It is located two villages away and whenever I go to the new part of town, my eyes always look longingly at the old part.
Let me first tell you about the new part. This is ultra modern lined with shops, restaurants and markets. It is where most people go to get their shopping done and I love market days so I love Tuesdays and Fridays. Anything you want, it’s there and much much more. This is not a quiet place because you have to navigate the masses. However, once in awhile, it is a great place to have a cup of coffee and people watch.
Now, the old part of town. I would like to visit it some day just to take in the atmosphere and the peace that surrounds it. It is lined with cobblestone streets, the homes look old, dilapidated and not in the best of shape. Some are more than a hundred years old. The colors are subdued and when compared to the new part of town, this part has no shops but right across it is an old castle with a beautiful garden surrounding it where you can sit, take a break and just relax and watch the swans go gliding gracefully on the water. One day I will take the time or make the time to go there and take in what it has to offer. Maybe when spring rolls around.
Daily writing prompt
Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.
Update: I wrote this during Trump’s first term and nothing has changed it seems. If anything, he is shooting off “bullets” before his mind can catch up with him! The bully is front and center and he is using the office of the presidency to back him up. Talks of taking Greenland by force, talking down to the allies and single-handedly dismantling the “Old World Order” is all within his grasp and he is leaving nothing to chance. This is what I had to say back then.
The 45th President is in hot water again and this just days after the controversial firing of FBI Director, James Comey. The president alleged that the firing was due to Comey “not doing a good job,” and instead of leaving it at that, he went on to tweet a thinly veiled threat suggesting that there was a taped recording of his conversation with Comey further adding, “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press.” That threw him into the eye of the hurricane where he has been ever since.
As if that wasn’t enough to throw his presidency into a downward spiral, the president was off and running to his next debacle. This one involves allegations that he divulged classified information to Russian diplomats in the Oval Office. The Washington Post reported that Trump revealed highly classified information on the Islamic State group during his meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador, Sergey Kialyak. Yes folks, ignorance is bliss and where the new President is concerned, it’s enough to “sink ships,” or his Presidency.
The latest morsel of “red meat” was just what the press needed to send them scrambling to get the best angle on the developing story as dreams of “impeachment” riddled through the minds of die-hard Trump haters. Not so fast people. There is such a thing as damage control and the White House has been doing just that sending in the “big guns” to take care of business. If Spicer’s “stare down the press” tactics hasn’t worked, well, maybe sending in National Security Advisor HR McMaster might just do the job. In his no-nonsense fashion, he denied that the President had revealed, “Intelligence sources or methods,” but reviewed, “a range of common threats to our two countries including threats to civil aviation.” Was that enough to calm the “storm” and bring it to a screeching halt? Guess again.
Trump’s questionable tweets and actions have put his Presidency in turmoil once again and not even all the President’s men and women can put it back together again. This latest drama is one of his own making and if he doesn’t stop shooting off tweets from the White House during the early morning hours instead of getting some sleep, this situation is only going to get worse. Perhaps, he should take a tip from the 44th President, Barack Obama, when the going gets tough, go golfing. There is no better way to let off some steam than by shooting a small ball into a round hole at the same time cussing under your breath about all the wrongs of the world that needs righting. A surefire way to keep the lid on an explosive situation and you come off looking like a winner.
One last thing, the office of the President deserves a modicum of decorum and spouting off “secrets” at the drop of a coin and shooting off tweets like a teenager is not the way to get it.
Words have incredible power and they can either build or break someone down. The saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is so far from the truth. Words have the ability to stay with you, work within you and long after all is said and done, it can still show up years down the road and still have the power to hold court if allowed to do so.
Flippancy with words comes easily to some and to some cutting you down to size using a few choice words is a daily affair. Choose your words carefully and be kind with what you put out there because unlike that quote, words do have the power to hurt and to break someone down.
Here are some quotes that hit the nail on the head:
“Words and hearts should be handled with care for words when spoken and hearts when broken are the hardest things to repair.” Unknown
“Before you say something to someone, always think about how you’d feel if someone told you the same thing.”
I like this next one a lot.
