Haunt Me! An Original Short Story and Song About My Cinderfella

 

The Inspiration Behind "Haunt Me"

When I set out to write my latest song, Haunt Me, I wanted to create something fun yet slightly romantically eerie for adults just in time for Halloween. 

It took me about a week and a half of brainstorming to nail down the exact approach and storyline. 

I finally decided to write a song about a heartbreakingly devoted woman who sets a place at the dinner table every night for her late husband, hoping against hope that his ghost might break the rules and show up. 

But as she knows all too well, the veil only thins enough for his once-a-year visit on Halloween night.

The Full Story: A Year of Empty Chairs

Every single day, I set his place at the table. I fill his coffee cup with the dark roast he used to love, letting the steam curl up into the quiet kitchen, and I leave the chair opposite mine waiting. 

I live in the fragile, stubborn hope that today is the day the universe bends its own rigid rules, that his once-a-year visit will somehow stretch into tomorrow, turning a fleeting midnight Halloween Night reunion into a permanent stay. 

But it never does. 

The coffee goes cold, the chair remains empty, and the silence settles back in like a heavy winter coat.

People in town call it a trick. 

Some whisper behind my back, wondering if I am cursed to love a ghost so fiercely that I have completely forgotten how to let go. 

They look at the second plate on my table with pity, shaking their heads at my stubborn grief. But they don't understand. 

When you've lost the person who was your entire world, an eerie, romantic midnight reunion once every 365 days isn't a curse. 

It's a miracle, and I'll take it in any form I can possibly get.

The Night the Veil Thins

For three hundred and sixty-four days, the house is just a museum of memories. 

But when the calendar finally turns to October 31st, the air shifts.

Halloween night carries a heavy, unmistakable power. 

The autumn chill outside seems to press closer against the windowpanes, and a sudden, sharp drop in temperature ripples through the hallway.

I don't need to look at the clock to know he is near.

As the carved pumpkins on the porch cast soft, flickering shadows across the floorboards, he steps out of the chill and into the warm light of the front foyer. His favorite Halloween treats sit, waiting for him, in the candy bowl. 

He materializes slowly, starting as a shimmer of mist before settling into the familiar, beloved lines of his face, wearing the jacket he wore the day he left. 

We head to the dining room where he sits across from me, his presence filling the empty spaces of the room that have ached for him all year.

Without a word, he devours his favorite meal just like he used to, completely unannounced and entirely real for one fleeting night. 

We don't need to speak of how much time has passed or how much it hurts; the language of our love lives entirely in the quiet clinking of silverware and the warmth of his eyes across the candlelight.

And then, just as quickly as he arrived, the candles sputter, the autumn wind dies down, and the chair is empty again. 

But my heart is full, because I know he will be back next year.

My haunting Cinderfella is mine, only for a night.

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

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How I Put My Lyrics to Music and Create Songs - A Basic Introduction

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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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The "Hu-gee" Mistake and Other Word Woes

 - A Personal Word Review From the Heart

Confessions of an "Expert" Proofreader

I LOVE words and consider myself an expert proofreader, ever since my stint, right after college, when I worked as one for a Midwest newspaper. 

I am also a very good speller; not bragging, it is just something I found came easy to me. 

But there are a few certain words which somehow escape me in both spelling and proofreading. The following 'story on myself' will tell you about it.

Huge vs. Hugh

When I was in college - and a journalism major to boot - I used to use the word 'Huge' a lot in letters home to describe something. Until, in one letter, mom told me I had been misspelling it repeatedly.

Mom wrote "Hugh is a man's name - the descriptive word you are using is spelled H U G E.”

Well, I could not get my mind around it - the word now looked like it should be pronounced hu-gee.  Needless to say, I never used it again. I changed my terminology to Big, Large, Gigantic -- anything except Huge!  

*Note: Take into consideration that this story dates back to a time before computers, internet, cell phones and the ever-handy (and sometimes dreaded) Spellcheck! 🙂

Ellis Sargeant Smith, Sr. - A Favorite English Teacher

A high school English teacher is directly responsible for bringing out my love of words, and for teaching me to express myself through words. ESS was a stern taskmaster in class, with ~ I later discovered ~ a soft heart. After my junior year under his tutelage, I found myself ‘visiting’ him in his classroom frequently for the remainder of my high school time. We became good friends, and he taught me as much about life as about the words of English.

