I wrote these lyrics on April 17th, 2026, after realizing that while I had already created several wedding lyric videos, I had never really touched the mother-son dance. I have written about the father-daughter connections, and it pulled at something deep, but this… this felt different.
I wanted it to feel like something a mother would quietly carry inside her. Not polished. Not perfect. Just honest. Almost like a page from a diary.
This One Wasn’t Easy For Me to Write
As a mother of four adult sons and a step-mom of two more, I thought the words would come quickly. But they didn’t.
I sat there for a bit, unsure how to even begin, which doesn’t happen to me all that often. So I did what I always do when I can’t quite find my way in… I closed my eyes and pictured my boys.
Not just as they are now, but as they’ve been.
I let my mind go all the way back. To the moment they were first placed in my arms… to the baby years… the childhood years… the boyhood years… and then to the men they’ve become.
And somewhere in all of that, the feeling finally came through clearly.
When I look at my sons, I don’t see one version of them.
I see all of them.
I see the scraped knees. The sleepy eyes. The laughter. The learning. The growing. I see everything layered together. And even now, after all these years, there are still moments when I catch a glimpse of the baby they once were. Not constantly, but just enough to remind me that those days don’t actually leave you. Not when you’re a mother.
And that’s really what this song became about.
Because life does what it’s supposed to do. Our children grow up. They become independent. They build lives that are their own. That’s how it’s meant to be. But none of that erases what came before. It doesn’t replace it… It adds to it.
So when I think about a mother standing on that dance floor with her son on his wedding day, I don’t see her dancing with just the man in front of her.
She’s the only one in that room who’s danced with all three.
The child. The boy. And the man.
That’s something no one else shares in quite the same way. A wife may know the man. Sometimes she might know the boy if they grew up together. But the mother… she’s the one who carries all of it. Every version. Every stage.
And that’s what I wanted these lyrics to hold.
That quiet, overwhelming knowing… that when she looks at him, it’s never just who he is now. It’s who he’s always been.
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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.”
For truly unique, you can't beat 'handmade'. Etsy has some very talented clock-makers. Below are a few from my favorite Shops.
You can also browse throughout Etsy to search for your own unique ideas. Click here to get to Etsy
Owl Wall Clock | Decoylab on Etsy
DECOYLAB is a designer/illustrator in Kansas City, Missouri who makes very unique timepieces using wood and paper.
Pictured here is an Owl Wall Clock, from her collection for the nursery/kids room that are simple, modern and fun!
This clock is made with laser cut, ¼ thick 3 ply bamboo and clock parts .The clock measures Size: 6" w x 8” h x .75” d. Made with sturdy 3ply bamboo (¼” thickness)
Clock for your Craft Room
If your 'hobby' is in the field of fiber arts, like me, time spent in your craft room would be fun with a clock that represents your favorite craft, like this one about Knitting!
This very amusing clock design fits a crafters' thoughts exactly. When you are engaged in working with your favorite craft, time tends to either 'stand still' or be ignored because of the pleasure it gives you. Thus, this delightful hobby clock will fit in your craft room perfectly!
Knitting clock is created using solid oak or maple in several sizes, and the wood is laser cut with a laser engraved design.
There are a variety of sports-related handmade clocks on Etsy. Since MY favorite sport is BASEBALL, I chose to display a clock with my favorite MLB team - the New York Yankees.
Handcrafted out of wood, these sports clocks with your favorite team are Laser-cut out of fine wood and hand painted. They measure an average of 14 x 14 inches.
Created by a Vero Beach, Florida designer for their TimeOutPaintedDesign Etsy Store, here’s what they say about **Why You'll Love It:**
These clocks are not just about telling time; it’s about celebrating our love for sports with style. Whether you're a fan of football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, this handcrafted piece adds a personalized touch to your decor. It also makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions for the sports enthusiasts in your life. --- Add this charming sports clock to your collection today and enjoy a perfect blend of elegance and enthusiasm in your home!
Summary
So browse through the handmade clocks on Etsy and find just the clock design that suits your needs. Perfect for various rooms throughout your home, hand-crafted clocks also make lovely gifts for friends and family.
