A Storm Named Joshua

The storm moved in yesterday and it looks like it is planning to stay for awhile. Things rattled in the garden last night as gale-force winds showed their might, huffing and puffing better than any wolf could! It was interesting listening to it and each time I heard a loud bang, I rushed to the balcony to check if a tree or two had fallen down but thankfully there was nothing. Just that my compost bin had its cover wide-open but there was nothing much I could do about it last night.

This morning, I had every intention of getting out there. I did my grocery shopping but on my way back I noticed that the wind was picking up speed again and bilious clouds were gathering like fists along the skyline. It was packing a punch and just a matter of time before the rain would follow keeping some of us homebound and out of the way of the first strong fall storm.

So no walk as planned. Weather forecasters are warning of possible rail delays and travel disruptions across the country. Gale-force winds could reach up to 120 km/h in some places but it is not that strong here yet, but I don’t want to risk taking a walk and have something come barreling down at me.

I’m biting the bullet and opting for a quiet and cozy day with Chachi, the cat, for company. Soup sounds good so I’ve got a pot of spicy coconut and fish soup on the stove and later I might just make a cake. A healthy one with yogurt, coconut flour, almond milk and maybe even some coconut flakes thrown in for extra texture.

That’s the plan.

Have an amazing day.

Showing Up

Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya on Pexels.com

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” Brene Brown

It is also the hardest thing to do. Pulling the covers over your head, staying in bed and letting the day carry on without you is the norm and putting all your attention on the one thing or couple of things that tell you, not showing up is the way to go. I think we’ve all had those days and for some, it is a daily existence and for others it is a short stop before we pick up and carry on. Whichever the case may be for you, staying put is not going to do it. It takes courage to move on.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Brene Brown

Your first step to showing up for yourself is to show up as you are, fears and all. “Showing up is the act of being present and vulnerable, and courage is the ability to do so despite being afraid.” I realized that I haven’t been showing up for myself these past two weeks. Fear has stepped in and peace of mind is nowhere to be seen. I seem to be wading through thick, gooey mud and each step is painstakingly slow if at all. I want the day to go away and staying under the covers is where I would like to spend my days. However, something stopped me in my tracks yesterday. Call it courage, call it intuition, or just my mind telling me to “BUCKLE UP!” and MOVE! It worked.

Today is another day and I am moving for all I’m worth. It’s not the physical kind of moving I’m talking about but the mental and emotional kind. Enough of the self-pity, the negative self talk, and the “I can’t do this” mentality. I know I can and I will!

“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up.” Unknown

It is exactly what I’m doing today. The stalker sent this message last night.

“Good evening Tia, do you know who I am?”

My answer today is, “I don’t give a flying flip!”

I’m on the move again and I intend to show up for myself with bells on! Taking your power back from whatever is holding you back is a necessary step, letting go of people who bring you down is important but more than that, knowing that you are fully capable of handling whatever comes your way is one big leap towards moving on with life.

“There will be moments in life when showing up for yourself will mean leaving behind those who don’t.” Alex Elle

Show up, take life by the horns, and move forward decisively. Exactly what I’m doing today. The sun is showing up after the storm last night and it seems to be a clear signal to get MOVING!

Have an amazing day.

Christmas Jingle

It is storming with gale force winds outside and I decided that Honey and Hubie needed some cheering up! Let’s amp up the Christmas music since that time of year is just around the corner and cozy up with a book and good cheer!

None Whatsoever!

I’m not interested in any alternate career paths anymore. I’ve retreated from what I was doing and now I’m happy doing what I love best and that is writing and enjoying my free time.

There was a time when I wanted to travel the world as a travel reporter but then came my other career path which led to different parts of the world. I love being a homebody now.

Career paths are complicated as my son is finding out now. He is at the beginning of his career path and it is a difficult adjustment. He doesn’t know which path or rather job will take him on the right path to success. I was there once and I get him totally. Sometimes it is trial and error and sometimes it takes a narrow-minded focus. Sometimes a little bit of luck helps too. Whatever path he chooses, I know that he will find his way as I did.

As to your question, I’m not interested in anything right now. Oh wait a minute, best-selling author might be one! I don’t see a chance of that happening so again “none whatsover.”

Daily writing prompt

What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?

View all responses

LOL!

Two old guys are pushing their carts around Walmart when they collide:

The first old guy says to the second guy, “Sorry about that. I’m looking for my wife and I guess I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”

The second old guy says, “That’s OK. It’s a coincidence. I’m looking for my wife, too. I can’t find her and I’m getting a little desperate.”

The first says, “Well, maybe we can help each other. What does your wife look like?”

The second old guy says, “Well, she is 27 years old, tall with red hair, blue eyes, long legs, big busted and is wearing short shorts. What does your wife look like?”

The first old guy says, “Doesn’t matter, let’s look for yours.”

What can I say? Well, there is plenty I can say but I’m going to keep my mouth shut!

Cataplana

I was introduced to this dish by the friend who passed away. It was my first invite to his place for dinner and he came up with a winner! I recall the house was filled with the aroma of something fantastic being prepared in the kitchen and it didn’t disappoint. Food was delicious and finger-licking good!

He made this dish that I had never had before. It was called Cataplana, a Portugese dish from the Algarve region. This seafood stew is made with mussels, fish, potatoes, sausage, saffron, smoked paprika, vegetables, spices and white wine. It is accompanied with bread and I think we had garlic bread with it.

