Reviewing a Great Way to Prepare for a Ham Radio License Exam

If you have considered having a ham radio for one of the many reasons that it is good to have a radio, but are worried about the process of becoming licensed, I have a helpful recommendation.  I just passed my Techinician Class exam and probably only passed because of HamRadioPrep; an excellent study resource.

Resources for Preparing to take the Ham Radio Licensing Exams

There are free amateur radio study sites online. And I half-heartedly began with those. But people (who are already licensed) kept recommending HamRadioPrep.com  So I unpinched some pennies and paid for the courses. I'm so glad I did!

Maybe I should start with what ham radio is.  A search on the internet shows an AI description as:

"Ham Radio (amature radio) is a two-way communication device used by trained hobbyists to talk across town, around the world, or into space without using cell towers or the internet."

When I was young, I can vaguely recall an uncle who very much enjoyed using his radio to speak with people across the world. And as an adult, I have had friends who have used ham radio for communication when natural disasters have knocked out communication. I also enjoyed when I had a CB radio in my Jeep. I have had vague thoughts about getting a license but never felt like following through until now.

HamRadioPrep in an online site for Ham Radio License classes. There are 3 levels of licensure: Technician, General, and Amature Extra. HamRadioPrep includes the same resources for each of those licenses.

The Ham Radio Prep website chunks the lessons into short sections. Each section provides video and written content.  I found it most helpful to watch the video while reading along for the first time through that "chapter". Then I listened to the videos several times if the content was difficult for me. Each chapter provided practice tests that could be repeated however many times I wanted to practice. If I answered the question incorrectly, I was able to click on "explain" and review the information about that single question.

At the end of the lessons, I could take a practice exam on that small amount of information.  

I rarely download apps. Every single place of business wants me to download an app and I try to refuse. However, I downloaded this Ham Radio Prep app for easy access to the videos and tests. I found myself listening to the videos while driving and taking practice tests during random spare moments.

If you prefer to learn from printed text books, The Ham Radio Prep License Manual is awesome. A very lovely lady, Julie, is a ham radio operator in Florida. She loaned me her manual. It is laid out in the same lessons and has the practice tests.  Also, in the manual, the information you need before you go to a test site is included and easy to understand. Including, how to obtain the necessary information from the FCC before going to the test site.

Personally, I have come to want my amateur radio license because I love listening when my friend is making contacts with people around the world, it's a hobby that I can do at home or in the parks (can't wait to have my own radio when I'm camping), and I like the idea of being prepared and possibly being helpful in a disaster when communication is difficult.

If you have ever considered obtaining an amateur radio license, I highly recommend HamRadioPrep.com  At 61 years of age, I wasn't sure that I could learn this new material. These videos, text, and app on my phone made it possible. 

Today, I passed my Technician class exam. Wooohooo! If I can do it, so can you.

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Can I Rise Above This? Can I Get Through It - A Song of Hope

I've always enjoyed writing lyrics about life because life gives us an endless supply of stories to tell. Some are happy, some are heartbreaking, and some leave us asking questions we never thought we'd have to answer. 

I like exploring all of those different parts of the human experience because no two journeys are ever the same. Sometimes my songs are about family or relationships, sometimes they're about loss or hope, and sometimes they're simply about finding the strength to keep moving forward. 

Believe in My Wings came from one of those moments. It grew out of a question I think most of us have quietly asked ourselves at some point: When life gets difficult, will I be able to rise above it?

A Simple Thought That Grew Into a Story

The idea for this song began with a familiar metaphor about a bird trusting its wings instead of the branch beneath it. That image has appeared in many different forms over the years, yet its meaning has always remained powerful. Rather than writing about the saying itself, I wanted to explore what it represents on a deeper level. I wanted to imagine what that quiet confidence might look like if it became a story instead of a quotation.

Nature has a way of teaching us lessons without ever speaking a word. We can watch a bird settle onto a branch, and while we'll never truly know what it experiences, we can observe something remarkable. It doesn't appear consumed by the possibility that the branch might fail. It rests when it needs to rest, and when the time comes, it spreads its wings and flies. That simple picture has stayed with me because it reminds me how often fear encourages us to focus on what could collapse beneath us, while courage asks us to remember the strength we already possess.

