wonder – Site Title

Christmas Time (Archives)

It is that time of year when there seems to be a certain something in the air. It just feels kinder, softer and gentler. People seem friendlier, more in tune with life and rushing around becomes a “must do” and even though the hustle and bustle is not liked in some circles, it is part and parcel of the season.

Driving home yesterday, I noticed the Christmas tree vendor setting up his booth for the mad dash of Christmas tree buying. Not fake ones but ones that make your living room smell wonderful and out of the ordinary as the countdown begins to Christmas. I’ve always loved the scent of fresh pine accompanying my morning coffee as I go back in time to Christmases past.

However, it is not just about the good times, joyful times, the cozy times, but also about the moments I still hold dear in my heart. Memories of Christmases past where a special someone was there and he made Christmas so much better. The sale of Christmas trees brought back some memories that also brought a ache to the heart. He is gone now but those memories remain. The way he would make his way here excitedly on weekends ready to make Christmas a fantastic affair. A fresh tree was a must, he got the tree and I did the decorating. Menu planning was left up to me but there was always something special on the table, he made sure of that. Presents galore were all his doing and he loved giving. The Christmas tree vendor brought back some memories as I am sure more will come rushing in as we get closer to Christmas. He’s an “angel” now, this friend of mine, having earned his wings and I’m sure he’ll be singing with the rest of the angels welcoming the season in. Have a fantastic Christmas, “my angel.”

“But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round…as a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.” Charles Dickens

It is a time to rejoice, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, to breathe a little freer and to hug a little tighter. A time to step back, to sit by the fireplace with a cup of something warm and to take in the beauty of Christmas time. Sure, memories will rush in, they will hurt at times, you will shed a few tears, but when all is said and done, it is the most beautiful time of the year.

Have an amazing day.

A Series of Letters (5)

This is the final letter from the series. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful and joyous Christmas.

To my loyal readers, friends, and WP buddies, (especially the one who gave me a 5-star review) you know who you are.

This year, I want to share with you a series of letters I composed with gratitude for helping make The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie a success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Readers,

I want to take a quiet moment to say thank you. Bringing this story into the world has been a deeply meaningful experience, and knowing that it has found its way into your homes and hearts means more than I can express.

Every time a child laughs at an adventure, feels brave alongside a character, or asks to hear the story again, it brings the book to life in a new way. Your support, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to share this story with others help its little world grow brighter and wider each day.

Thank you for reading, for imagining, and for joining me on this journey. It is an honor to share these pages with you.

With gratitude,

T. J. Mueller

A Series of Letters (4)

To my loyal readers, friends, and WP buddies, you know who you are.

This year, I want to share with you a series of letters I composed with gratitude for helping make The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie a success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Readers,

Christmastime has always held a special place in my heart –a season filled with warmth, stories, and quiet moments shared with the ones we love. This book was written with that spirit in mind. I wanted to create a story that families could enjoy together, snuggled under blankets, wrapped in the glow of holiday lights.

If you are looking for a gift that brings imagination, laughter, and gentle lessons about friendship, I hope you will consider this little adventure. It is a story meant to be shared–read aloud, wondered over, and remembered. May it bring joy to your home this Christmas and become part of your family’s holiday traditions.

Warmly,

T. J. Mueller

A Series of Letters (3)

To my loyal readers, friends, and WP buddies, you know who you are.

This year, I want to share with you a series of letters I composed with gratitude for helping make The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie a success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Parents, Teachers, and Friends,

As I wrote this book, I hoped it would be more than just a moment of entertainment, I wanted it to be a story that children could return to –one that gently encourages courage, kindness, and empathy. The characters learn to support one another, face fears, and discover what friendship truly asks of us. These are lessons that grow alongside young readers.

Whether shared in a classroom, a library, or at bedtime, this story offers children a safe and magical place to explore big feelings through small adventures. Thank you for choosing stories that help young readers grow strong and tender at the same time.

With appreciation,

T. J. Mueller

A Series of Letters (2)

To my loyal readers, friends, and WP buddies, you know who you are.

This year, I want to share with you a series of letters I composed with gratitude for helping make The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie a success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Friends,

Every writer has a place where their stories begin. For me, it was a quiet patch of woods behind my childhood home — sunlight through the branches, the soft rustle of leaves, and endless room for imagination. I wrote this story to return to that place, to honor the wonder I felt there, and to share it with young readers who are discovering their own worlds of make-believe.

This book allowed me to revisit the magical creatures and brave little characters that lived in my mind long ago. Writing it felt like opening a door to a forgotten corner of my heart. My hope is that, in reading it, children feel inspired to explore their own imaginations with joy and curiosity.

Thank you for letting me share a piece of my childhood with you.

With warmest wishes,

T. J. Mueller

Christmas Time

Have an amazing day.

A Series of Letters

To my loyal readers, friends, and WP buddies, you know who you are.

This year, I want to share with you a series of letters I composed with gratitude for helping make The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie a success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Friends,

Some of my happiest childhood memories came from wandering through the quiet woods behind my home — places where imagination felt as real as the trees themselves. When I began writing this book, I returned to that world with the same sense of wonder I felt as a child. Every page reflects a piece of that enchanted place, filled with curiosity, friendship, and the simple joy of letting imagination run free.

It warms my heart to share this story with you. My hope is that, whether you are reading it with a child or rediscovering your own sense of wonder, these pages bring a little magic into your day. Thank you for stepping into this adventure with me.

With warmest wishes,

T. J. Mueller

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

An Amazing Day!

If you’ve read my posts, I always end with, “Have an amazing day.” I truly mean that sentiment but a friend recently echoed it by saying, I’ll end this conversation with what you always say, “Have an amazing day.” It felt good to hear it from someone else’s lips and it sent joy gushing through my body. However, it also started my thought processes going. No surprise there, I am an overthinker!

What does it mean to have an amazing day? It’s a day free of worries, a day free of something weighing you down like an albatross around your neck, a day filled with sunshine and smiles but most of all I think it is a day where everything is possible and nothing is impossible.

I usually wake up wanting an amazing day in front of me but it doesn’t always work that way. Life steps in and sometimes things go downhill but that is alright too.

“You’re only human. You don’t have to have it together every minute of every day.” Anne Hathaway

I woke up this morning looking forward to a brand new day. A blank slate was staring me in the face and I could write whatever I wanted to on it. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and Chachi, the cat, was purring softly in my ear. I AM GRATEFUL for all that makes up my life, the good, the bad and the ugly. Life is not always just about the good stuff. It would be boring if it was. It is a kaleidoscope of possibilities, new beginnings, letting go of things that have outlived their purpose and of embracing what is to come and the unknown is a part of that equation.

Today will be an “amazing day” and I wish you the same.

“Just in case…..no one has told you today. YOU are amazing! Have a really great day.” Unknown