Cute & Cuddly!

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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.

Showing Up

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“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.

Book Promo & Review

I loved this one!

Emilia Valentine

October 17, 2025

Every child dreams of a great adventure — a journey filled with wonder, friendship, and a touch of magic. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller captures exactly that spirit.

In this enchanting tale, young readers are invited to follow Honey and Hubie as they set out on a daring adventure into the unknown. Their path is filled with colorful characters, unexpected twists, and valuable lessons about what it really takes to hold onto friendship, even when things get tough.

Mueller masterfully blends whimsy and heart, creating a world of imagination that feels as vivid as a child’s daydream. Beneath the fun and fantasy lies a timeless message: friendship is one of life’s greatest adventures, and it takes courage, kindness, and understanding to keep it strong.

Perfect for readers aged 10–12, this book will capture the hearts of children who love magical stories and parents who appreciate tales with meaning and warmth.

About the Author

T. J. Mueller began writing at just fifteen years old, when her first short story made the cover of a well-known women’s magazine. Since then, she’s written countless short stories and articles, always returning to her first love: storytelling.

Her imagination continues to draw inspiration from the woods of her childhood, where her creativity was free to run wild. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is born from that same spark, a heartfelt journey into a world of make-believe where lessons of loyalty and friendship shine through.

Book Fiasco?

The book has been published and it is out there doing the rounds. According to one source it has been well-received. What does that mean? Then it is being said that there are discussions about it on social media. Hmm…what are they saying? The publisher is taking their time doing the marketing bit. Be patient, the book has only been out there for about two months is the message I’m getting. Strike while the iron is hot is my answer but I can’t do anything about it.

It seems to me that writing the book is not the hard part, getting it accepted is harder and after publication, well, I don’t even want to talk about that. I’ll just say I’m anxious and that is not a good feeling. Getting ratings and reviews is another story altogether! Now, I know why it’s important to give a rating for a product bought from Amazon. I never do, so I’ll change that and make it a point to give a review or rating the next time around. I can’t believe that someone from South Africa gave me a five-star rating! Who? Elon, is that you?

I found this review online and it sounds good.

Reviews for The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie on Amazon highlight the book’s focus on friendship, teamwork, and imagination, with one Amazon customer calling it a “gripping narrative that captures how adversity can bring friends together.” It is described as a “wild ride into a magical world” with colorful characters, which teaches young readers about the importance of friendship through an engaging story. The book’s themes are praised, and there are positive remarks about its illustrations and its ability to capture the imagination of children.

How is the book really doing? No idea whatsoever. Let me just say that if you’re looking to get a book published, be prepared. It is a journey and a rocky one at that! Here is a book trailer to whet your appetite, not a great one I might add but enough to find out what all the hype is about.

Lazy Days

Do lazy days make me feel rested or unproductive, that was the question. Let me see, I had a lazy day yesterday. I did nothing or next to nothing.

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How did it make me feel? I can’t say for sure because I was happy when I started to take it easy and not do anything of importance or one that would require too much brain power. The output would be very little and I thought I would be feeling good by the end of the day. Guess again!

By the end of the day, I was feeling more frazzled and very anxious. It seems having nothing much to do makes me feel that way. Truth be told, it wasn’t just a day with nothing to do. I did my daily walk in nature and that was fantastic as usual. I walked home looking forward to another cup of coffee and than DOING NOTHING! “Not that quick” said life. The phone kept ringing, then I had mail that needed to be taken care of and a date if I wanted it. Got your attention? Yes, a date. It was the cheesecake guy. I hadn’t heard from him in ages and thought it was water under the bridge. To tell you the truth, I was glad that we didn’t have to do the relationship dance anymore. Chachi, the cat, was glad too. He never liked him. Anyway, he was on the other end saying he wanted to meet, just for coffee and a chat. I thought why not. I agreed to a date and time. Getting off the phone, I felt agitated. Dates make me feel that way!

I decided my mind needed something to keep it occupied. This “doing nothing” was getting on my nerves! I looked at my other projects, a sequel to “The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie.” It is finished and has been accepted but I thought it needed brushing up so I pulled out the manuscript and went to work. Chachi plays the lead role in that one and he does a mighty fine job. I got bored after a while and looked at my other project, a novel that spans three generations. Whoa! Yes, right. It is a huge project, 362 pages done and I am lost. Not sure how to proceed. Bah hambug!

What am I doing? It was supposed to be a lazy day. So I put my feet up, cuddled with my little guy and was feeling rested until my ex showed up. We talked for a while but I could feel something coming to the surface. It wasn’t good. I cut the conversation short and sent him on his way. It was downhill from there. My lazy day was nowhere to be seen and I had to keep moving to keep my mind from going to places I didn’t want it to go!