Take a lesson from the clock;
it passes the time by keeping its hands busy.
~Evan Esar
For more reviews of ‘clocks’ on ReviewThisReviews, click here
*This guide to “Handmade Clocks by Clever Crafters, was originally published on November 12, 2014. While the original site is no longer active, Wednesday Elf has brought the best of that content here for you.
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.”
I previously reviewed
Mischief and Manors, the first book in the Change of Heart Series. I expressed
how delighted I was to find such an entertaining series "built around
characters with charm and wit". The second book,
Seaside Scandal, was
equally as enjoyable as the first. However, this third book,
Lies and Letters, has thus far been my favorite, but that reason had
nothing to do with charm or wit.
The main character in Lies and Letters, Charlotte Lyons, was one of
the characters in both of the previous books. She was
definitely not a likable character. She was a cunning,
deceptive, self-centered, vain, backstabbing, fortune & title seeker who
didn't care who she hurt in order to get what she wanted, including other
women who thought she was a trusted friend. There was absolutely
nothing about Charlotte that made her admirable or desirable aside from her
physical beauty. That beauty may have attracted men, but once they
looked past the surface, they lost interest completely.
We knew some of Charlotte's background from the previous two books, but we
learn all about her in Lies and Letters. Her mother has trained
her to harden her heart against emotions and to secure a future of
fortune. A titled husband was most important for societal
success. Charlotte was even a malicious and cruel liar when it served
her purposes.
Surprisingly, as much as I disliked Charlotte in the first two books, I
couldn't help feeling very sorry for her in this book. I even wanted
her to have a life filled with love, instead of the hatefulness she had been
taught all of her life.
Sometimes people get what they deserve. Other times, they are
fortunate enough to start over and get a second chance. Then there are
times when they get both. There is nothing like a fiction book to make
everything so crystal clear. Real life is a lot messier, but isn't
that one of the main reasons we enjoy reading fiction?
Lies and Letters Synopsis
Lies and Letters: A Regency Romance (Change of Heart Book 3)Check PriceWhen the Lyons family discovers their father/husband has lost his fortune
gambling and ruined their reputation socially, Charlotte's mother plots a
way for her daughter, Charlotte, to restore their standing. Mr. Lyons
is excelled to France. Mrs. Lyons goes to live with her wealthy
cousin. Charlotte and her sister, Clara, are sent away from London to
the northern coast of England to pursue an Earl who is too far away to know
what has happened to their family. Her mother has made it clear that
Charlotte must succeed!
Upon arrival at Craster, Charlotte is immediately disgusted by the dismal
place. She can't imagine having to live the rest of her life there,
but she steels herself to the fact that she has no choice. She must
get the Earl to marry her and restore her family's standing. In order
to do that, she "uses" every means available to place her in the path of the
Earl, including threatening his brother. She has fortuitously come
into possession of an old love letter he wrote. Charlotte insures him
she will send that letter to a young woman in town to force him to marry her
or risk ruining the girl's reputation. As a gentleman and truly kind
person, James will not harm the girl and the family that has been his
friends for many years.
Noting Charlotte's education and social training, James recommends her to
his brother for the position of governess to his daughter. Clearly,
that will put Charlotte exactly where she needs to be ensnare the
Earl.
But, Charlotte, herself, is the one who ends up being ensnared and the
costs are exorbitant and life changing.
There are definitely some unexpected twists in this Regency Romance.
Books by Ashtyn Newbold Previously Reviewed on ReviewThisReviews.com
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.”
This is the second of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.
If anyone has a store on Zazzle that is getting to big, it can be helpful to make a separate store that features designs that aren't currently in the original store. Since my original store was all about my artwork, I decided to make the photos that I was wanting to use, be in a separate store. This method can also help customers more easily find what they are looking for; as there is less categories to look through.
I don't have near the amount of photos that I do of my artwork, so it is easier to navigate. As of the writing of this blog, there are only nine categories in CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Although there are only nine categories, there are a wider variety of the different photo types. They can include animals, fireworks, flowers, floral peace signs, insects, scenes, trees, wood, and more.
