letsgetitoutfront

Most Expensive Personal Item

Hmm….I can’t think of anything. I would buy shoes, bags, coats, and clothes but when the friend was there, he turned the tables around. I don’t recall buying anything expensive anymore! He did all the buying!

He was into spoiling and he did it with relish to the point that at times, I would have to stop him from going too far. Birthdays were fantastic affairs and Christmas too. If I had a wish list it was fulfilled. It got to the point that I would tell him, no I don’t need anything. So he turned to my son. That kid didn’t know what hit him! My friend would ask him for his wish list for Christmas and my son would have 10 or more items on there. I would tell him, you are not getting all those things and he would agree. Lo and behold, Christmas rolled around and all those items on the list would be under the Christmas tree!

What did he gift me? I’m not going to talk about it here but only that he is going to be a hard act to follow. Not just his generosity, the kindness and caring he showed but a person who was genuinely a good person. It was a time when I didn’t have to second guess if he cared or not. It was plain for all to see.

I can’t really think of anything that I paid a lot of money for. Hmm…that means I’m not into throwing money out the window BUT once in a while a piece of clothing would catch my eye and then I go for it. Even then, nothing too expensive. I’m not a clothes horse anymore. Neither am I into material stuff. What I am right now is into decluttering so that I can see clearly for a change!

Daily writing prompt

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

View all responses

A Frosty Morning

It’s a harbinger of things to come. Looking out the window this morning, I realized that fall or rather the golden days of fall have flown by and in its place we have winter moving in leaps and bounds! The fields are shrouded in fog giving them an air of mystery as they cloak and uncloak in shadows only to reveal themselves in the not so distant future wearing their winter garb that lacks color but still beautiful to behold.

There is a certain something about the changing of seasons. It takes place in an hush hush atmosphere but it is so regimented that it never fails to show up, just a matter of time before a new one walks in taking its rightful place. However, I’m a little sad that the colors of fall were wiped away by the wind, rain and storms. I see one lone tree blazing red in the neighbor’s garden and how it escaped the gale force winds is beyond me but it is a beautiful sight nonetheless.

I’ve got a gardener coming by later today to help bag up the leaves that are lying carpet thick on the ground. The garden looks a mess. The rest of the apples are lying on the ground but it was a bumper crop this year, enough to give away to friends and neighbors. The fig tree was late to the party as usual. The leaves have turned brown but there are still unripe figs on the tree which will have to be thrown away. However, the ripe figs I got off the tree were sweet and juicy but I wish that it will show up earlier next year before the cold makes a showing. The water to the garden has been turned off and once the leaves are raked up, I am all set for winter!

The weather is not cooperating so no walk in nature today. I’ll have to bite the bullet and stay indoors and do something productive. I still have the closets to rearrange, summer stuff to be taken upstairs and stored away and winter stuff brought down. It is a tedious task but needs to be done.

Chachi will have a field day with that. He thinks it is playtime! I’m making Miso soup with tofu, veggies and Kim Chi added in for an extra dose of healthy eating! Seems like the perfect thing for today’s weather. Throw in a workout or two and I’ve got my day planned.

Have an amazing day.

Book Review

Reviews are worth their weight in gold because good ones are hard to come by so this one definitely put a smile on my face.

A Dad’s Perspective

October 29, 2025

Reading The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie with my kids was one of those experiences that reminded me why storytelling still matters. Every night, we’d get a few pages in, and they’d lean closer—not because the story was loud or flashy, but because it felt alive. The author’s words paint a world full of color and curiosity, where bravery isn’t about fighting dragons but about facing something new with heart.

The story opens with a dedication that perfectly captures its spirit: “May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of.” That single line sets the tone for everything that follows. This book isn’t just about adventure; it’s about protecting that childlike wonder we sometimes forget to nurture. You can tell it was written by a parent who understands how powerful imagination can be.