Life gives each of us our own version of an unsteady branch. It might be the loss of someone we love, a health challenge, financial uncertainty, disappointment, loneliness, anxiety, or simply stepping into a future that feels completely unknown. None of us can predict every storm that will come our way. What we can choose is how we respond when those moments arrive.

Finding the Wings Within Ourselves

That became the heart of Believe in My Wings. For me, it's a song about the balance between fear and faith. There isn't one survival path that fits everyone; however, just the belief that we can overcome can help pave the road to getting there. Sometimes resilience grows through experience. Sometimes it comes from the encouragement of those who believe in us. Sometimes it appears so quietly that we don't even realize how strong we've become until we look back.

As I wrote the lyrics, I kept returning to the same thought. Every verse and every chorus seemed to ask the same question: Do I stay frozen by the storm, or do I trust that I have what it takes to move through it? That question isn't limited to one situation. It belongs to anyone facing uncertainty, whether the challenge is visible to the world or carried silently inside.

Perhaps that's why this song became so meaningful to me while I was writing it. It reminded me that our circumstances are only one part of the story. They may shake us, test us, or force us to rethink the path ahead, but they don't define what we're capable of becoming. 

The branch beneath us may change without warning, but our greatest source of strength has never been the branch itself. It has always been the wings we carry within us, waiting for the moment we decide to trust them.

Thank you for listening; I really appreciate it. 

*********

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

YouTube:  Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

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*********

**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. Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held). I wrote, created, and produced this piece on June 21st, 2026 - Member of SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)**

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Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning

There is a legendary highway in the United States known as the “Mother Road”. It was established in 1926 and stretches 2,448 miles from its beginning in Chicago, Illinois to its end at the Santa Monica Pier in Southern California. This iconic highway is best known as “Route 66”. 

This highway was built to serve as a primary route for westward migration and tourism. While officially decommissioned in 1985,  its popularity continues as a popular route for tourists and visitors. 

Now, in 2026, we are celebrating the route’s Centennial, with events and celebrations occurring throughout the eight states Route 66 covers. The celebrations include local town festivals, museum exhibitions and many other events.

This page is the beginning, with the middle and the end to follow in subsequent pages.

Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning

Illinois, Missouri, Kansas

Driving the first three states of Historic Route 66 takes you from the bustling streets of Chicago through the rolling Ozarks of Missouri, and into the brief but beautifully preserved vintage stretch of Kansas.

The original beginning of Route 66 was at Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue, right by Grant Park. Now, in 2026, the Centennial celebration for Route 66 has designated the Navy Pier as Chicago’s Pier-to-Pier Start, a symbolic launch point for Route 66's 100th anniversary. The extension creates a scenic "pier-to-pier" journey linking Lake Michigan directly to California's Santa Monica Pier.

ILLINOIS - 301 Miles - Historic Points

Iconic restaurant on Route 66

Illinois has many points of interest along Route 66. They include the historic Old Log Cabin Inn in Pontiac, which is one of the oldest continually operating restaurants  on the Mother Road.

Pontiac also has the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum which features classic cars, memorabilia, and the largest collection of Route 66 artifacts in the country. It is listed on the National  Register of Historic Places.

The Gemini Giant at Wilmington, IL is a famous 30-foot-tall fiberglass "Muffler Man" in a space suit, a much photographed statue on the road.

Springfield, Illinois has the Shea’s Gas Station Museum, offering a massive collection of vintage neon signs and petroliana.

Classic highway memorabilia, along with old VW bugs, can be seen at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch (along with real rabbits!). 

MISSOURI - 317 Miles - Iconic Points on Route 66

Chain of Rocks Bridge

Historic Route 66 leaves Illinois and enters Missouri by crossing the Mississippi River. The iconic crossing for the Mother Road is the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which connects Madison, Illinois, directly to the northern edge of St. Louis, Missouri.

Residents of St. Louis, Missouri regularly travel along portions of Route 66 in their daily commutes as it passes through the city.

Missouri has often been called the "Birthplace of Route 66" because its official name was conceived in Springfield in 1926. There are multiple places to visit along this iconic highway, including the historic Ozark attractions,the Meramec Caverns in Stanton and the Wagon wheel Motel in Cuba, MO, which is the oldest continuously operating motel on Route 66. 

KANSAS - 13 Miles - Short, But With Much to See

Eisler's in Riverton, Kansas

Kansas has just a tiny portion of Route 66, just 13 miles long ~ the shortest route of the eight states. It stretches across the SE corner of Cherokee County.  While short, there is a must-see stop in Galena where you will find a restored 1923 Kan-O-Tex service station featuring the International Harvester boom truck that inspired the character "Mater" from Disney's Cars. 

