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Trusting Your Instincts

Where do I start?!! I want to say that I trust my instincts because I have a good head on my shoulders but, alas, it’s the other part that I worry about. The part that sees and doesn’t want to see and does its own thing. So far, it has been running rampant and doing whatever it wants. I call it “my heart.”

I am a softie when it comes to matters of the heart. Deep down inside I know that the path I’m taking is not a good one and it will lead to trouble but still I keep on, sometimes out of curiosity and sometimes out of sheer stupidity!

This journey of self-discovery I am on has helped to keep me on the straight and narrow but the heart wants what it wants. It wants excitement, the feeling of danger, the throbbing that comes from the adrenaline rush and so it goes. I’m not an adrenaline junkie, never have been, but I go for the “bad boys!” The ones I know from the get go that they are better left alone. However, I want to play the “helper” or rather the person who wants to save them from their misery.

Self-discovery has helped me to see things with a clearer perspective. Still, I am not all the way there. It is going to take time. Do I trust my instincts? Absolutely!

These days, I’m giving the “good guys” more than a chance. They are boring but it’s time to take my boots off (the adventurous ones) and to give those house slippers a chance to reign supreme. Who knows I may just find what I’m looking for. A nice guy with a heart of gold and one who doesn’t need saving!

Daily writing prompt

Do you trust your instincts?

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December

I have a love-hate relationship with December The year is drawing to a close and I have a chance at making things better as year end approaches and a new one begins. Add Christmas to that and what’s not to like?

Plenty. I love Christmas, the sights, the sounds, the scents, and just the feeling of peace that is everywhere. The house comes alive with lights and there is this dreamy quality about it. The fireplace crackles, add a blanket or two on the couch and you’re ready to snuggle and watch the flames burn. There is just something about this time of year. I love it and yet, there is a certain sadness because the heart longs for Christmases past when loved ones were near and it was a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the season. Christmas is no longer like it used to be. The circle has grown smaller and it is usually just Chachi and yours truly. Last year, I had a friend who came over but it wasn’t the same. This year, I might spend it with my “Little Buttercup” who is always ready to spend time with his mommy.

I have a love-hate relationship with this month. I love the cold, even better if there is snow outside, walks in nature are filled with wonder, and festive lights twinkling everywhere warms the heart and fills the soul with a certain something. I can’t put my finger on it. I call it “magic.”

However, there are definite downsides to this month as well and when you’re alone, it is magnified during this time of the year. I’m learning to cope with it and taking it in stride as I do with most things. Still, I do love December and all that it brings.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

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An Italian Ice Place

I learned about this place from a friend and at first I thought it was an okay place but nothing special. It was run by Italians and most of the staff there are young Italians from Italy. Some don’t speak English, no German whatsoever, and they loved speaking in Italian. The problem? Customers had a tough time placing their orders!

However, the place grew on me. It was nice and cozy, the ambience was comforting and the people friendly. I love the decor and the music playlist had some of my favorite songs on there. It slowly became a favorite place to hang out in whenever I met friends for coffee and sometimes breakfast. If we arrived early, the place was empty and you can hear yourself talk. However, come lunchtime, it gets crowded and very noisy. That’s when it is time to go.

In summer, they serve Italian ice but throughout the year, they have Tiramisu, cakes, cookies, breakfast dishes like Avocado Toast, American style scrambled eggs, toast, and to top it all great coffee.

I am a regular there so they know me well. Just recently, a server from Argentina who speaks English told me that he was leaving to go back home. He is actually an English teacher back home and he was going back for a year to help his family and to teach but he would be back next year. There are others there that I have come to know well.

I have a favorite spot by the window so that I can people watch and sip my coffee in silence when I am there by myself but when I meet a friend, we can talk and laugh like we are the only ones in the place! It’s a nice place and since I don’t like crowded places, it works just fine for those rare moments when I get myself out and about. Oh, the bakery is right across from the Italian place and that is an added bonus. It’s where I get my beloved cheesecake! Not a good thing in one sense but for those days when my willpower isn’t where it should be, I break down and get a slice or two of cheesecake before heading back home. Not a whole cake anymore. We are making progress!