Honey, the miniature greyhound, and Hubie, the loyal green frog, are a pair that children instantly connect with. Their journey takes them beyond the safety of the garden into meadows, forests, and encounters with fairies, frogs, Moppets, and even a skunk named Twister. Through every challenge, Honey discovers courage, kindness, and the kind of quiet strength that resonates deeply with young readers.

The pacing is steady and thoughtful, which makes it perfect for reading aloud. There’s action and excitement, but also calm moments where kids can picture what’s happening or ask questions. My oldest, who’s just starting to read independently, kept stopping to guess what might happen next. That kind of engagement doesn’t come from noise—it comes from good storytelling.
What stands out most to me as a father is that the book never talks down to kids. It gives them credit for being thoughtful and imaginative. When Honey crosses the pond despite her fear or stands up for a friend, those moments land quietly but meaningfully. The message of courage and friendship isn’t forced—it’s felt.

The story has its quirks, and that’s part of its charm. It feels handcrafted, not polished by committee, and that’s a compliment. You can sense the author’s sincerity in every line. That kind of authenticity is rare—and children, in their own way, can tell when a story is written with love.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is the kind of book that lingers after the last page. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a gentle nudge to both kids and parents to hold on to imagination a little longer.

A timeless, heartfelt story that celebrates courage, curiosity, and the quiet magic of growing up.

Thank you Ron

LOL!

Okay guys, this one is a little naughty but I thought it was hilarious!

A man asked a waiter to take a bottle of Merlot to an unusually attractive woman sitting alone at a table in a cozy little restaurant.

So the waiter took the Merlot to the woman and said, ‘This is from the gentleman seated over there’

….. and indicated the sender with a nod of his head.

She stared at the wine coolly for a few seconds, not looking at the man, then decided to send a reply

to him by a note. The waiter, who was lingering nearby for a response, took the note from her

and conveyed it to the gentleman.

The note read: ‘For me to accept this bottle, you need to have a Mercedes in your garage,

a million dollars in the bank and 7 inches in your pants’.

After reading the note, the man decided to compose one of his own in return.

He folded his note, handed it to the waiter and asked him to deliver it to the lady.

It read:

‘Just to let you know things aren’t always what they appear to be. I have a Ferrari Maranello, a BMW Z8,

a Mercedes CL600, and a Porsche Turbo in my several garages. I have beautiful homes in Aspen and Miami,

and a 10,000 acre ranch in Louisiana. And there is over twenty million dollars in my bank accounts and portfolio.

But, not even for a woman as beautiful as you, would I cut off three inches. Just send the wine back.’😂

My Favorite Podcasts

I don’t really listen to podcasts that much. If I do, I turn to the meditative kind, more specifically, guided meditation. If I can’t meditate just by closing my eyes and the thoughts coming in are too disruptive, I turn to some of the recorded podcasts that do a marvelous job in a short amount of time.

Some of them are very soothing and a pleasure to listen to, others I can’t make out what they are saying so it is more than irritating. I have found several that help to calm the beast, that’s my mind, and take me to a place of nirvana at the same time. Sometimes, it takes as little as 15 minutes to soothe my frazzled nerves and to get me into a state of calm.

I also love listening to relationship advice podcasts. These usually give me an insight into what I’m doing wrong! It helps to get another viewpoint on matters of the heart but sometimes they are more than irritating as well. I can stomach a few but not all of them. Everybody is a guru when it comes to advice and you’ll find plenty of them out there. Just pick and choose carefully.

Those are two types of podcasts I listen to. I’m sure there are plenty more out there but since patience is not my strong suit at the moment, I keep it to a minimum. Plus, Chachi thinks it is all just mumbo-jumbo so whenever he sees me with my legs crossed and my eyes closed, he decides that it’s time to bug me! Spoiled beyond belief? Yes, Little Butterball is to the next level spoiled but who cares!

Daily writing prompt

What podcasts are you listening to?

