Sunday, September 6, 2026

From Living in Light to The Story of Life - A Review of Life

From Living in Light to The Story of Life

A Story and a Song

The Story of Life began with a poem I wrote in January 2020, originally titled Living in Light. I wrote it during a deeply personal time in my life, and I published it on my YouTube channel that same month as an inspirational video poem.

At the time, I had no idea that I would eventually return to those words and turn them into a song. But the message remained meaningful to me, and years later, I felt that the poem had more to say.


The Quiet Moment That Inspired It

The poem was inspired by a quiet moment I shared with my mother during her cancer battle. We were sitting together in a room, each of us simply occupying the same space. There was no special occasion and no grand gesture. We did not need to be doing anything in particular. We were simply together.

As I sat there with her, I became very aware of how meaningful those ordinary moments can be. Sometimes, being present with someone you love is enough. There does not always have to be a conversation or an activity. Sometimes, sharing a quiet moment can become one of the memories that stays with you the longest.

Watching my mother carry such a difficult burden also changed the way I thought about hardship. I saw a quiet strength in her that stayed with me. It made me think about the parts of ourselves that we sometimes believe have been damaged by difficult experiences. Perhaps those parts are not truly broken. Perhaps they are places where new strength can develop.

What I Began to Understand About Aging

That experience also caused me to reflect on aging and the way we change throughout our lives.

As the years pass, our physical appearance changes. We see those changes when we look in the mirror, and sometimes it can be difficult to recognize the person we once were. But I have come to believe that aging has another side that cannot be seen in a reflection.

Inside, something can become lighter.

Our experiences can give us perspective. The things we have survived can teach us. And although our bodies may grow older, our hearts can become more youthful in the way they understand love, wonder, forgiveness, and what truly matters.

A Journey Toward Home

When I think about life, I often picture it as a gentle journey through the sky. We move forward through the years, gradually drifting closer to home.

Along that journey, new lives are beginning. I imagine us passing close to newborns as they enter the world, almost as though the journey connects those leaving one chapter with those just beginning theirs.

There is something beautiful about imagining that the light we have gathered during our lives does not simply disappear. We pass something of ourselves forward. The love we have given, the lessons we have learned, and the light we have carried can continue through others.

Our light does not have to become smaller as our journey progresses. It can become part of something much greater.

Learning to Trust Our Wings

The poem also became a reflection on letting go.

Life teaches us that we cannot hold on to everything forever. Sometimes we have to loosen our grip, trust ourselves, and trust where the journey is taking us.

Pain and tears can change us. They can become part of how we understand ourselves and the world around us. The difficult experiences we would never have chosen can still leave us with something meaningful.

For me, living in the light represents a new beginning. It reminds us that life continues to move forward, and that love has a way of continuing with it.

Turning the Poem Into a Song

Years after writing Living in Light, I decided to transform the poem into a song.

I wanted to preserve the heart of what I had written in 2020, so I worked from the original words and reshaped them into a musical structure. I developed the verses, pre-choruses, choruses, a new verse, a bridge, and an outro, allowing the original poem to take on a completely new form.

The result became The Story of Life.

The song carries the same message that inspired the poem, but it also reflects the years that have passed since I first wrote those words. What began as a quiet moment beside my mother eventually became a much larger reflection on life, aging, love, resilience, loss, and the journey we all take.

Remembering the Original Living in Light

Some may remember this work in its original form, Living in Light. I wrote that inspirational poem in January 2020 and published it on my YouTube channel that same month as a video poem.

The Story of Life is the evolution of those original words. I returned to something I had written during one of the most meaningful quiet moments of my life and gave it a new form through music.

At its heart, the message remains the same. Love continues. Light continues. And when we have truly loved, we have truly lived.

