letsgetitoutfront

A Frosty Morning

The rooftops are sprinkled with white and so are the streets this morning. No snow yet but frost was there. It looked cold outside and it was. Brrr!!! I bundled up adding a thick scarf around my neck but no gloves and that was a mistake.

I walked as I usually do taking the same path and as I approached the apple trees, I noticed that the mountain was barely visible. It was shrouded in a haze. Yes, it was cold as I shoved my freezing hands deeper into my coat pockets. Nothing was moving out there, just a big fat crow cawing about something. My guess is, it was complaining about the weather as well. It kept me company for a while until a neighbor came into view with her dog. We stopped, exchanged niceties and the topic turned to our kids. She has twins, a boy and a girl, each one as different as night and day. The girl is dark-haired and the boy a blond. The boy sweet-natured and an absolute sweatheart and the girl, not so much. They are both the same age as my son. The conversation turned to the children and how they were doing. Turns out, I’m not the only one having to deal with the “walking on eggshells” concept. She was having the same problem which made me feel a little bit better. I waved her on and took the other path heading to the fields.

It was quiet, too quiet. The world was still asleep and the “cold” it was now kissing the tip of my nose and it was time to head back. The weather forecast is predicting snow for Saturday. I’m actually looking forward to some snow to get me in the Christmas spirit. My ex told me that our son will be heading home for the holidays. He doesn’t want to stay with me because I have strict rules about letting his friends using my place as party central. The last time it was late nights, lots of noise and a constant run to the bathroom! They are no longer scrawny kids but tall, strapping young men! So, my son has decided to stay at his Oma’s, just a stone’s throw from where I live. I won’t have the hassle and he will still come visit. A win-win situation either way.

It was time for another cup of coffee but Chachi, the cat, just walked in and let out a loud meow! He loves having his mommy at home 24/7 and absolutely hates it when I take off for an hour or two. Spoiled? Absolutely, but I’m not complaining. It is kiss and cuddle time with the little brat!

Have an amazing day.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie

Honey is a miniature greyhound with more heart than height.

Hubie is a frog with loyalty bigger than his leap.

Together? They’re trouble, wonder, and magic rolled into one unlikely duo.

Their world begins in a quiet garden…until curiosity nudges them past the garden fence and into a realm where fairies whisper, creatures squabble, and courage is measured in kindness, not size. Every step pulls them deeper into a place where the rules bend, friendships matter, and even the smallest adventurer can shake the leaves on the tallest tree.

But behind all the sparkle and silliness lies a gentle truth:

Friendship isn’t something you find once. It’s something you choose again and again – especially when the path gets bumpy.

T. J. Mueller doesn’t just tell a story; she opens a door. Kids don’t read this adventure —they step into it, laugh through it, hold their breath in the tricky bits, and come out feeling a little braver, a little kinder, and a whole lot more magical.

A perfect read for kids who love adventure, animals, and worlds where imagination is the strongest superpower of all.

Available on Amazon

LOL!

A man is talking to the family doctor, “Doc, I think my wife’s going deaf.”

The doctor answers, “Well, here’s something you can try on her to test her hearing. Stand some distance away from her and ask her a question. If she doesn’t answer, move a little closer and ask again. Keep repeating this until she answers. Then you’ll be able to tell just how hard of hearing she really is.”

The man goes home and tries it out.

He walks in the door and says, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

He doesn’t hear an answer, so he moves closer to her.

“Honey, what’s for dinner?” Still no answer.

He repeats this several times until he’s standing just a few feet away from her.

Finally, she answers,

“For the eleventh time, I said we’re having MEATLOAF!”

🤣🤣🤣

Night or Morning Person?

It all depends. I don’t think I’m a night person but sometimes circumstances make me that way. Sleepless nights come walking in when Chachi, the cat, is in his element and since he is active at night, I have no choice but to keep him company! Not every night but once in a while and then I think I’m a “night person.” Little brat loves terrorizing his stuffed birds and when he’s at it, I’m on the computer getting things done!

On the other hand, I don’t think I’m a morning person either. I need time to get moving from stretching in bed to breakfast takes time. However, as the day picks up speed, I find myself keeping up with it. It is not that hard to do as I don’t take naps during the day and I keep moving, only stopping when I take time out for meditation or to de-stress.

Coming back to your question, I think I can do both. I don’t see any problems with it although I prefer to get my eight hours in if “Little Buttercup” will let me!

Daily writing prompt

Are you more of a night or morning person?

View all responses

Meat or No Meat?

I eat meat in moderation. Cutting back on meat consumption is a personal choice. Once a week is my preference. Today, I have a pot of soup cooking on the stove with meat, lentils, and veggies. A perfect meal for a cold and rainy winter’s day.

Most days, I have fish and or just plain veggies. Sometimes, I do the Chachi diet of tuna. Unlike Chachi’s canned food variety, mine is turned into tuna patties, tuna salad or tuna this or that. Sardines are another favorite. They are high in protein, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and calcium. so what’s not to like?

When it comes to meat, I do go for the lean variety, although, I do love fatty cuts as well and sometimes belly pork. These are turned into a Korean style soup with a red pepper paste. It is delicious. However, this is a treat so I keep it to a bare minimum.

I don’t think I can do completely without meat. It has a certain something that appeals to my tastebuds. Take the Iberico pork variety, they are black, red, or spotted pigs fed with acorns and the meat is scrumptious! However, you have to pay a pretty penny if you want to have it on your table.

My feelings about meat? It’s not a must but I do like it now and then.

Daily writing prompt

What are your feelings about eating meat?

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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?

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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?

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