She Used To Be Brave - A Story and a Song

 

She Used To Be Brave

She didn't want to move forward.

But she didn't want to go back either.

And staying exactly where she was felt impossible.

For the first time in her life, she found herself standing somewhere she couldn't explain, a place between decisions, between certainty and doubt, between the person she had been and the person she might become. It was a liminal space, though she didn't have a name for it at first.

She only knew she was there.

And somehow, the fact that she couldn't figure out why, bothered her more than the place itself.

The Woman Who Thought She Knew Herself

She had spent most of her life believing she had clarity. She made decisions. She moved forward. She faced things. She had always thought of herself as brave.

Or at least, she used to be.

So why was she standing here now, unable to take the next step?

She wished someone would simply tell her what to do. Just one person. One voice. Someone who could see what she couldn't.

Someone who might reach for her hand and say, Here. This is the way. Step through this door.

But no one came.

And perhaps that was the hardest part.

She began questioning everything.

Was she afraid?

Was she protecting herself?

Had she spent years protecting everyone else, convincing herself that was courage?

Maybe she had been confused for a very long time without realizing it. Maybe she had been lost without knowing she was lost.

That thought frightened her.

Because if she had been wrong about being lost, what else had she misunderstood about herself?

She had always known one thing for certain: she was hopeful.

Hope had carried her through difficult days. Hope had given her reasons to keep going when she couldn't see what was waiting ahead.

But now even that certainty began to trouble her.

Could Hope Be Keeping Her There?

She wondered if hope could become another kind of hiding.

Perhaps she had been holding onto hope so tightly that she had forgotten to reach for anything else.

Hope that something would change.

Hope that someone would appear.

Hope that eventually, the right door would simply open.

But what if it never did?

What if she had to choose one?

Forward or backward.

Stay or leave.

Fear or courage.

The questions circled endlessly through her mind, and still she couldn't find an answer.

Then she realized something she hadn't considered before.

Maybe being brave had never meant knowing exactly where to go.

Maybe bravery wasn't certainty.

Maybe it was standing in the middle of uncertainty and taking one step anyway.

She looked ahead.

Nothing had changed. The doors were still there. The path was still unclear.

No one had come to take her hand.

But for the first time, she didn't wait for someone to show her the way.

She took a breath.

And stepped toward the door.

Not because she knew what was on the other side.

But because she finally understood that she didn't have to know.

Perhaps that was the courage she had been searching for all along.

The courage to move without answers.

The courage to become someone new.

The courage to remember the woman she used to be and finally discover the woman she could still become.

*********

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

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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 - 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.

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Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66 - The Middle Part

MIDDLE STATES OF ROUTE 66: Oklahoma, Texas

If you have ever wondered how Route 66 acquired the nickname “The Mother Road”, here is the backstory!

The nickname came from author John Steinbeck. He coined the term in his 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath, to describe the highway as a primary lifeline for Dust Bowl refugees migrating west to California.

OKLAHOMA: 432 miles - The State with the Longest Stretch of Route 66

The state of Oklahoma has the longest continuous stretch of the Mother Road of any of the 8 states it passes through. The route enters the state in the northeast corner near Quapaw, runs southwest through Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and exits near Texola.

A few of the landmarks to visit as you travel on your Route 66 road trip include:

• Blue Whale of Catoosa: This is a quirky, iconic roadside attraction built in the 1970s. It is perfect for photos. It is located just east of Tulsa at Catoosa, Ok. The attraction is quite literally a ‘blue whale’ built of concrete and iron. This waterfront structure has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66.
• The Golden Driller in Tulsa is a 76-foot statue of an oil worker. It was originally erected for the 1953 International Petroleum Exposition. The statue depicts an oil worker leaning on an oil derrick. It is the seventh-tallest statue in the United States. 
• The Arcadia (OK) Round Barn was built by a local farmer in 1896 and has become one of the landmark tourist attractions along the stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma near Oklahoma City. . It has a unique architecture. 
• National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City, OK features exhibits, classic cars, and a peek into the golden age of American road trips. Another interesting tourist stop on your Oklahoma Route 66 road trip.

TEXAS - 186 Miles - The State with the Midpoint of Route 66

Route 66 across Texas generally parallels Interstate 40. The route features quirky art installations, ghost towns, and classic diners, with Amarillo serving as the major hub along the way.

Start by visiting the restored Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock. Then on to McClean, Texas to see the Devil's Rope Museum, which showcases a massive, quirky collection of barbed wire, and the first Phillips 66 station in Texas.

MIDPOINT: The official geo-mathematical midpoint of historic Route 66 is located in Adrian, Texas, at exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles.