“If only our tongues were made of glass,
how much more careful we would be when we speak.” Unknown
“The world is full of hurtful words. It is full of hate. It is full of people pushing others away. Tripping them with words. Words have the same power to cause harm as a stick or rock. We need to be better than that. To learn, to understand, to refuse to be the hurt.” Unknown
“Be careful what you say. You can say something hurtful in ten seconds, but ten years later, the wounds are still there.” Joel Osteen
Let’s see, I love walks in nature. It helps to declutter my mind and to bring peace and clarity to my soul.
I love spending time with Chachi, the cat. Just a hug and kiss from the little guy in the fur coat brings so much joy to my life. Plus I talk to him all the time and he just sits there and gives me his undivided attention. What he is thinking is something else altogether!
Meditation is my go to to feel rounded and balanced. It is my alone time but since I am not in a relationship currently, I am alone most of the time but meditation takes the “alone” time to a new high. My mind shuts down and I am transported to nirvana. I call it my “zen” zone.
Working out is a must for me. It always has been. I do everything from cardio, weights, pilates, yoga and fusion workouts. This is a godsent because it keeps my weight and health where it should be. Daily workouts are a must and I find it fun.
Lastly but not least is my love for writing. My mind is an overactive one. I need something to reel it in and to make it behave! Writing does that. Getting my thoughts and feelings out is a wonderful outlet to tame the “monkey” as I call my mind.
There you have it. Five things I do for fun but I left out cheesecakes because I love them but it is “cut them out” for now time. It is mindless fun but the addiction has got to go!
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Time to put those items into practice. The hardest, as far as I am concerned, will be the last one. I do overanalyze everything to the point that I start out with something small and by the time I finish with it, it has been blown to gigantic proportions.
Chachi, the cat, or Little Einstein as I call him understands a lot but if there is one thing I could make him understand better is that he is loved unconditionally and no matter what, he is part of the family and as such there is nothing to worry about.
Pets tend to have abandonment issues and I see it with Chachi. When I leave the house or if someone comes to visit, he runs and hides or meows in a small voice showing fear and only settles down after I pick him up and hold him close for a while.
I call him my “mini-me” and there is an unbreakable bond between us. It is hard to describe but there is a certain kind of love there and it transcends the human variety, just something very very special. If I could make him understand that, I think his world would be less stressful and he would be more at peace.
Daily writing prompt
If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller
About the Book
In The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, author T. J. Mueller takes young readers on a wild and colorful journey into a world full of imagination and wonder.
Honey and Hubie set off on an exciting adventure together, exploring the unknown and discovering that the greatest treasure of all is friendship. Along the way, they meet magical characters, face challenges, and learn what it truly takes to hold onto the bonds that matter most.
This enchanting tale blends fun storytelling with a heartfelt message, making it a perfect read for children who love make-believe worlds and meaningful lessons.
✨ Magical adventure – A journey into a whimsical world full of colorful characters ✨ Friendship at its heart – Teaches kids what it takes to build and keep strong friendships ✨ Captures imagination – Encourages creativity and wonder in young readers ✨ Engaging message – Fun storytelling with a positive lesson woven in
About the Author – T. J. Mueller
T. J. Mueller is an author who masterfully combines fun, imaginative storytelling with heartfelt messages for children. With The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, Mueller brings young readers into a magical world of make-believe while reminding them of the very real importance of friendship.
If your child loves fantasy adventures filled with magical characters and meaningful lessons, The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a must-read.
Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom storytime, or family fun, this book captures the imagination while sharing a timeless message: friendship makes every adventure better.
I never gave it much thought until now. Someone told me that Tia means “aunt” in Spanish. Okay but not that enticing so I looked it up or rather I googled it. I’m known as the Google Queen and it did bring up some interesting meanings.
I found out that Tia is a girl’s name of Arabic origin and it means “happiness,” “joy,” or “princess.” Tia also means “goddess” or “divine” and it is a very versatile name that can be used in a variety of contexts.
Do I want to know those different contexts? Not really. Let sleeping dogs lie, I say and we’ll leave it at that.
Daily writing prompt
Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.
I took my early morning walk and it was COLD! The sun was shining but the fields were covered in white. It was not snow but frost and everywhere I looked there were sparkles as if the fairies had waved their wands overnight and covered everything in fairy dust! Yes, my imagination is running wild but it always does when I make my way to the fields. It takes a while before my mind calms down and I feel at ease again. This morning, it was no different.
