping Into a Brand New Year

With the start of a new year, Honey and Hubie are ready for more.

More discoveries.

More laughter.

More unexpected bravery.

More reminders that friendship is one of the strongest kinds of magic.

Honey hopes this year brings quiet courage — the kind that helps little ones take their next brave step.

Hubie hopes this year brings curiosity — the kind that makes children ask questions and explore the world with wonder.

Together, they look forward to meeting new readers, revisiting familiar ones, and continuing their journey with anyone who believes the world becomes brighter when we choose kindness.

A Heartfelt Wish for the Year Ahead

From T. J. Mueller, from Honey, from Hubie, and from every magical creature hiding between the pages:

May this new year bring gentleness to your days, courage to your heart, and wonder to every corner of your life.

May children discover new stories, new questions, and new dreams.

May parents find small moments of calm and connection.

May teachers continue shaping young minds with stories that lift imginations toward the sky.

Above all, may this be a year filled with the kind of adventure that reminds you that magic is real, and it often begins with a single page.

From our little woodland world to yours, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My Biggest Challenges (Archives)

I think it is learning to undo some learned patterns and behavior traits. We become accustomed to what is comfortable and that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for us. The same goes for me. I tend to be very accepting of things that do not serve me knowing full well that they don’t but instead of putting a stop to it I make excuses and that right there is my problem. Sometimes being “nice” doesn’t necessarily bring the same into your life.

This year I need to stop being nice and accepting of things I know that are not good for me and learn to break the patterns that enable such behavior. It starts with looking within to see why such patterns exist and that is not a comfortable thing to do. It means owning up to and accepting what is there and changing it for the better. Not always an thing easy to do.

Daily writing prompt

What are your biggest challenges?

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