You can also stop by the Old Riverton Store (established in 1925), known as one of the longest continuously operating grocery stores on the entire route, or check out the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum to dive into local history and outlaw lore.

Summary

From The Navy Pier (beginning) in Chicago, Route 66 travels through Illinois, Missouri and a short stretch of Kansas. Continue your journey along “The Main Street of America” with the links below. 

Related Links:

• Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66 - The Middle Part
• The End-of-the-Road on Route 66

*Part 1 of the Route 66 Centennial story was written and compiled by Wednesday Elf (July, 2026)

Travel Guides to Route 66 in Illinois, Missouri & Kansas:

Route 66: Centennial Travel Guide to the Mother RoadCheck PriceIllinois Bucket List: Explore 150 Epic AdventuresCheck PriceRoute 66 - 30 Points of Interest in MISSOURI and KANSASCheck PriceRoute 66 in Kansas (Images of America)Check Price

 

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32" Mid Century Modern Slim Accent Cabinet Reviewed

I had not previously planned an update to my home office area, but after my sweet baby dog, Watson, discovered my electronics chargers, it became necessary.  He only chewed the ends off of two chargers, but I didn't wish to see that activity continued or encouraged by danging cords.

Two home office furniture purchases were immediately made, in addition to the replacement charging cords.  I bought a new cabinet to hold all of my business papers, organizers, planners, office supplies and of course, chargers.  Plus, I purchased a box for my power strip and chargers (reviewed separately).

This turned out to be a fabulous change!  I had not realized how "messy" my work area shelves looked to anyone else with my file trays and books visible.  Once I put them all inside the cabinet, I was amazed at how much better my work area looked.  It really is a tremendous improvement.  I can thank Watson for helping me realize a change was needed and I can thank God that baby dog was not electrocuted helping me out. 

Now, I await the "Midnight Marauder's" aka Watson's next discovery! 

 

Slim Accent Cabinet

 32" Mid Century Modern Slim Accent CabinetCheck Price

Because my open shelves were conveniently located right next to my chair, I sought a cabinet with sliding doors and interior shelves.  I selected the 32" slim cabinet because of the width of the wall next to my chair.  It fit my area perfectly.  Plus, it is quite attractive.  Much nicer than open shelves!

This cabinet would be pretty anywhere in a home.  It would be a great cabinet in the kitchen, dining room, den, or hallway.  Wherever you need extra storage.  I love the sliding doors because they don't require extra area to open out.

It arrived well packaged with protective styrofoam on the ends and thin packing sheets separating the pieces so they did not rub against each other.  It took approximately 30 minutes to assemble.

• 32"W x 11.8"D x 32.7"H
• Dual Sliding Doors 
• 1 Shelf  
• Outlet Hole in Back Center 
• Safe, Lead Free Walnut Finish
• Top Holds Up To 100 lbs
• All Hardware Included

 

 Slim Accent Cabinet Measurements Two Cabinets Placed Side by Side to Look Like a Wide Buffet Cabinet

More Great Home Office Reviews

Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Rug for Your Home Office by Brite-Ideas

Computer Chair Mat Review by Wednesday Elf 

Ativa Cross-cut Shredder Review by Sylvestermouse

 

Read More Product Reviews On
ReviewThisProducts.com

 

 

32" Mid Century Modern Slim Accent Cabinet Reviewed written by:

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A Review of Flavored Coffee Recipes

I was visiting a friend today, and she made the most delicious coffee I have had in a long time.  It was cinnamon-orange with a hint of vanilla.  It was delightful, so I asked her how she made it.  Imagine my surprise when she told me one of the ingredients was Jello!  She actually uses her coffee maker and simply dumps all the ingredients into the filter with the coffee and out pours tangy orange coffee!

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of ground coffee
• 1/2 teaspoon of orange Jello
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Dump all dry ingredients into a coffee filter, gather it up and shake to mix.
2. Add the extract in the center of the filter.
3. Turn on your coffee maker and brew normally.

You can make this with tea as well, just make your tea as usual, then add the vanilla, cinnamon and Jello to the tea pot and stir to mix.  In tea it is extremely flavorful, and is delicious with butter cookies or scones.