The categories that I decided to have are:
Apparel and Accessories:
I love this beautiful photo of when my pink azaleas were in full bloom along the neighbors back wall. I thought this beauty would have been popular on a variety of products, but the main one that sells is on men's ties. Cool!
The sub-categories in this section are Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.
Celebrations:
Although I used a bit of my artwork to top off the groundhog, it is more photo than artwork, so this critter got assigned to CherylsArtPhotos. Did you know that Groundhog Day is always on February 2nd?
There are not many items in this category, so there are not sub-categories to see here.
Holidays:
I have always been a cat lover and have created a variety of designs inspired by a number of my cats. Sometimes, the photo is just cute enough to leave things as they are. Here, my cat Tori is exploring her present. This photo is printed on downloadable cards, if you happen to be ordering close to the holiday.
The various holiday items only take up one page, so there is also no sub-categories for this section.
Home and Sewing:
Home and Sewing includes a variety of sub-categories. They are: Clocks, Doormats, Fabric, Kitchen and Dining, Magnets, Nail Art, Notepads, Shower Curtains, Throw Pillows, Tiles, and Wall Art. The Kitchen and Dining sub-category actually has sub-sub-categories.
This pretty black eyed susan photo looks great on mugs. The mugs can be easily personalized on the provided template form.
I currently have two mugs that I purchased from Zazzle. The artwork looks great, as does the finish on them. They wash up great in the dishwasher.
New Products:
The New Products category is actually assigned by Zazzle if you don't already choose a category when designing your product.
Office and School:
There are three sub-categories in Office and School. They are Business Cards, Mousepads, and Pens.
Sports, Toys, and Games:
The Sports, Toys, and Games section also has a variety of sub-categories. They are: Cornhole Games, Jumbo Fast Four, Pickleball Paddles, Playing Cards, and Puzzles. As you can see, the store designer and fine tune how they choose to make their categories, sub-categories, etc. If I had a lot of items in this section, the sub-categories would have been more general in nature.
Stationery:
There are six sub-categories in the Stationery section. They are: Address Labels, Cards, Post It Notes, Postcards, Stationery, and Stickers.
Floral and scenic postcards seem to be a popular choice.
The Travel section has two sub-categories. They are Luggage and Luggage Tags.
I hope you enjoyed the overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Any of the product links above will take you to my CherylsArtPhotos store on Zazzle. To search this store, choose a link that says CherylsArtPhotos; once there, you can do a search for what you are looking for by looking for the search box below the header.
May you have a great day and may you find what you are looking 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.”
The Rooster Bar by John Grisham is a legal thriller with a twist of rebellion and some dark humor. The Rooster Bar was on the #1 New York Times bestseller list in 2017. Our house is like a library, I swear, Fran has kept every book she has ever read. So, it's not hard for me to find a good book to read.
The story follows three law students, Mark, Todd, and Zola. They are in their last semester of a shady, for-profit law school that leaves them deep in debt with very little hope of passing the bar exam or even landing a job.
When they discover the school is a scam, exploiting students for profit, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Grisham now takes on a fast-paced journey into the gray areas of the law. Survival means bending the rules or breaking them entirely.
The characters are relatable, and you can't help rooting for them, even as they cross ethical lines. Mark is the cautious planner, always trying to stay one step ahead. Todd adds a bit of humor, and Zola brings a personal and emotional story.
My Thoughts:
The Rooster Bar is not about winning cases; it's all about surviving a broken system. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
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.”
A good torch is a great practical item that makes life safer and easier. We have a really good torch we bought for blackouts, power cuts, and emergencies at home and on the road.
After a few unexpected power cuts, a power failure at home and a car breakdown, we realised how valuable a dependable, well designed torch can be for us.
Now my husband is severe sight impaired blind, I am responsible for his safety in all situations and so I feel safer and more in control now that I have a handy and powerful torch. The Fire Brigade visited us to advise and recommended we have at least one torch and we actually bought four, one for the bedroom, the hall downstairs, the car and one I keep in my handbag.
Why We Invested in a Good Torch
Like many people, I had relied on the torch built into my phone. It is handy, but on my phone at least, is not bright enough for real emergencies and it is only one light source. After a couple of situations where we needed a stronger light, we decided it was time to buy a good dedicated torch.