*********

"Drageda Lyrics" on all Platforms, including Streaming Platforms**

YouTube:  Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Subscribe: Join the Journey: Get New Songs and Stories in Your Inbox

*********

🎵 I write and produce story-driven lyrics. Vocals and music are digitally produced (I am not the singer). I digitally direct and arrange the video and recording.🎵 ©2026 DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - All Rights Reserved - Original Lyrics Authored | Sound Recording: Produced With Digital Assistance (Vocals and Instrumental) 2026. Licensed digital composition (Commercial Rights Held). The visual artwork may include AI-assisted digital elements. SOCAN Member.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, September 5, 2026

Revenge Prey - A Lucas Davenport Novel

 Review of book #36 in John Sandford’s Prey series.


Cover of the book Revenge Prey by John Sandford

Synopsis of Revenge Prey


A former and high-ranking Russian Intelligence Officer defects to the United States after giving the CIA critical information about Russian spies who have infiltrated U.S. government services. For a year, he and his wife Martha and their son Bernard have been sequestered at a CIA facility near Washington. 


Now, with new names, the Summers are being turned over to the U.S. Marshal’s Witness Protection Program. The plan is to hide them in a wooded Minneapolis suburb which resembles their former home near Moscow. 

The CIA, along with the FBI, secretly transports the Summers family to their new location, turning them over to the Minneapolis WPP team of Lucas Davenport and Shelly White. Just as they arrive, shots are fired and enemies dodged as a Russian hit team attempts to eliminate the defector.

As a result, all original plans are abandoned, forcing the Summers family back into hiding while new arrangements are made. 

Meanwhile, an investigation must uncover what can only be a leak within the CIA, FBI, or Witness Protection Program, as no outside entities were aware of the family's relocation.


Summary


As Marshal Davenport and his team attempt to track down a ruthless Russian hit team, the CIA agent works on discovering the leak. 

Another outstanding thriller in John Sandford’s Prey Series. 


*Book Review of Revenge Prey by John Sandford was written by Wednesday Elf.


For more book reviews of John Sandford books, click here.

For more books reviewed on this site, for your reading pleasure, check out ReviewThisBooks.com 


The Prey Series includes the first book (#1), this current book (#36) and the next book (#37, release date due March 30, 2027)



Rules of Prey: A Lucas Davenport NovelRules of Prey: A Lucas Davenport NovelCheck PriceRevenge Prey (A Prey Novel Book 36)Revenge Prey (A Prey Novel Book 36)Check PriceRuthless Prey (A Prey Novel Book 37)Ruthless Prey (A Prey Novel Book 37)Check Price




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Friday, September 4, 2026

Womens Slim Credit Card Holder Wallet with RFID Blocking Review

slim wallet for women
I recently noticed that my mother still carries her purse & a large wallet everywhere she goes.  I do love wallets that allow you to carry photos, a checkbook, cash, id's, credit cards and more.  However, they are not always safe or practical to carry.  I decided I should get my mother a slim wallet like mine

When I went to Amazon to make the purchase, I noticed a slim wallet with a zippered pocket.  My slim wallet doesn't have a zippered pocket, but I thought my mother would love that feature, so I bought it instead.

She was very excited to get the slim wallet and I laughed when she just went on and on about the zippered pocket.  I guess I was right about that!

I selected the blue wallet for Mom, but the slim wallet is available in other colors too.

Even if you still carry a purse, the thin wallet will provide RFID blocking and is small enough to slip into many zippered pockets inside a purse or backpack.

 

Tipmile Slim Wallet with RFID Blocking

 Tipmile Womens Credit Card Holder Wallet, Small Slim RFID Blocking SleeveCheck PriceThe slim wallets are perfect for slipping into your pocket and are barely noticeable.  Since both my mother and I wear our shirts pulled out, our shirttails cover the pockets in our slacks providing additional concealment. 

Another feature that my mother's old wallet does not have is RFID blocking.  The RFID blocking is essential in all wallets these days.  It stops scanners and thieves from reading contactless credit cards or IDs.