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

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Honey, the Greyhound

I saw this review online and it was a good one. It also said that the book was a “potential classic in the making.” That is a huge compliment. I’ve read all the classics from Charlotte’s Web, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz and the list goes on and on. Those are timeless classics, beautiful stories that have the power to capture your imagination and to stay with you long after the story is finished.

This is what the review said:

“The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a children’s book that receives positive ratings for its heartwarming and imaginative story about friendship, courage, and kindness. Reviewers describe it as enchanting, with themes that emerge naturally and encourage emotional intelligence and creative thinking. The book is considered a potential classic, perfect for storytime that blends fun and fantasy with meaningful lessons for children aged 10-12.

Here’s the background on Honey, the miniature greyhound. I met Honey when I was an undergrad and my boyfriend at the time brought her over. She was a rescue who had been badly abused and shivered all the time. One evening, we were sitting on the couch watching TV with Honey and Twitty (my cat at the time) sitting between us. Not thinking, I reached over to stroke Twitty on the head and that’s when Honey went for my nose and nipped it, not too gently either! That nip broke the skin and caused some bleeding. It was a mad dash to the ER where they checked me out and I got a Tetanus shot. No major damage was done but hence my fear of dogs. A short time after that, I had this idea in my head and I started putting it together with Honey as one of the main characters in my book. Why? I don’t really know. I guess I felt sorry for her.

What about Hubie? I had a fascination where frogs were concerned. My childhood days were spent looking for them in the streams and little creeks around my place. Once I came across a pond hidden deep in the woods and there were several rainbow-colored frogs in the water and some were sunning themselves on the rocks. I know now that they could have been poisonous, back then I only saw the beauty of the colors on their back. Lo and behold, Hubie was in the making!

It’s interesting how some things take hold and out of an imaginative mind comes a story that has the ability to capture the imagination of young minds and to keep them captivated. It seems that this book is doing just that. Unbelievable though it is, as an author it puts a smile on my face.

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

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?

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Book Review

A Teacher’s Perspective

As a teacher who reads to his class, I’m always looking for stories that capture attention, hold imagination, and open the door to meaningful discussion. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie did all three. The dedication alone – “May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of” – sets the stage for what this book does best: keeping that spark of imagination alive.

My students were immediately drawn to Honey, the miniature greyhound, and her unlikely friend Hubie, the bold green frog. Together they explore a world that’s whimsical but surprisingly relatable. The fairies, Moppets, and talking woodland creatures kept the class giggling, but what stayed with them was Honey’s courage – especially when she faced her fears to cross the pond or help another creature in need.

From an educator’s perspective, the pacing and structure work beautifully for group reading. There are natural pause points, making it easy to discuss what’s happening and predict what might come next. The descriptive writing creates clear visual imagery – something that helps young readers connect words to imagination. I even had a few students draw their favorite scenes, and every one of them was different. That’s the mark of a story that lets kids think for themselves.

What I appreciate most is that this book doesn’t preach. The themes of bravery, empathy, and friendship emerge naturally through Honey’s journey. The story invites reflection without spelling out a lesson, which makes it a wonderful tool for teaching emotional intelligence and creative thinking.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie feels like a classic in the making – a story that could easily become part of a yearly classroom rotation. It’s warm, heartfelt, and sincere, reminding children that courage isn’t loud or perfect; sometimes it’s just taking that next small step into the unknown.

I honestly didn’t put that much thought into the story when I wrote it but looking at this, it blew my mind!

Thank you.

Three Wishes

I’ve been waiting for some frog to come by and give me exactly this! Three wishes that could come true at a hop, skip and a jump or with a kiss. Either way, this kind of thing only happens in fairytales but since DP decided to give us a go with a genie, I’ll take the opportunity. Thank you DP but I’m lost for words and can’t think of anything!