Upon graduation, I left for college and enrolled in journalism as a major. I began to regularly write to Mr. Smith about my classes and activities. He would write back, enclosing my current letter with ‘corrections’ in red ink in the margins. ESS never stopped teaching this student, even when she went away to college and he retired from teaching. His ‘corrections’ were as helpful as my mother’s Hugh vs. Huge correction, particularly in making me aware of the impact of my ‘way with words’. 

The site “ReviewThisReviews.com has a group of ‘wordsmith’ writers who daily bring you reviews with their opinions about the products they use, the books they read, the music they enjoy, and a wide variety of interesting things in many other categories. This missive has been a few shared thoughts from me in the ‘From the Heart’ category on RTR. Below is a list of other WORD stories we have brought you in the past; each one well worth reading.

And, aren’t WORDS there for us to READ, in one form or another, both funny and serious, personal, and in the form of helpful books? 

In addition to being honored to be one of the contributing writers on ReviewThisReviews, I have also recently created a new page on Facebook.  In addition to being a creative crafter, I am also a writer and blogger who creates and writes under the name “Wednesday Elf”. This new page is a central hub for all my writings from both Review This and from my other blog sites. Visit me at Words By Wednesday Elf for daily stories old and new. 

Related Reviews:

• Recycle Words to Create a Compelling Story by Coletta Teske
• Express Yourself with Wooden Words by Wednesday Elf
• Roget’s Words for Writers Reviewed written by Beverly Owens

Summary

Many similar stories exist beyond this page. The related "word" stories listed above offer a great starting point, and I hope my personal tales of word-woes provide some lighthearted entertainment. 🙂

*Word Woes stories by Wednesday Elf

Helpful Word Books . . . 

Common Mistakes in EnglishCheck PriceTeacher Appreciation Blanket – Unique Inspirational Gifts for Teachers – 60”x50” Soft Flannel Throw BlanketCheck PriceSpot the mistake: 50 spelling puzzles for kids and adultsCheck Price

 

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Small Automatic Sensor Touchless Lidded Trash Can Reviewed

I like having a garbage can in each bathroom, but I don't want one that takes up a lot of room.  Our half bath is small and has only the area on each side of the toilet for anything extra.  I already have my toilet paper holder storage stand on one side, which leaves only the other side for a small garbage can.  

I had several concerns when I started looking for a garbage can for our half bathroom.  It needed to be small and it definitely needed to have a lid.  Our baby dog, Watson, thinks any "box" needs to be investigated.  An open garbage can is an open invitation for him to inspect.  

A Kleenex is one of Watson's favorite finds.  He also thinks toilet paper rolls are fun toys.  I don't really mind him having either as long as they are clean, but a used Kleenex should be off limits to our baby dog.  I also want him protected from Q-tips or the plastic wrappers on bottles, like mouthwash.  

Unfortunately, like most people, we also have flies that come in when an exterior door is opened.  They are always drawn to smells or damp paper towels.  Having a lidded trash can traps trash odors and dampness inside the can so it doesn't draw flies. 

Therefore, a lid is essential. 

 

Automatic Touchless Garbage Can 

 KOEYLE 2 Pack 2.2 Gallon Automatic Touchless Garbage Can, Small Motion Sensor Smart Trash Can, Slim Waterproof Trash Bin for Bedroom, Bathroom, Office, Living Room, WhiteAs I previously noted, this is a small trash can, therefore it fits perfectly between the wall and the toilet.  

The touchless lid has a motion sensor and opens automatically so germs are not transferred on or off your hands.  Since you don't need to touch the lid to open or close it, the lid itself stays cleaner.  My husband frequently comes into the house with dirty hands from working on the cars or in the backyard.  He can toss paper towels directly in the trash can without touching it and then wash his hands.

I like the ability to toss Q-tips, cleaning wipes, tissues, cotton balls, product wrappers, mouthwash cups, etc. in the trashcan without having to have a free hand to open the lid.  As with all trash can lids, it prevents odor from spreading outside of the can. 

• Battery (2 AA batteries) Operated Sensor Lid
• Opens when Motion Detected 
• Closes when No Motion is Detected for 5 seconds 
• 2.2 Gallon
• Uses Small Interior Trash Bags
• Interior Trash Bag Retention Ring to Hold Trash Bag in place
• Waterproof & Moisture Resistant 
• 9.3" L x 6" W x 12.6" H
• Available in White or Black 

This touchless trash can will also open manually.  Simply press the up arrow button to open. After use, just press the down arrow button to close the lid.  This is a fabulous feature for replacing the trash bag or activities like clipping nails over the bin.  