  • Ultra Slim Design
  • Lightweight
  • 4.4" x 3.14" x 0.11"
  • 1 ID Window
  • 6 Card Slots
  • 1 Side Compartment
  • 1 Zipper Pocket 


 FoxCheck Price HummingbirdCheck Price Starry NightCheck Price





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Thursday, September 3, 2026

Barbecued Pulled Pork Casserole

 


There really isn't a more useful food item in the world than a casserole.  Think of all the ways that casseroles are used:

  • Office, church or club parties
  • To stretch a meal out to feed more people
  • Meals to make and freeze for serving later
  • Easy one pot meals
  • Potlucks
  • Thoughtful gift for a family or friend going through a rough time
  • Bereavement gatherings
  • Backyard barbecues

Today I've decided to share one of my favorite casseroles with you:

Barbecued Pulled Pork Casserole

The main reason I like this casserole so much, other than the fact that it is so tasty, is that it is fairly uncommon.  Most casseroles are made with hamburger or chicken, so barbecued pulled pork is a treat that most people do not expect.  It is almost always one of the first dishes to be emptied at any gathering,  I also like that when I make it for my family, if I have any leftovers, I can freeze them for a quick lunch or snack for later in the week.

It really is quite easy to make, I usually buy a pork tenderloin to cook and pull for the meat and buy the tater tots frozen.  Throwing it together is a breeze and it's done in just 30 minutes.  


Ingredients

  • 2 cups of pulled pork mixed with barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
  • 8 ounces whipped cream cheese 
  • 1 can of corn (optional but I love it!)
  • large bag of frozen tater tots
  • barbecue seasoning 
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup ranch dressing  


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  2. Mix the barbecue pulled pork with the whipped cream cheese
  3. In a 9x13 glass baking dish cover the bottom with the pork mixture
  4. Dribble the ranch dressing over the pork
  5. Sprinkle the corn and one cup of the shredded cheese on top of the pork and corn
  6. Place a single layer of tater tots, spread apart, on top of the mixture and shake a little BBQ seasoning over them.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes and the tater tots are golden brown.
  8. Remove from oven and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the tater tots
  9. Put the casserole back in the oven for 10 minutes
  10. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

I usually make a sauce of half barbecue sauce and half ranch to serve with this casserole.  It's delicious dribbled on top!





This casserole is always a hit at summer parties.  It stays delicious even after sitting out on a picnic table for a while.  People dip into it expecting the same old hamburger and cheese tater tot casserole and are always delighted to see barbeque pulled pork instead!  It's a delicious change from hamburgers and hot dogs. 

This casserole is actually good any time of year and for any occasion. It's real, old fashion comfort food! It's wonderful in the wintertime, a nice hot meal on a chilly night. Also a tasty dinner in the spring, the barbecue sauce a nice reminder of the summer fun to come.  Make it yourself just once, I bet it will not be the last time you do!




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Wednesday, September 2, 2026

CAPHAUS Zero Gravity Chair Reviewed

 This year, Fran just had to add another piece of furniture to our deck, and I'm so glad she did. She found this zero-gravity lounge chair, and we have enjoyed it all summer long. This chair makes it so easy to take a nap on a beautiful summer day. 

Zero Gravity Chair

This chair is so comfortable when I sit in it and recline; it feels like I'm floating on air. This chair was the perfect addition to our deck this summer. Since we have a finished basement, I'll move this chair there and enjoy it all winter long.

The chair has a comfortable headrest and a convenient side tray with two cup holders and two slots, one for your phone and one for your tablet. The only problem is when our son and daughter-in-law visit with our granddaughters, the chair is always occupied, so I don't get to sit in it.

The material is durable, and the highly elastic bungee ropes conform to your body, offering support and comfort like no other chair. I love this chair.

You can find this chair on Amazon in three different colors. 

