new year – Site Title

Day 4 of 365!

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We’re into Day 4 and I can’t help but ask, didn’t we just get started? Anyway, the wind is howling like a banshee outside and snow is in the forecast again. No walk today so I’m getting my writing in. Lots of coffee is also on the agenda.

I’m planning what this year is going to look like for me. No, I don’t know for sure but I have control over a few ideas. Trying to get a second children’s book out is on the table but I’m not sure yet. I have been collaborating with a publisher, a different one from the last one I used. I’m not happy with them and someone else is willing to work with me. The problem is, I don’t know if I want to go through the stress again. It involves a lot of things and I wanted this year to be quieter. Like nothing much to do at all!

If I give the go ahead, it will mean many things. Working with illustrators, proofreading, book layout, audio version which involves picking out the right voice and so on. Hmm….sounds interesting but I haven’t made up my mind yet.

Working on me is an ongoing project. I made headway last year and saw major improvements to the point that I was called “complicated,” and “arrogant!” Oh well, so be it. I know what I want and I won’t settle for anything less so call me whatever. I learned that I’m a pushover, too nice, too accommodating, willing to bend over backwards to please people and so on. This year, I’m changing some of those negative traits. I want to be stronger, I will stand my ground and will walk away if something is not contributing to my well-being. It will take courage and focus to do that but I come armed and ready to do battle! Well, maybe not battle, just to be steadfast in what I want.

Health is on the agenda as well. This year I’m upping the workouts, looking for more ways to stay healthy, and working on showing the “stress monster” the door is also on the list of things to do. I’m not going to let little things rattle me and I’m going to breathe and let go as much as possible of things that don’t matter. Let’s see if this will work out. I have good intentions and that matters.

Yes, the new year is trying to take off in leaps and bounds, as it usually does.

“Make hay while the sun shines.”

I plan to do exactly that.

Have an amazing day.

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!

The Last Walk (Archives)

It’s the last walk for this year. The weather has kept me away for the last week or so. There has been lots of fog and add the constant fine rain or drizzle as some may call it and you’ve got weather that is neither fit for man nor beast to venture out in.

Today, there is no sun and the same thick fog is playing havoc with visibility but now we have to contend with frost as well. Looking out of the kitchen window this morning I noticed that the rooftops are dressed in white making it look spooky in the dawning light.

I’m dressed for the weather. I’ve got my Down jacket on, gloves on my hands, a scarf around my neck but decided against a hat since I just washed my hair last night and winter caps do not do justice when it comes to long hair! Vain? You can say that.

The fields are shrouded in pea soup thick fog and it is cold, much colder than it has been. However, the trees are frosted and that right there is my belated Christmas present from Mother Nature! They look like they’re straight out of a picture postcard and gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe it!

It was quiet as I walked, my hands shoved into my jacket as I took in the view before me. Nothing was moving except for a few crows picking at the frozen ground for whatever they could find and as I passed them they let out a loud caw in unison. They are loud creatures and not to my liking but they are a part of the fields and there are plenty of them here.

The herons seem to have taken refuge from the cold and that’s sad because my heart soars whenever I see them. I have a soft spot for them or perhaps for the luck they might bring. Out of nowhere, I spot three deer in the field. Suddenly, one of them runs towards me and my breath catches in my throat because that has never happened before. Just as suddenly, it stops and watches me as I make a loud clicking noise with my tongue more out of fear than anything else. It was enough to scare it away and they turned and ran off in the opposite direction.

The rest of the walk was calm and peaceful as usual. I can hardly believe that the year is almost over. We’ve almost gone through 365 days in a blink of an eye or so it seems. They say time flies when you’re having fun but that hasn’t been the case as far as I am concerned so why is time flying like it has wings? Could it have to do with getting older? Hmm….maybe but whatever it is, the new year is waiting in the wings and good or bad, it will be here soon.

Take care fields and I’ll see you in the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! (2026)

It’s page 1 of 365! A blank one to put whatever you want to 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!

Start the New Year Right!

Here’s how to start the New Year on the right foot. These traditions from around the globe according to Afar.com shows you how the rest of the world welcomes the new year in.

Eating lucky foods is one way to do it. Most of Latin America eats 12 grapes or raisins on New Year’s Eve. Italy, on the other hand, eats 12 spoonfuls of lentils – one with each of the 12 chimes of the clock at midnight. The French eat a stack of pancakes. The Germans prefer marzipan shaped like a pig for good luck and in the Netherlands people eat doughnuts and ring shaped food. In the U.S., it’s collard greens and black-eyed peas.