So do lazy days make me feel rested or unproductive. I can’t answer that question because I don’t think I have had one so far!

Daily writing prompt
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Best Book Trailer

I love this book trailer. It is beautifully done and describes the book perfectly. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too.

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 lessonsThe 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.

Characteristics of a Good Neighbor

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Someone who is quiet, helpful, stays in their lane and is not a gossip monger. Those are some characteristics that I find necessary to being a good neighbor.

People around here usually keep to themselves but gossiping is a necessary evil in this village. What starts out as a small piece of gossip gets shredded and passed around until it comes out on the other end as something big and hard to believe or digest! I think it stamps from people not having much to do. Most are old and the only thing they have got going is keeping up with their husbands, household chores and gardening. Lest I forget, their window seat is their best friend! Nothing gets past the womenfolk here.

That said, there are those who are very helpful and caring. My neighbor across the street calls when she notices that I had left my garage door open. I have a tendency to forget and when the phone rings and I hear her voice, I know it is the friendly neighborhood watch person reminding me to shut the garage door! Then there is the one who brings me a jar of homemade jam made from the harvest of fruits in her garden. I find that to be very sweet. The gesture is often returned. Today, I gave away the ripe figs from my garden and she asked, “Would you like some apples?” I pointed to my apple tree and said, “I’m trying to do the same!”

I am lucky to have some good neighbors. Most are quiet and noise is not something I have to worry about. Most days, it is extremely quiet and I love it that way. I think I am a good neighbor. I’m helpful, friendly, and I make it a point to bring a bouquet or two of flowers to some of the women around here. It is well received and I’m rewarded with a great big smile!

It works both ways. It’s a give and take sort of thing. If you want a good neighbor, you have to start being a good one yourself. All I can say is that I have good neighbors and I am thankful for the peace and serenity that surrounds this place that I call home.

Daily writing prompt
What makes a good neighbor?

First Time Grown Up Feeling

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I think it was when I had my first job during the school holidays. Not sure how old I was, perhaps fifteen. The job was nothing to brag about. I worked in a store as a sales person. It was my first step into feeling like I was doing something productive. The job itself was boring and one thing I knew, I wanted to do better than that.

Anyway, when I got my first paycheck I was over the moon. It was money I had earned on my own and there was pride in that. Okay, it was a paltry sum but back then it felt like a whole lot of money! On my way home, I stopped at a Chinese restaurant and picked up some food to go. I think it was a noodle dish and a stir fry of some sort. Happy as a lark, I made my way home with the food containers tightly in grip and a big smile on my face.

I walked in the door like a grown up. Walking over to the table I placed the containers on the table and declared, “I brought food home.” I think I was glowing from head to toe! Watching my brothers and sisters dig in was something else and when my parents did the same, I felt like a grown up for the very first time.

It was my first grown up experience. However, these days kids are different. My son had everything handed to him and he led a privileged life. Work was nowhere in the picture and when he had to step out in the real world, I thought this is going to be a difficult transition. Well, it was. Amidst the complaints of working for a living and falling flat on his face, he is learning to be a grown up in his own way. Thank God for that!

Daily writing prompt
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

Book Review!

It sure feels like Christmas after this review! Ratings and reviews are hard to come by but this one from Bed Night Stories Book Blog made it feel like Christmas! Keep it coming and thank you!

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a delightful children’s story that combines imaginative adventures with an important lesson about friendship. Honey and Hubie navigate a magical world full of colorful characters, teaching young readers the value of loyalty, kindness, and teamwork along the way. With engaging storytelling and a vibrant, make-believe setting, this book is sure to captivate children’s imaginations while delivering a heartfelt message.

Principled

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I don’t know if being principled is a good trait since it has caused unnecessary pain in times past because I refused to stray from what I thought was right and being rigid and principled sometimes means that you get the short end of the stick as well.

We live in a world where “principles” are not as important as they use to be. Bending the rules to suit your needs has become part and parcel of behavior in today’s society. However, I have held on steadfastly to my principles.

The good thing about being principled is that you are committed to integrity, honesty and you are responsible in your actions . There is a certain moral compass that enables you to come across as a trustworthy and reliable person. The bad thing? It can be a hindrance because people may view you as a person who has a stick so far up the you know what that there is no getting you to see their side of things. Been there, done that, and I continue to do that!

However, it is their opinion. I like being principled and there are certain things I will stand for and others absolutely not.

Spinster for life? Who knows only time will tell. I might be like that captain who went down with his ship bearing full responsibility for the vessel, only I will be holding onto my principles till the very end!

Daily writing prompt
What’s the trait you value most about yourself?