Well, as always, let me give it a try. I think at the top of my list would be health. We take it for granted until it turns around and decides to bite us in the you know where and then we sit up and pay attention. Earlier this year, I had a monumental scare. After many tests and a monster of a machine later, I can say I am fine for the time being. So my first wish would be, “Give me good health.”

Second on the list, “love” to complete the picture. My life, on the whole, is almost perfect. I have lots of free time to do whatever I feel like doing and worries are of my own making. One thing that is missing is the special guy, not the dime a dozen variety but that one out of the ordinary person who almost fits me perfectly. I say “almost” because I know he’ll come with flaws and so will I but if there is a 70% fit, I’ll take him. The rest we can work out later. So far, the dime a dozen variety is plenty but that one elusive person is still out there somewhere. My second wish, “Please show him the way before I give up hope altogether!”

The third wish? This is a hard one. I’ll go with, “Let’s give fascism a boot out the door and never to return again!” The mother of all ills? I think so. Let’s make this world a kinder and gentler place for everyone and not just a select few.

Did I just blow my wishes away? Oh well, DP you tried, but I have a mind of my own and add being stubborn as a mule to it and you’ve got, “Wishes don’t stand a chance,” genie or not!

Daily writing prompt

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

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A Nice Book Review

The pic is my own.

By: Ultimate World’s Review

Book Review: The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a delightful and heartwarming children’s story that celebrates the magic of friendship, curiosity, and imagination. T. J. Mueller crafts a whimsical tale that whisks young readers into a vibrant world full of colorful characters, exciting discoveries, and meaningful life lessons.

At its heart, the story follows Honey and Hubie, two lovable companions whose journey into the unknown becomes more than just an adventure—it’s a lesson in trust, teamwork, and the true meaning of friendship. As they face challenges and encounter new wonders, they learn that real friendship isn’t just about fun—it’s about loyalty, kindness, and understanding, even when things get tough.

Mueller’s writing strikes the perfect balance between imaginative storytelling and heartfelt wisdom. The tone is playful and engaging, keeping children captivated while subtly teaching them values that matter. The magical settings and charming characters create a sense of wonder, while the story’s deeper message helps children understand what it takes to nurture and protect the friendships that brighten their lives.

This book is ideal for young readers and parents alike, offering a story that entertains while inspiring thoughtful conversations about empathy, cooperation, and emotional growth.

Available on Amazon

Please rate and review and be kind!

Cute & Cuddly!

By now, you know who I’m talking about. If you don’t, he’s my best buddy and my little love. A furball of love and insurmountable cuteness! He is called Chachi, sometimes Einstein, and at other times Little Macho. A little British short-haired cat who thinks he knows everything and one who has lived some interesting lives.

He was a gift from the friend who passed away and believe it or not, they have the same colored eyes. Green and clear. His coat is speckled and he has the cutest little face. We have conversations together and he listens quietly and sometimes he lets out a meow as if to say, “Enough already!” He loves waking me up early in the mornings and I mean early! Scared to go downstairs by himself, he waits around until I go down the stairs and he follows. Lately, I think he is more of a scaredy cat than a macho.

He claims to have been in Cleopatra’s court and knows beauty rituals like you wouldn’t believe! He thinks I’m doing it all wrong like Cleopatra did. All the masks, the milk baths and so on are no help at all, he says. “Just be yourself!” is his mantra. He has something there but when has that ever stopped me?! I love beauty rituals and weekends are for relaxing and taking care of myself. He says that’s the path that led Cleopatra to being unlucky in love! Hmm….well, I’m no Cleopatra and when I ask him what he did there. His reply, he was a eunuch, not that his luck has changed much in this life either, he adds!

Chachi, the cat, is very much a part of the family and he knows it. He is loved, adored, and spoiled rotten, all part and parcel of loving someone or at least in my world it is. I can’t wait to find out what other lives he has led. It will be more than an eye-opener for sure.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a family member.

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