Important Torch Features To Consider
Bright enough to light up a large room and when outside so a good strong beam of light is necessary.
Lightweight so it can be carried easily and durable
Rechargeable, or easy to find batteries for convenience.
Small enough to keep in a pocket, handbag and the car. I know from experience that I wont carry a big torch around with me.
Handle or loop handle to hang over the wrist, so I don't drop it and so that it is easy to handle when carrying other things or guiding my husband.
Equipped with multiple light modes, such as low or soft light, bright light and flashing alert mode for emergencies so that it is versatile whatever situation we are in.
A small compact size to fit in a pocket or handbag, you can see in the photograph below how our torch is only the similar length to a mobile phone.
How It Helps During Power Cuts and Blackouts
Power cuts, although most disruptive during the long dark nights of winter can and do happen at any time of year. Storms bringing down cables, electrical faults, trips, outages or even planned maintenance can leave us suddenly in the dark. Now we are so used to having electricity in our homes and light at the flick of a switch, this can become a little worrying when we are in darkness.
A good torch makes a huge difference to us in relation to safety and security. It is very reassuring knowing we have torches that will work whenever we need light.
We can safely move around the house without tripping up over things or having to rummage to find things in the dark. This is especially important if you have children, are a carer for someone, are older or have a disability.
A torch should be powerful enough to light up the stairs, hallway, and areas outside the house like the drive, garden and garage for when we need to go out after dark.
It gives us instant, bright light without draining our phone that may well be needed to make calls.
It makes checking the ECU (Electrical Consumer Unit) under our stairs for tripped lights so much easier as we now have a very bright directional light.
A good torch with regularly checked batteries should have a good long battery life. Or even better if easily rechargeable.
The very bright flashing emergency mode can be used to signal for help if needed.
Car Safety
We also keep a torch in the car, and it’s been invaluable more than once. We used it to check a tyre after a pot hole encounter and trying to find something we lost in the boot where we do not have a bright light.
There is the comfort of knowing that if we break down, we have a good torch and so a light source which is always comforting in the dark.
The emergency flashing mode is especially useful if we ever need to alert that we have broken down and it is reassuring to have it. It is good to be visible on a dark road. I also feel better knowing that, although I have my mobile phone to call for help, if I need to wait in the dark, I have a source of light and if there are occasions I cannot get a phone signal I could use it to signal for help.
More General Uses For A Torch
Walking the dog at dusk or even letting the dog out for the final toilet in the garden. We looked after a dog once who was afraid of the dark and we needed to use a torch so he would go toilet!
Checking the garden or shed is locked after dark.
Going out after dark to seek out caterpillars or snails on my plants (I don't kill them but I do move them to other less important plants !)
Taking the bins out after dark, I always forget to do it in the daylight especially in winter!
Night time safety when travelling whether its in the car or on public transport.
Walking back to car parks when its dusk or dark. I especially prefer to have a light source with me when doing this.
Keys in the door when returning home in the dark.
Power cuts or outages at home or work
Camping in the countryside or simply outdoor evenings in the garden.
A simple torch has brought us peace of mind. It’s not the most exciting item to buy, but it is very practical, reliable, and extremely useful. I would also buy it as a gift.
I keep a torch in my handbag, the car, our bedroom and hung in the hallway. It’s one of those items that gives me peace of mind wherever I am and it makes my husband and I feel much better prepared for those unexpected, yet very possible events that happen.
As I say bye for a while, it has been a pleasure writing here. Thank you for reading my articles and being a part of my journey. I truly appreciate it. Raintree Annie xxx
Reviewing How A Good Torch Is A Great Safety Item by Raintree Annie
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.”
Arbonne's GreenSynergy Elixir is a drinkable smart nutrition + skincare routine that features your greens, collagen builder and happy gut formula all in one delicious shot. Let's review why I love it and highly recommend it to all my friends.
I have been drinking some form of greens drink for about 10 years and have reviewed the two previous 'versions' here on ReviewThisReviews. For the last year, I have replaced my Green Gut Glow drink with this GreenSynergy Elixir and I haven't looked back!