View all responses

Two Book Reviews

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2025

Format: Kindle

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is an absolute delight from start to finish! This charming story captures the spirit of friendship, curiosity, and adventure in such a lighthearted and meaningful way. Honey and Hubie are two lovable characters whose journey is filled with humor, lessons, and plenty of imagination.

What I loved most is how the book balances excitement and heart — every chapter offers something new while subtly teaching about teamwork, courage, and kindness. The writing is vivid and engaging, making it easy to picture every scene, and the illustrations (if included) bring the story beautifully to life.

Whether you’re reading it with kids or just looking for a feel-good, uplifting read yourself, The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is sure to leave a smile on your face. A true gem that I’d highly recommend for families, classrooms, or anyone who enjoys a wholesome adventure story!

Monica Ackley

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

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2025

Format: Kindle

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T.J. Mueller is a charming tale that invites young readers into a vibrant world of wonder and discovery. Aimed at children aged 10–12, this 38-page adventure follows two lovable characters (Honey and Hubie) as they step into the unknown, encountering magical creatures and colorful landscapes along the way. What makes this book truly special is its gentle yet powerful message: that friendship requires courage, kindness, and a willingness to grow together. Mueller’s storytelling is vivid and engaging, making it easy for children to immerse themselves in the imaginative journey while absorbing important emotional lessons.

The narrative strikes a beautiful balance between fantasy and reality, using playful scenarios to explore real-life values like trust, empathy, and resilience. Honey and Hubie’s bond is tested and strengthened throughout their adventure, offering young readers relatable moments and meaningful takeaways. With its accessible language and heartfelt tone, this book is perfect for independent readers or shared reading time with family. Whether gifted to a curious child or added to a classroom library, The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a delightful reminder that the best adventures are those we take with friends and that even the wildest journeys can teach us how to be better, braver, and more compassionate.

Michael

LOL!

An old geezer, who had been a retired farmer for a long time became very bored and decided to open a medical center.

He put a sign up outside that said, “Get your treatment for $500 – if not cured get back $1,000.”

Doctor Young, who was positive that this old geezer didn’t know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000.

He went to Dr. Geezer’s clinic and this is what happened.

Dr. Young: “Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me?”

Dr. Geezer: “Nurse, please bring me medicine from Box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young’s mouth.”

Dr. Young: “Aaagh! This is Gasoline!”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your taste back. That will be $500.”

Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover his money.

Dr. Young: “I have lost my memory. I cannot remember anything.”

Dr. Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from Box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient’s mouth.”

Doctor Young: “Oh no, you don’t, that’s Gasoline!”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your memory back. That will be $500.”

Dr. Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days.

Dr. Young: “My eyesight has become weak. I can hardly see!”

Dr. Geezer: “Well, I don’t have any medicine for that so, here’s your $1000 back.”

Dr. Young: “but this is only $500…”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500.”

Moral of the story: Just because you’re “Young” doesn’t mean that you can outsmart an old “Geezer.”

Just because you’re “Old” doesn’t mean you’ve lost all your marbles!

My All Time Favorite Subject

It was hands down English. I saw “magic” in this subject because I was able to paint pictures with my words. Even at a young age, I became fascinated with it and did everything possible to be the best where English was concerned. It involved spending hours and hours of learning the vocabulary, learning to spell words correctly and to excel in writing. The time spent paid off. I became teacher’s pet and she always called on me when something needed to be explained and or made clear to the classroom. I was proud as a peacock as I walked to the front of the room and proceeded to lay it on thick! I could see her watching me with a beautiful smile plastered on her face and not only that, she was beautiful to boot. I still remember her today and the push or was it a shove that she gave me made me excel in this subject.