In Amarillo you will find 13 blocks of vintage architecture, as well as antique shops and local dining. Don’t miss the infamous Cadillac Ranch, then treat yourself to a massive steak at The Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Summary

Having finished the middle section of your road trip of Route 66, you will next enter the last stretch of the three western states, taking you to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica.

Related Links:

• Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning
• The End-of-the-Road on Route 66

*This Travel Review was written by Wednesday Elf 

**All photos are courtesy of Pixabay & Wikipedia

Sightseeing along Route 66 in Oklahoma and Texas:

ROUTE 66 AND OKLAHOMA PARKS ADVENTURE GUIDECheck PriceRoute 66 - 20 Points of Interest in TEXASCheck PriceRoute 66 in Texas (Images of America)Check Price

 

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Speed Queen Washing Machine Reviewed

Much to my distress, 10 years ago I was forced to replace my dependable washing machine because parts were no longer available for repairs.  I absolutely hated the washing machines that were available at that time.  They didn't had agitators in the center and were like deep buckets.  I couldn't reach the bottom of most of the interior tubs, therefore my choices were even more limited.

The washing machine I purchased was the only one I could actually lean into to get the clothes out.  While I doubt any of them would have been any better, I hated that machine.  The clothes always smelled musty and didn't seem to get as clean.  I started using Clorox 2 in every load, which helped, but I still hated the machine.  It took forever for a load to wash!  Still, I had bought it, so I was stuck with it.

Finally, about 3 months ago (after 10 very long years), that stupid washing machine started leaking, only slightly, but I was able to say: Oh, good!  Time for a new washing machine!  

This time, I invested in a Speed Queen washing machine, in-spite of the scary price tag.  But, it had an agitator and excellent reviews!  The Speed Queen came highly recommended by a trusted family member.  So, I took a deep breath and completed the purchase transaction.  

I had to wait 6 weeks for my Speed Queen to be delivered, but it was well worth the wait (and the price).  I started washing clothes immediately and joy of all joys, they came out smelling clean!  Plus, I could easily remove the clothes from the machine, reminiscent of the way washing machines were built decades ago.

Oh, how I have missed a washing machine with an agitator that would actually get our clothes clean.

I cannot personally attest to the machine's longevity, but I am encouraged to hear that many consumers report they will last for 20 years.

My Speed Queen machine is smaller than the one I replaced, but it will wash everything I need washed, including blankets and bedspreads.  Smaller loads, but that is okay with me.  Everything gets clean!

 

Speed Queen Washing Machines

 SPEED QUEEN Home Style Digital Top Load Washer (LWNE22SP115TW01)Check PriceI purchased a different Speed Queen model with dials instead of an electronic control panel, but mine is not currently available on Amazon.  Therefore the one on the right is not my actual machine, but it is fairly comparable.  My machine is not portable like the one featured.

• Stainless Steel Tub    
• Agitator
• Solid Mount Suspension System

I realize I have only had it for 3 months, but thus far, it has been awesome.  The family member that recommended it stated that Speed Queen is the best you can get and I believe that too. 

Speed Queen Washers and Dryers are not available in the big box stores.  We had to find a local store (can be found online: fergusonhome.com)  that supplies home contractors & builders to order the Speed Queen washer.  Thankfully, they work with individuals too.   

 

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Speed Queen Washing Machine Reviewed written by:

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Review of Fall Home Decorations for 2026

 I enjoy changing the decor in my home to fit the seasons and autumn is my favorite season.  I prefer decorations that are simple and classic.  For fall bringing the colors of the season into the home with colorful pillows and throws, leaves, pumpkins and candles give you a warm and cozy feeling.  I have an entrance table that I like to decorate with a fall runner and some simple decorations.  In early fall I have a sunflower runner and add a colorful pot and some fresh flowers in the colors of the season.  Later in the fall I will change to a pumpkin designed runner and some pumpkins and candles.  Below is a photo of my early fall runner and flowers.

Amazon has a lot of interesting fall decorations.  Here are some that I really like and thought they would be a great addition to my fall decor.

Leaves

Leaves make great decorations for a staircase or a fireplace mantle. This colorful leaves with berries and small pumpkins is 6 feet long.  it will be perfect for my mantle.  Here is a link to Amazon for the leaf's pictures above. Fall Leaves

Another great way to bring fall leaf color into your home is with this pair of colorful "Fall Maple Trees".  They are each 22 inches tall and are battery operated.

Here is a link to the trees on Amazon. Fall Maple Trees

Table Runners

Table runners are a great way to add a touch of autumn to your home.  I like to use them several different way.  They are great for my dining room table, my entrance table and sometimes I hang them over the banister leading to our downstairs.  Here are two that I found on Amazon.