CAPHAUS Blue Zero Gravity Chair, Recliner, Lounge Chair, Folding Chair with Side Tray, Metal, Textilene Fabric, 300LB Weight Capacity, Indoor & Outdoor Use, Unisex, BlueCAPHAUS Blue Zero Gravity Chair, Recliner, Lounge Chair, Folding Chair with Side Tray, Metal, Textilene Fabric, 300LB Weight Capacity, Indoor & Outdoor Use, Unisex, BlueCAPHAUS Blue Zero Gravity Chair, Recliner, Lounge Chair, Folding Chair with Side Tray, Metal, Textilene Fabric, 300LB Weight Capacity, Indoor & Outdoor Use, Unisex, Blue



 




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Cute Abstract Purple Fish Birthday Collection

These cute fish are a fun choice for children's birthdays. The Collection includes invitations, paper plates, paper napkins, stickers, table sign, wrapping paper, and thank you cards.

banner


The invitations are also downloadable, offering a quicker way to get the invites out in the mail.

The fish are in various sizes and shapes too! They're purple and have got various styles of striped markings on them that are either white or purple. The basic fish is lavender with white highlights.

The various products in the Collection can be customized and personalized.

The invitations are flat, two sided cards, with the, Help us celebrate... question on the front. The back side of the invitation has a template placeholder for the birthday party details, along with an image of the matching party hat on it.




There is a birthday table sign that can be personalized as well.



The Thank you cards has a template placeholder on the back, that the child can personalize by hand. The thank you text can be easily customized to rephrase it in their own words. Then there is a line at the top of the verse for the child to write in the person's name, to whom they are writing. And there is a line below the text for the child to sign their own name to the thank you.



Below is a link for the whole collection.



For those that are wondering how I came up with creating abstract purple fish for a birthday theme, it was a round about way. I decided to go through my various creations that I had made to use as possible scrapbook paper backgrounds. I made a bunch of designs and tried out different things. I picked the ones I wanted to offer as scrapbook paper, and set the other creations aside for awhile.

I eventually went back to them, with no theme in mind, just a wondering as to what I might be drawn to. I saw a particular purple one that looked like fish shapes in it. I was intrigued. I had made those shapes using some store bought leaves I had on hand. Anyway, I continued to go through my other leftover backgrounds to find something the fish could go on. I narrowed that down to two choices. I cut the fish shapes out and placed them on the two background choices to see which one I would like best.

After I got the fish arranged and glued on, I decided that they needed some air bubbles floating up to the top. I painted in some fishy details and added a shadow line below their bodies, and voila, the cute abstract fish design was born.

Hope you like them and that you have some friends and or relatives that they would be a great choice for.

Cheryl Paton


Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Sunday, August 30, 2026

Mom's Pickles and Beets - Remembering Mom With a Story and a Song

Mom's Pickles and Beets - Remembering Mom With a Story and a Song


As autumn returns and the cooler weather settles in, my mother has been on my mind every day. 

When the seasons change, my parents come front and center in my thoughts, bringing back all the things I miss about growing up. 

Fall always reminds me of my mom preparing homemade pickles and beets, filling the cellar and freezer up with homemade goodies.

To honor my late mother, I decided to write her this song called Mom's Pickles and Beets. Below, you will find the story of me as a fifteen-year-old girl back in September 1975. I hope you enjoy the story below and the related song.

A Page from My Life in 1975:

September 1975 brought that familiar, sharp chill to the air, signaling the start of a brand new season. I was fifteen years old and it was all in front of me. 

For me, autumn was always the absolute best time of the year, filled with the return of school routines, skating lessons, and the comforting sense that September offered a fresh start.

Coming home at the end of the day meant stepping through the front door into a warm haven. The kitchen always smelled richly of spices and a pot of homemade soup simmering steadily on the stove. 

Countertops would be lined with rows of freshly packed mason jars filled with homemade pickles and beets. My usual routine was to head straight for the living room fireplace to warm my hands, just as Mom would call out from the kitchen, asking me to head down to the basement to handle the laundry basket and grab a container of fudge on the way back up.

Mornings didn't always run smoothly, of course. There were frantic days when sleep got the better of me, and I had to scramble, racing into the kitchen to plead, "Mom, can you drive me? I'm going to be late!"