The stew is similar to bouillabaisse or cioppino but healthier because the recipe uses less fat and has fewer calories.

He is gone now, the friend, but I do make it on special occasions. Not that often because it takes work to prepare the meal and I don’t like spending too much time in the kitchen anymore. However, when I do, I find that I have perfected the recipe and although I don’t cook it in a traditional cataplana, it still turns out delicious. What is a cataplana? It is a cooking vessel made out of copper or aluminium and shaped like two clamshells hinged at one end so that it functions like a pressure cooker.

It was a memorable meal when I first had it and it still brings back memories when I make it or try to replicate it at home.

Daily writing prompt

What food would you say is your specialty?

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MY BOOK

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.

📖 Available now → Buy on Amazon

Why Kids (and Parents) Will Love It

✨ 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.

Get Your Copy

📕 Paperback Edition → Order on Amazon

Final Thoughts

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.

George Floyd

The murder of George Floyd by a police officer brought widespread protests not only back home but globally, which in turn called for police reform and accountability where police brutality and racial injustice was concerned. Its historical significance came when Derek Chauvin, the police officer responsible for the murder was convicted and sent to prison. It also put a spotlight on systemic racism and racial inequality. Before that landmark case, it was rare “that police officers in the US are charged, let alone convicted for use of lethal force.”

George Floyd, an African-American, died after being arrested by police outside a shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020. The video footage that went viral showed Floyd being pinned to the ground by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck. Bodycam footage showed Mr. Floyd saying he couldn’t breathe more than 20 times but to no avail. Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes and Floyd was heard further saying:

“You’re going to kill me, man.”

Chauvin: ” Then stop talking, stop yelling. It takes heck of a lot of oxygen to talk.”

Mr. Floyd: “Can’t believe this, man. Mom, love. Love you. Tell my kids I love them. I’m dead.”

Six minutes after that, Floyd is non-responsive and pronounced dead an hour later.

Derek Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. The verdict put the spotlight on police and their policing practices where people of color were concerned and it also showed “that police officers are not above the law.”

According to the NY Times, “despite the largest racial justice protests since the civil rights era of the 1960s and a wave of measures to improve training and hold officers more accountable, the number of people killed by the police continues to rise each year, and Black Americans still die in disproportionate numbers.”

Racism, systemic racism, police brutality and the murder of black men still continues. Hate finds a way to survive and in today’s climate of fascism on the rise, we’ll see more of the same all done in the name of progress or “hate” masquerading as justice.

Derek Chauvin is still in prison serving his concurrent federal and state sentences for the murder of George Floyd. He is projected to be released in 2037 for his federal conviction and 2035 for his state conviction.

George Floyd, however, will never see the light of day again. He is now a card-carrying member of the “killed by the police” club. The others were Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, who was 12 when he was shot by a police officer, Walter Scott, Alton Sterling and the list goes on…..

I’ve written about every one of these men and many more.

Major historical events? I would say those killings were major events, wouldn’t you?

Daily writing prompt

What major historical events do you remember?

View all responses

Fall’s Melody

It is that time of year again. Rain has moved in and the days are shorter and darker and the sun is taking a well-deserved rest.

AUTUMN

“Time to dim the sunlight, cue the moody fog, and watch nature’s most haunting story unfold.” Angie Weiland-Crosby

I woke up this morning to the world outside cloaked in darkness. It is the norm for this time of year and there is a certain sadness that fall brings. It is the wave goodbye to another year that is almost done and it is a softness that comes in at times like a thief in the night and at other times, it puffs and it blows till all the leaves are down on the ground as it is in my garden this morning or at least half of them are. The old Magnolia is bowing down to fall and letting it have its way. There is a carpet of gold and brown leaves covering the grass and it is going to take work to get it all swept up and taken away. Fall brings work and yet it is a season filled with beauty and glorious color.

On my last walk in nature a few days ago, I noticed that the color was coming in. There were the usual golden tints but the reds were making a showing and right over the hill, I could see the top of one lone tree, its yellow head caught in the weak sunlight, enough to catch the eyes of anyone walking by and gifting them with a splendid display of fall’s beauty. Fall sways and it dances and it lets the wind have its way and before you know it, another season has walked in and it has taken its rightful place. It seems so effortless but you and I know that there is work, unseen work that brings forth the magic.

I’m looking forward to my walks again when the rain moves out and in its place is a golden fall that will take my breath away draped in gorgeous golds, bright reds and dazzling yellows. All good things take time and so it is with fall as it finally sashays in dressed in colors meant to make you sit up and take notice AND to remind me that I am but a mere mortal compared to its power and glorious masterwork.

Point well-taken.

Have an amazing day.

LOL!

Two Italian men get on a bus….

They sit down and engage in an animated conversation.

The lady sitting behind them ignores them at first, but her attention is galvanized when she hears one of the men say the following:

“Emma come first.

Den I come.

I come once-a-more.

Two asses, they come together again.

I come again and pee twice.

Then I come one lasta time.”

“You foul-mouthed swine,” retorted the lady indignantly.

“In this country we don’t talk about our sex lives in public!”

“Hey coola down lady,” said the man.

“Who talkin’ about sexa?”

“I’m ajusta tellin’ my frienda how to spell Mississippi!”

Yup, that’s a hard word to spell!