Two Recipes for Chocolate Coffee

Chocolate flavored coffee is really delicious, one of the easiest ways to make it is by using chocolate syrup:

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1-2 teaspoons chocolate syrup

Combine the brewed coffee and chocolate syrup in a large mug. Stir well to combine, then top with whipped cream if you like.

Another way to make chocolate coffee is by using cocoa powder. This method involves adding cocoa powder to a cup of brewed coffee, stirring well to combine.

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder

Pumpkin Spice Coffee

If you want a taste of pure fall, this is the drink for you.  You can use store bought pumpkin spice, but I prefer to make my own so I can tweak the recipe to how I like it.  I usually put more cinnamon and nutmeg and a bit less clove.  I use pumpkin spice in other things, like cookies, pie or pumpkin bread, so I make a lot at a time and store it in a mason jar.  You can buy the spices already ground up, or you can buy them whole and use a spice grinder to grind them yourself. Here's the recipe for homemade pumpkin spice:

• 6 tablespoons of cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons of ginger
• 4 teaspoons of nutmeg
• 3 teaspoons of allspice
• 3 teaspoons of cloves

To make Pumpkin Spice Coffee:

1. Fill your coffee maker with water and insert a filter
2. Put one heaping teaspoon of pumpkin spice on top of 1/3 cup of your favorite coffee in the filter 
3. Stir the two ingredients together thoroughly
4. Turn on your coffee maker and brew as normal 

I love drinking this coffee on my rear deck on crisp fall mornings with my homemade raised doughnuts.  Fall bliss!

Mexican Coffee

Mexican Coffee is a spicy blend that is truly different from regular coffee.  The ingredients may sound like a strange combination, but believe me, it is a really unforgettable taste that is great for after dinner or a mid-afternoon break.

Ingredients

• 6 oz. hot coffee
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup milk (can use skim or 2%)
• whipped cream (I use the squirt from a can kind)

Directions: 

1. In a mason jar, pour the hot coffee and brown sugar and screw the lid on and shake till all the sugar is melted and there are no lumps.
2. Add the cocoa, cinnamon, and ground cayenne into the jar, screw the lid on and shake till all ingredients are incorporated.
3. In a large coffee mug, pour in the milk and a pinch of cinnamon, stir and place in the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Remove from the microwave and pour the coffee mixture in the cup and top with whip cream.

This is a great drink to serve in the evening after a barbeque or while sitting on the couch with your sweetie watching a movie.  Spicy!

Peppermint Coffee

This coffee is always a hit around the holidays!  Try it at your next gathering, I bet it will be a big hit!

Ingredients

• 6 oz. extra strong coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions:

• ▢ 

1. Place the milk, sugar, cocoa powder and peppermint extract in a medium saucepan over low heat. 
2. Stir gently until heated, DO NOT boil!
3. Pour the coffee in and stir to mix, tasting to see if you feel it needs more sugar, peppermint or cocoa.
4. Pour in a cup and top with whipped cream and a candy cane

Every time I make this, everyone just loves it!  They say the peppermint, cocoa and coffee flavors mix beautifully!

I know this last recipe isn't actually coffee, but it is a recipe you will want, trust me!  This is the hands down most delicious coffee smoothie you will ever have in your mouth, guaranteed!

Coffee Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup black coffee (lukewarm is better)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 tablespoon cocoa

Directions:

1. Cut up the frozen banana (you can use a 3/4 cup of ice if you don't like bananas) and place it in the blender.  
2. Pulse a few times to break the banana up and then add the peanut butter, milk, vanilla and cocoa.  Blend on medium until smooth then switch to puree for 30 seconds.  
3. Pour into a smoothie cup and enjoy!

I think all of these drinks are exceptionally delicious.  I love to making things that are unusual and surprise my guests. All these drinks are good at doing that!  Try a few out and see what you think, especially during the upcoming holidays.

_______________________________

Image Credits: tinyurl.com/pmm3esu

I http://tinyurl.com/jmrqlyn

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The Ultimate Guide to Time Studies

I'm reviewing my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Time Studies. My book is a step-by-step guide to learning how to time study.

In any operational environment, time is the ultimate currency. Whether you are managing a manufacturing plant, a fulfillment center, or a service team, understanding how long a task takes is the foundation of efficiency.