In the Phillipines, the Filipino community believes that wearing round shapes like polka dots promotes prosperity and good luck. Eating round fruits like oranges, grapes, watermelon and pomelos counts as well.

In Brazil, wearing white on New Year’s Eve symbolizes peace and spiritual cleansing. At midnight, everyone runs into the water to jump over seven waves, each wave represents resolutions or hopes for the New Year.

If you want a year filled with travel and new experiences, do what the Mexicans do. They walk around with an empty suitcase or they take a full lap around the block with their empty luggage. Worth a try?

In Cuba, people gather all of the bad spirits and negative energy from the past 365 days and toss them out the front door. You’ll see buckets full of dirty water flying out of homes during the countdown to midnight. Just don’t get any splashed on you, if you know what I mean. Actually, I’m thinking of trying this one myself!

Podariko is a Greek custom where they hang pomegranates in their households and this is thought to bring good luck. Just before midnight, they shut off the lights and leave the house and then one lucky individual is sent to reenter the house but with the right foot first. A second person will smash the pomegranate against the door with their right hand. The more juicy seeds that spill out, the more luck the new year will bring.

In Russia, they use 12 seconds of silence before the stroke of midnight to make wishes.

In Denmark, the Danes will jump off a chair or sofa literally jumping into the new year! Good luck if you do and bad luck if you don’t.

The Italians and the Spanish take it to another level. They all wear red underwear for luck. Now, you know what’s under the clothes they’re wearing!

In Japan they feast on prawns believed to bring a long life and herring roe to boost fertility. Hmm….

The Irish bang the outside walls of their houses with bread to keep away bad luck and evil spirits. Why bread? Ask them.

There you have it, some of the traditions used to welcome the new year in. I’ll add one more. I was married to a German and my ex mother-in-law used to cook a big pot of pork ribs with sauerkraut and black-eyed peas for days on end before New Year and she swears that eating it on New Year’s day brings good luck. I used to eat it simply because that was the main dish for New Year! Did it bring luck? Your guess is as good as mine!

HAPPY NEW YEAR folks with whatever traditions you use to bring the New Year in. Let’s hope this next year will be a good one and that’s what matters.

Have an amazing day.

2024 in Recap

Should old acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot

In the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet

For the sake of auld lang syne

I never quite understood what the lyrics are trying to say but each year when the year rolls to an end, we raise our glasses to this time-worn and popular song as if our lives and the new year depended on it AND bid Adieu to the year that will soon become a memory as the new year takes its place.

It is tradition some may say but there are also other traditions. How about those well-meant resolutions that we painstakingly jot down meaning every word of it only to let it gather dust in some dusty corner of your desk or room. Or if you’re like me, I have every intention of working on every single one of them but as the year comes to a close, I realize I’ve managed to keep up with only half of them. What about the other half? Well, they’re left forgotten or if I’m honest enough, too difficult to even take it a quarter of the way!

Let’s see. This year has been one of ups and downs. I’ve managed to keep a hold on what is necessary to move forward by working on myself. What does that mean? I’ve been using the three-pronged attack method but before you rush off to Google this, it is something I came up with myself. The three are your mental, physical and emotional health. I’ve taken my physical and mental self to task. Daily walks, meditation, deep breathing, workouts and writing not to mention a few visits to the beauty salon to keep that skin glowing have all helped with mental acuity and to keep my physical form in the best shape ever. What about the cheesecake fetish? Well, I should have added a few more pounds on my small frame but the workouts and the walks have done wonders in that respect. However, cheesecake is on the chopping block for the new year!

The emotional side has been harder. I’ve had to cut ties with some people who did not or were not contributing to my overall well-being. I had to let go of what did not serve me in order to find out what does. It was hard but I need to trust in the process and believe that doing so is to my best interest. I’m worthy, worthy of respect, love and friendships of a better variety.

No, this year did not bring me the “love” I was looking for but it did teach me that not everyone brings love into your life. Some come to teach you that there is a “better” out there. A better someone who will respect , love and accept you for who you are and that’s worth waiting for.

So, this year has been an eye-opener. I know that I’m set in my ways and as stubborn as a mule at times. I know I need to set my standards a little lower and not to take on losing battles. I know that I need to be grateful for all the lessons I’ve learned this year and as I move on to the next, those same lessons will help to catapult me to a “NEW YEAR” filled with possibilities, love and most of all peace I HOPE.

WISHING ALL OF YOU AND TO MY READERS (you are much appreciated) A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH WONDROUS POSSIBILITIES.!

Have an amazing day.