Math could have been another favorite subject but I had a teacher who made it hell for me. Unlike the English teacher, he had it in for me! I learned to hate Math and didn’t spend much time with Algebra, Geometry or whatever else he had to throw at me. Instead, I learned to cheat. I would get to class early, head to the best-looking boy in class who was also very smart and asked if I could copy his homework. He gave it to me and since I was short on time, I copied the answers but not the workings! Sure enough, the “devil” decided to call me up front and demanded to know how I came up with the right answers with what I had on the page. BOOM! I was caught. So he said, “Tia, I wish you were as good at Math as you are in English. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The next time I catch you cheating, I’m going to put you in that hole in the ceiling!” I looked up and sure enough, there was a big gaping hole in the ceiling and it put the fear of the devil in me!

To make a long story short, teachers hold the power in their hands to push students forward or to hold them back. Even so far as to make you hate certain subjects. I never came out of the “hate” for Math phase but I have a continuing love affair with English and each time I achieve something good, I remember that teacher who gave me the gentle nudge to do better and I did.

Daily writing prompt

What was your favorite subject in school?

View all responses

This & That

It is a beautiful morning here and after days of rain, wind, and dark skies, the sun is making a showing and it is planning to stay for a while. I decided to put my boots on, bundle up with a scarf and a coat and go traipsing in the fields. It was cold like I expected but the sun was warm as it landed softly on my face, not the burning kind that you get in summer but a softer variety that feels like a gentle kiss.

No one was out there as usual, not even the guy with the dog. We haven’t seen each other for weeks now. The weather kept me indoors and he was probably out there walking his dog but our paths didn’t cross. Oh well, there is time enough f0r that.

Today, my mind is full of thoughts dashing here and there and they need reprieve. Walking is the perfect way to get them all out there and to send them packing!

The book has been weighing heavy on my mind. I seem to be more occupied with it then I want to be. It’s like I’m eating, sleeping and doing everything else with the book in tow! Last night, I woke up several times in the middle of the night and I could see rows and rows of bad reviews dancing in front of my eyes! God, it was awful. I told myself to calm down but this morning, I jumped out of bed to check and the book seemed to be doing fine. However, if you have a book out there, it takes work to make it visible and that means hard WORK! Unless you have a fairy godmother who waves her wand and makes it all happen for you. I don’t so I have to put my thinking cap on and work at it.

Update on the stalker. He stopped sending messages a week ago but then two days ago he said, “Hi Tia, thank you for everything!” What?!! I don’t know who this guy is but he seems to be smoking something that is warping his mind! Anyway, my mind is clearer now and I feel lighter not having to worry about this loser.

What else? I went out on two dates with the cheesecake guy. Well, actually not really dates, I call them “friends just meeting up for a coffee and a chat.” The first one was and it was pleasant enough. However, he was peering into my eyes to see if the twinkle or rather the sparkle was there. He’s all about the “sparkle.” Unfortunately for him, the sparkle box is closed and there are no more sparkles to be had! Anyway, we talked about many things and it was really nice. He also brought a big bouquet of pink and white roses and that was nice too. A few days later, he called and asked for a lunch date. We went to this nice restaurant and I enjoyed the company. Just a couple of hours of good food and talking about nothing in particular. The tension wasn’t there. I didn’t have to wonder what was coming next. He dropped me off at my place, got out of the car to open the door for me, and then it came. This big, crashing, hug that left me gasping for breath and then he gave me a kiss on the cheek and as he moved to my lips, I stopped it, thanked him and I haven’t heard from him since.

Chachi says, “GOOD!”

I have another date next week. Actually it was today but I chickened out! So I moved it to next week. He seems like a nice enough guy. A medical doctor so it should be an interesting date. Even if it doesn’t work out, I get to pick his brain about things I’ve always wanted to know about doctors. Questions like, “What was the worst case you handled?” “Any spooky tales to tell?” You get the drift.

That’s about it folks. My mind is empty now and I’m ready to get started with my day and to fill my head again and this time I hope with much better stuff.

Have an amazing day.

A New Book Trailer

This one is cute! It basically tells what the story is about in a very short amount of time and I like it. Hope you do too.

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

Get a copy, give it a read and post your reviews and or ratings. Please be kind!