My Book Contains Seven Chapters:

1. Pre-Study Preparation
2. Breaking down the Work Into Elements
3. Conducting the Study (Stopwatch Methods)
4. Performance Rating (The Human Factor)
5. Applying Allowances to Find Standard Time
6. Analyzing and Acting on the Data
7. Time Study Worksheets and Templates

Knowing your labor costs is important, and developing labor costs starts with an accurate time study.

Who Can Benefit from this Book:

• Industrial Engineering students and professionals
• Manufacturing supervisors and managers
• Small Business owners
• Operations managers
• Production planners
• Process improvement professionals
• Business owners looking to improve efficiency
• Anyone interested in learning the basics of time study

Large companies may have dedicated industrial engineering and continuous improvement teams. Small businesses don't have that luxury.

That doesn't mean small businesses can't benefit from the same basic principles. My book will help a small business owner to understand where labor hours are being spent and where improvements might be possible.

The key is having an understanding of how to conduct the study and interpret the results, and my book will teach you that.

I have over 40 years of Industrial Engineering experience as an Industrial Engineer with Rockwell International Front Axle Division. Industrial Engineering manager for Bush Industries Inc., a ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturer, and an Industrial Engineer for TitanX Engine Cooling.

You can find my book on Amazon in both ebook and paperback. The paperback has an additional chapter with useful forms and templates.

The Ultimate Guide to Time Studies: A Practical Handbook for Efficiency

 

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My New Favorite Comb - Product Review

I recently purchased a new comb, which is double sided. It has a wide side and a more narrow side.

I almost purchased a different comb, but I paused, and gave some thought to the criteria that I actually wanted. I wanted my new comb to have a point for dividing my hair into sections; that point was really important to me. Low and behold, this comb that I had missed on my previous scans then showed up on my radar. Voila! There was my new comb. Perfect!

This comb is smooth to the touch, and does a wonderful job combing my hair. I use the wide tooth side for combing my hair that is still wet from being shampooed. Although I use a conditioner as well as shampoo, there are still a number of tangles to get out and the wide tooth side of this comb does a wonderful job.

If I want my hair to lay more compact, especially when adding a part to my hair, I use the narrow sided teeth side. It too does a wonderful job.

It's so nice to be able to flip the comb over in my hand to easily get to the desired side. This technique will definitely come in handy when I'm giving myself a haircut!

The comb is made from a combination of bamboo and recycled polypropylene. It is very smooth, and more so than the straight bamboo comb that I had previously.

Another thing I really like about this comb, is that the handle is somewhat wide at the base towards the comb, and narrows down to a rounded point at the end. This part comes in handy for when I want to section off hair for cutting, etc. You can see the handle here, as well as the company descriptions for the various parts.

I highly recommend these combs from ecoTools.

Check price on Amazon.

Happy combing.

Check here to read about how I give myself a short haircut.

Cheryl Paton

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Dr Buzby's ToeGrips for Dogs Review

Tile floors and hardwood floors can be quite problematic for your dog as age advances and mobility decreases. Or perhaps your dog is recovering from surgery and needs a temporary mobility aid to navigate the home. Dr. Buzby's toegrips is a product I've always had bookmarked as a possible aid to try.

Toegrips are designed by a vet to ideally assist older dogs with traction and mobility. The toegrips are little rubber sleeves which slide on each nail. 

Installation

My first thought looking at the size of the grips was whoa! The installation could be very challenging if you dog is not cooperative as many dogs have issues with alot of handling of paws and feet. I knew my dog would be cooperative, but even with a very cooperative senior dog, the installation was a little cumbersome at a minimum.

The opening of  toegrips are very small and it took me three times to find the size for my dog. The sizing chart was incorrect for my dog; however, that is usual as well. It was easy to return and exchange. 

The toegrips are soaked in alcohol per instructions and then "slid" on the nail. The instructions provided are very specific and easy to follow but it was tedious so bring patience. There are 20 toegrips per package and reviewers report the grips are long lasting before replacements are required.

Did The Toegrips Work?

This would be subjective I believe for each unique situation. I believe the toegrips help from my experience. Traction definitely improved and to date all toegrips remain from the original installation.

Price

These are not inexpensive. Price is subjection, I do think if this is the product that works great for your dog and its' mobility, then the price will be paid without a blink,  I don't know if I've seen the prices vary too much if all all. I'd like to see a lower price point or more in the package for value, but again, very subjective.

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