The GreenSynergy Elixir is a three-in-one formula that combines all of the ingredients from my previous Green Gut Glow drink; however, in my opinion, this tastes so much nicer - it's a citrus flavour which I really enjoy. The convenience of having just one sachet to mix with water makes my life so much easier - but is it just as good?
Let's break down the three components of this drink - greens, collagen builder and digestive enzymes.
First, let's look at the Greens component. The Green Gut Glow drink featured the BeWell Superfood Greens supplement, which contains a blend of 36 different fruits and vegetables per serving. The GreenSynergy Elixi still contains a serving of fruit and vegetables, but the blend only includes 12 different fruit and vegetables in their blend. I have a reasonably good diet and it works for me. If you need more nutrients, I recommend the Green Gut Glow bundle.
Secondly, we have the collagen builder. I have reviewed the Skin Elixir supplement previously and explained that I started taking this because I thought it might help with my Rheumatoid Arthritis (this has not been tested for this, it was only anecdotal evidence that collagen could help). I was concerned as I wasn't sure if there would be the same amount of collagen builder in this product.
I haven't had any adverse reactions with switching from the Skin Elixir (as part of the Green Gut Glow bundle) to the GreenSynergy Elixir, as far as my reasons for taking a collagen builder.
Thirdly, we need to look at the gut health component and this is where I have found a difference. The GreenSynergy Elixir contains a blend of 13 full-spectrum digestive enzymes to help support digestion. I have found that on a daily basis this supplement works really well for me, however, if I am sick, need to take medication, am stressed, or on holiday (where my diet changes), then I need to take a probiotic supplement if I want to avoid indigestion. When I was taking the Green Gut Glow bundle, this wasn't the case.
I basically keep some Biotic Sticks on hand for times when I need a little extra help. If you are looking to improve your gut health you may want to take the Green Gut Glow bundle, but I am still choosing to stick with the GreenSynergy Elixir.
At the end of the day Arbonne's GreenSynergy Elixir wins in both taste and convenience in my opinion, however, there is definitely room for both the GreenSynergy Elixir and the Green Gut Glow bundle - which do you want to try?
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.”
Since I write lyrics about life, I tend to cover many angles: motherhood, grandmothers, children, memories, reflections on growing older, and the emotional layers that come with it all.
The Story Behind The Lyrics "Grandpa's Diamonds"
Lately, I realized I've written quite a bit from those above perspectives, but I hadn't really shared the voice of a grandfather. Not deeply, anyway.
So I felt it was time to write something that touched that part of life, too, the relationship between grandfathers and grandsons, and the kind of quiet wisdom that can be passed down through that bond.
I wrote these lyrics on April 6th, 2026.
The Inspiration Behind The Lyrics
Dad lived into his late seventies. His life was like many, filled with goodness, trials, and tribulations. While he could be tough, he was always fair and had a rare ability to recognize others' potential and could spot those “diamonds in the rough.” If there was even a small spark of goodness in someone, he could see it, and many times he chose to acknowledge it.
As his daughter, I understood that side of him well. I believe he knew we all have a purpose, even if we sometimes need guidance to find the right path. However, staying real here, he would never talk like this and would probably just nod and move on if I ever said this to him!
My father, like every Dad, had his own beliefs. He made his mistakes, like anyone, but he was also shaped in those early years by the people who saw something in him worth believing in.
In his very early years, Mom told me stories about how certain people helped steer Dad in the right direction. But honestly, it was my mother who was his rock and motivation. I often wonder how different things might have been without those who chose to see his diamond in the rough. He was, in many ways, as my lyrics say, a recipient of grace, and he passed that grace along when he could.
This song reflects that perspective. Through Grandpa's voice, the quiet strength of a man who looks beyond a person's surface and exercises compassion over judgment. However, again, just being real, Dad wasn't a saint, and like all of us, he could be judgmental, but when it came to spotting something special in someone, he could see it.
The lyrics are a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful impact we can have is simply to see the goodness in others and help them see it in themselves.
Because one day, it could be us who needs that same grace.
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