Fall Pumpkin and Leaf runner                                                                           

Pumpkin Runner                                                                                               

Pillows

Colorful fall pillows can add a touch of fall to your sofa or chairs.  Here is one I really liked on Amazon.  They are covers for pillows and come in a set of two that are 18x 18 inches each.  What a great way to convert pillows you have into a fall theme.

Pumpkin Pillow Covers                                                                               

Fall Bathroom

I also like to bring a touch of fall into my guest bathroom.  Here are some items I found on Amazon the help give your bathroom a touch of the season.

Fall Hand Towels                                                                                              

Pumpkin Soap Dispenser                                                                                   

Fall Bath Mat                                                                                                 

Flameless Pumpkin Candle

Fall Kitchen

I also like to add a touch of fall decor to my kitchen.  Here are some ideas for you from Amazon.

Pumpkin Trivets                                                                                               

Fall Kitchen Towels                                                                                   

Fall Coasters

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Storm Glass Weather Station ~ A Unique Gift Idea

When you get to a certain age (I refuse to state what that age is), you might find yourself in a quandary when it comes to a gift for a birthday, anniversary, retirement or some other BIG occasion.

It's happened to me and I know it's happened to you too!  

Well, I found something that we are currently enjoying because it looks nice, has an appeal that will fit just about any lifestyle and it's always changing.

What could this possibly be?  Well let me introduce you to Our Storm Glass Weather Predictor!

I purchased this for my other half to help celebrate a birthday (I won't say which one) and he had no idea what it was even after opening it and taking a really hard look at it.  But I could see that he was amused and interested.

We took this gift one step further and added a base that lights up.  Not only does it change the way it looks, but I think it makes it even more interesting.

Our base is just perfect to add that little touch of brightness in a dark corner.  Inexpensive and it really does make this Weather Storm Glass stand out.  We love turning off our lights in the evenings and this just emits enough light that you can easily make your way around the room.

Here is a picture of it and the box that it comes in.  It was well packaged because it's delicate, we had no problem with breakage.  The  light base is not as delicate.

This is what the Storm Glass looks like when it is on the light base and you are looking down at it.  I think it's pretty amazing and unusual.

I think this looks like a storm waiting to happen, but the light playing within the Storm Glass is just mesmerizing.

So if you know someone who has just about everything they need and you still want to get them a little gift that is sure to please, add this one to your list of unique and fun items

Does it work as a weather predictor?  Apparently it should!  If the liquid is clear, there will be fair weather.  Small dots or flakes means humid weather.  Crystals forming fern like or tree like leaves means frosty or cold conditions.  If the liquid is cloudy there could be stormy weather on it's way.  And if the crystals are sinking or shapeless there could be southerly or warm winds on the way.

My eyes are not so well trained to see all these subtle differences, but I find it fascinating just to look at it and that is good enough for me.

One thing is certain, it will be a gift that will make everyone take notice, because, it is rather different and leaves room for some unpredictable enjoyment.

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.”

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Football Tshirts, Tote Bags, and Binders

These football themed items are designed with the family in mind. They are football themed, but not team specific. It's all about having some family fun and enjoying the game.

The football themed tshirts simply feature the word FOOTBALL, spelled in capital letters, with the two O's replaced with my painting of two footballs, slanting towards the upper right. I chose a grunge type font as it looks pretty worn, like a football uniform might look. The design looks pretty cool and is perfect for some friendly football fun.

FOOTBALL word tshirts in brown
by CherylsArt

This design is printed on the front, of any tshirt style and color of the customer's choice. The tshirt sizes available, will vary depending upon which style tshirt that you pick. If you need a size that is not listed, then try a different style to see if that works out for what you are looking for.

The basic FOOTBALL word is also ready on various canvas tote bags. There are a variety of styles to choose from. As of the date of this writing, there are five tote bag styles to choose from, ranging from tiny to jumbo, one with a pocket and most without. The color options of the canvas will vary depending upon which canvas tote bag style is selected.

FOOTBALL word tote bags in brown
by CherylsArt

The FOOTBALL binders offer some extra aesthetic appeal. The background on the cover is solid green to represent green turf. On the front cover, is the word FOOTBALL spelled with two footballs for the O's. There is a template placeholder for a person's name which is printed on the top half of the cover. The word FOOTBALL is printed on the bottom half of the cover.

The spine holds another placeholder for additional words. You could add a favorite team name, dates that this football binder covers, etc. The choice is yours.