With a familiar roll of her eyes and a quick, resigned nod, she would agree, usually adding with a knowing smile, "You know, I won't always be here to fix every mess."

More than five decades have slipped away since those days. Yet every time the autumn leaves begin to turn, those memories return just as vividly as ever. 

The scent of her cooking, the quiet warmth of those evenings, and the lasting comfort of her presence remain woven into every part of who I am today. I miss my mother.

************ 

What memories do fall and the changing seasons bring back for you?

*********

"Drageda Lyrics" on all Platforms, including Streaming Platforms**

YouTube:  Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Subscribe: Join the Journey: Get New Songs and Stories in Your Inbox

*********

🎵 I write and produce story-driven lyrics. Vocals and music are digitally produced (I am not the singer). I digitally direct and arrange the video and recording.🎵 ©2026 DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - All Rights Reserved - Original Lyrics Authored | Sound Recording: Produced With Digital Assistance (Vocals and Instrumental) 2026. Licensed digital composition (Commercial Rights Held). The visual artwork may include AI-assisted digital elements. SOCAN Member.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, August 29, 2026

The End-of-the-Trail on Route 66


The Ending of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier

The last part of our road trip takes us through New Mexico, Arizona and on to the California Coast where the designated ending to Route 66 is at the Santa Monica Pier.


THE LAST THREE STATES OF ROUTE 66:  

New Mexico, Arizona, California


Route 66 map of New Mexico, Arizona & California


NEW MEXICO - 487 Miles


Of the original 400+ miles of Route 66 across New Mexico, 265 miles are still drivable.  Running parallel to Interstate 40, this drivable, historic stretch connects iconic boomtowns like Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Grants, and Gallup. Travelers can experience vintage neon signs, classic motels, and deep Indigenous and Spanish heritage.


New Mexico on Route 66


Highlights include the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, the Blue Hole, an 80-foot artesian spring, in Santa Rosa, the Nob Hill district, filled with vintage diners and local events in Albuquerque, and the McKinley County Courthouse (The Heart of Indian Country) in Gallup.


ARIZONA - 401 Miles


Arizona Section of Route 66

Check out the Petrified Forest National Park in NE Arizona. Spend a night in a vintage concrete teepee in Holbrook (AZ). Stop at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City and the Powerhouse Museum in Kingman, known as the “Heart of Historic Route 66”. 

Conclude your Arizona Mother Road trip in Oatman, as you enjoy a mountain drive through the Black Mountains.


CALIFORNIA - 314 Miles


From the Arizona border at Needles, the Route 66 Road Trip includes over 300 miles through the Mojave Desert, past historic ghost towns and those iconic roadside diners. Barstow offers a desert oasis featuring the ‘Mother Road Museum’. 


You will pass through San Bernardino, Pasadena & Los Angeles, then follow Colorado Boulevard directly to the Ocean. The official “End of the Trail”, complete with a sign, is at the Santa Monica Pier.


Summary


Route 66 end at the Santa Monica (CA) Pier

This concludes our scenic road trip of the iconic Route 66. We hope you have an opportunity to celebrate this famous highway’s 100 years during its Centennial by enjoying even a small part of the distance from Chicago to Santa Monica. 


♫ ♫ Get Your Kicks on Route 66 ♬ ♪ 







Related Links:


*This review of the third part of Route 66 was written by Wednesday Elf.

+All images in this review are courtesy of Pixabay and Wikipedia

+Travel tips for New Mexico, Arizona and California on Route 66: 


New Mexico Kicks on Route 66New Mexico Kicks on Route 66Check PriceArizona Kicks on Route 66Arizona Kicks on Route 66Check PriceRoute 66 in California (Images of America)Route 66 in California (Images of America)Check PriceRoute 66: 100 YearsRoute 66: 100 YearsCheck Price

 




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The Review This Reviews Contributors



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Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor

Susan DeppnerSusan Deppner

We may be apart, but
You Are Not Forgotten





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