The snow and ice have left us and in its place, cold, bitter cold, has stepped in. The good part is that there is sunshine and it makes for a spectacular scene before me. The birds are chirping although I don’t see them. Spring is in the air? Not really, still a long ways to go but I did notice that the tulip bulbs in my front garden are sprouting and showing green as they peek hopefully from the ground. It is strange this weather but nothing surprises me anymore where the weather is concerned. It does what it wants.
Halfway through my walk, I met my neighbor and she was bundled up against the cold. We stop and chat for a while. She says that it is a gorgeous day and I would agree if not for the biting cold! Then it is time to take my usual route, up the hill, to the left across the fields, to the apple trees and back again. Nothing much was moving out there and it was a pristine day, the kind that promises much but delivers little. The weather is supposed to stay cold for a couple of days and it will make for “good walks” but come prepared. I have my Down jacket zipped all the way up, a scarf bundled around my neck, gloves on my hands and boots on my feet, and I still feel its cold fingers reaching out to let me know just how cold it is! Tomorrow, I will have to add my winter hat to the ensemble.
My mind seems to be resting and taking a break from running circles around me as it usually does. Suddenly, a loud squawk from a crow passing by catches my attention as it flies to a nearby tree and takes refuge there. It is quiet, peaceful and absolutely beautiful. Time to make my way back home and warm up with a hot steaming cup of coffee and maybe some cheesecake? I bought two slices yesterday and it has my name written on it! Willpower do your thing. I think I will write instead and sip on coffee sans the cheesecake.
“To me, a rich and satisfying life means one full of contrast. Give me sleep ins. And soft rains. Coffee shops and conversation. But also adrenaline and adventure. And drunken bellows to the stars. I am determined to embrace this extravagant life for all that it has to offer.” Beau Taplin
It wasn’t a great day for a walk, grey clouds were gathering and as promised rain was on the way. What a difference a day makes, weather-wise. Yesterday it was picture perfect, warm and absolutely mesmerizing but today it had turned tables and was ready to show another side, a grey and wet one. There was no beauty to speak off as I trudged nonchalantly through the muddy and leaf-strewn path heading for the forest line. Oh, but I was wrong for I had only to open my mind and my senses to see the contrasts between a beautiful day and a bad one. To my surprise, each had its own brand of beauty if only I wasn’t so quick to pass judgement.
The not so subtle rustling of the leaves caught in the interplay of wind and absolute silence was balm for my anxious soul. I needed peace but somehow it was missing today. Glancing into the forest, I noticed that it was quiet, too quiet. The trees were tight-knit and hidden in shadows of its own making echoing the onslaught of rain that was to come. I usually don’t like walking close to the forest because a feeling of unease usually envelops me and my senses are usually on high alert as it was today. There was no room to relax. I walked on in silence and in the distance, the hoot of an owl could be heard. I welcomed the distraction and made my way to the stream. It’s gorgeous in spring, its banks overflowing with golden daffodils but today it droned on in silence, devoid of color as the slow-moving water made its way to the pond where the storks gather. Today, there was not one stork to be seen. They too had gone hiding from the oncoming force of nature. Standing at the tiny wooden bridge, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was peaceful but the unease was still there. Enclosed spaces are not my cup of tea and neither are deep dark forests. I moved on, got back on the path and made it to the fields.
My mind began to relax as I took in the wild open spaces before me. I was free again and standing at the bottom of the hill as I took in the panoramic view. It was grandiose even through there was no sun to speak of, only a light purple haze enveloping the distant mountains. It was beautiful just the same. Just a different kind of beautiful.
Contrasts are necessary to show the light and dark aspects of life and today nature decided to show my jaded mind, come rain or sunshine, there is always something beautiful about each aspect if only I would open my mind to it and embrace it with open arms to reap the full benefits. The rest of the walk was uneventful, an ordinary walk but my mind knew that if I kept my eyes peeled, I would capture the extraordinary. It was just a matter of time and if nature was willing to throw it my way. As the first droplets of rain hit the muddy path, I pulled my jacket tighter around me and ran back home leaving nature to do what it does best.
The ebb and flow of life was at work and who was I a mere mortal to question the order of the day or how it was brought about to life. Just accept and enjoy was the message and I bowed my head to its all-knowing wisdom. I was at peace.
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