Personalized Brown Football on Green Binder
by CherylsArt

I have purchased both tshirts and canvas tote bags in the past and have been pleased with my purchases. Overall, customers have rated the binders a 4.7 out of 5, with the majority of customers being very pleased.

These designs are printed on products that are available on Zazzle. I made the football artwork, and Zazzle is the company that does the printing and shipping. Zazzle offers a thirty day return policy within 30 days of receipt of the product(s). Things that are covered are Delays caused by Zazzle, its Makers or Carriers; Production mistakes; Damaged or incorrect items; Misrepresented or otherwise inaccurate product information; and Size or fit related issues. However, they don't cover items outside of Zazzle's control, such as when a Zazzle user places design items outside of the design area. So basically, keep the design within the dashed lines. Zazzle is pretty good about showing you where the safe design area is.

May you find this information helpful, and hope you and your family and or friends enjoy your football excursions.

Cheryl Paton

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Tiger Toes Review

Tiger Toes ? My first thought was what a cute name and my second thought was... I hope these work!

Tiger Toes are grip socks for senior dogs to help with traction for joint, age, mobility issues. The grip design is patented and effective to assist traction particularly on hardwood or tile floors.

Do They Work?

Yes, absolutely. However, each dog is unique as to why additional traction is needed and how much- I'm sure we'd all like more but the increase in stable footing is noticeable/ 

Design

These socks were designed with the dog and owner in mind! If you have every tried to put dog boots on then the struggle can be huge. Last winter was so cold we had no choice in my area then to put boots on the dogs for their protection. 

Tiger Toes is a combo of traction like boots, but the material is lightweight. Because the socks have grip on each side and by design can be twisted and still usable; the socks are much easier to put on each leg. The width of the sock is also forgiving vs the narrow boot. 

The socks do extend up the leg with a velco fastener. I found the fastener was not really necessary and appreciated the lack of zippers, buttons, sticky patches which can be hindering or stick to fur.

Twist Factor

One of the best features is the sock can rotate or twist around the foot and not only works, but does not constrict the dog. I have found with boots many times one boot will twist backward and well... that really annoys the dog (we wouldn't want to walk around with one shoe backward!!)

Washable

Yes, the Tiger Toes are washable.

Sizes

The toes come in medium, large, extra large. Medium works on my medium sized dog. After a few looks at the Tiger Toes, he has adjusted quickly. 

I was admittedly skeptical after trying a few products to help with senior dog mobility with mixed results. It can take a few tries with dogs and aids to find one that fits the dog and fits the problem. 

I found the Tiger Toes delivered as promised at a very reasonable price point for the product. My only wish is that an extra sock would be included cause... just like human laundry, there can be a black hole for socks!

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An Emotional and Original Mother Daughter Wedding Dance Song

When I look back at my own wedding day, there are so many memories etched into my heart, but one moment that didn't happen for me was a dance on the floor with my mother. 

In fact, back when I got married, that wasn't nearly as common as a father-daughter dance, and it simply wasn't something I had ever heard of back then. Even though I never shared that exact experience, I completely understand why honoring this profound bond has become such a cherished trend in modern marriages. 

Brides today often want to honor both parents, and creating a dedicated moment for the mother of the bride provides a gorgeous and balanced counterpart to the traditional father-daughter dance. That desire for balance and emotional completeness is what originally inspired me to create this piece.

As a writer, I have spent a lot of time crafting story lyrics for weddings, exploring the vast spectrum of family relationships. Yet, this project marked a first for me: my very first wedding dance song for a mom and her daughter.

When I sat down to write the lyrics for Mother and Daughter Forever, I knew I wanted to strip away the grand timelines. I didn't want the song to get lost listing a lifetime of achievements or speculating about where the future might lead. 

Much like my mother-son wedding song, The Child, The Boy, The Man, I wanted this piece to stay entirely grounded in the present. It needed to remain a pure and quiet space where a mother simply tells her daughter how deeply and unconditionally she is loved.

Crafting Mother and Daughter Forever: A Personal Reflection

Bringing Mother and Daughter Forever to life went far beyond just penning a few lines on a page. Once the lyrics captured that exact emotional weight, I rolled up my sleeves and digitally produced the musical arrangement and video, pouring the same creative heart into it that I bring to all my storytelling.

Ultimately, this song is about telling the story of that intense and lifelong personal love a mother feels for her daughter from the very first breath to her wedding day. It completes the full emotional narrative of a daughter's life alongside her parents. 

Whether you are a bride dreaming up your reception playlist, a mother looking for a way to express what is in your heart, or simply someone who appreciates the quiet power of family bonds, I hope Mother and Daughter Forever speaks to you the way it spoke to me while creating it.

*********

"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.”

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