 

 

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Small Automatic Sensor Touchless Lidded Trash Can Reviewed by:

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Disney's Halloween Trick or Treat Jack-O-Lantern by Jim Shore

Disney at Halloween?  I have never had the opportunity to be at a Disney Park during Halloween though I have visited at other times of the year.  However, I would really, really love the opportunity to see Walt Disney World or Disneyland when Disney waves a magic wand and casts a spell over the theme parks transforming them into not-so-scary destinations for one of the most important nights of the year!

Shown here is a Halloween-themed piece from Disney from 2014 that features Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. It is from Jim Shore's Disney Traditions Collection and it is a trick or treat themed jack-o-lantern that lights up. I love that no candle is required because it contains a light that goes on and off at the flick of a switch.

Originally, I believe that you could buy this figurine by visiting Disney Parks. However, it is retired now and to find this fun Disney-themed Halloween collectible, you will have to turn to resellers like the ones here on eBay.

Boo-renda

More Reading:

Disney's Halloween Treat Reviewed.

Under Wraps: A Disney Channel Original and a Hallmark Movie

What is Summerween?

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Halloween Pumpkin Cheese Ball

 Soon the leaves will turn beautiful colors and fall from the trees. That means Halloween will be here soon. Halloween is always a big deal at our house.

We always have plenty of food and snacks for anyone who stops by, and sometimes we do get a crowd. Every year, Fran makes this Pumpkin cheese ball, and it's always a hit with everyone.

This Cheese Ball is easy to make and perfect with crackers, cheese, and pepperoni. Don't worry, the spiders are plastic, just a little added Halloween decoration.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of cream cheese, softened.
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped.
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
• 1/2 cup chunky salsa
• 2 cups of Doritos, crushed into crumbs.
• 1 green bell pepper stem, for the top.

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese. cheddar cheese, onion, salsa, and cumin. Mix well until it's creamy.
2. Scoop the mixture into plastic wrap and shape it into a pumpkin-like ball. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. When you are ready to serve, roll the ball in the crushed Doritos until it's coated. Now, place the bell pepper stem on top.

You don't have to wait for Halloween to make this cheese ball. It's a perfect appetizer or snack any time of the year.

If you're going to a Halloween party, check out my Pinterest board for Couples Halloween Costumes.

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I walk, Tshirts and Bottle Labels

This fun and simple design, says, I walk, with the a in the word walk, represented by two feet walking. It is for those who choose to walk more and or are trying to. It's for those who choose to increase their number of steps in a day, for those who perhaps choose to join in with others who also choose to walk more, for an event or not, in addition to their normal steps of going shopping, doing chores, etc.

When I first decided to start walking more, I started keeping track on a blank calendar form. After several months of doing that, I decided I wanted to be able to see all my steps readily on one chart, without having to flip through months. I came up with my Steps Log, that I wrote about here: https://www.reviewthisreviews.com/2025/09/reviewing-my-steps-log-poster-from.html

When I switched to the whole year Steps Log, I added up the columns and averaged them over the number of the days that were in that month. I easily saw that I averaged in the 3,000's steps per day. Then I started getting closer to the 4,000 range, and this month, I moved up in to the 5,000 step range, on average, over the course of the month.

Cool! I could see that keeping track, and figuring out the averages, was paying off.

Another thing I noticed was that on the days that I went substantially over my goal amount, in the next day or two it seemed that I would end up having more of a rest day where I was under my goal; but not by as much. So overall my step numbers were climbing.

An I walk tshirt can be used as a reward and or as an incentive.

I walk, two feet walking, tshirts
by CherylsArt

The tshirts can be ordered on styles for kids to adults, in a variety of styles and colors. The tshirts that I have ordered from Zazzle, have all turned out great.

Some other things that I found out from the many different YouTube videos that I watched, is that 10,000 or 20,000 are not necessarily the goal. At least not for me. One of the studies a video talked about was that walkers saw more benefits if they walked an average of 4,400 - 4,500 steps daily. And that the benefits dropped off and leveled out at around 7,500 steps per day. So I'm glad to be in the 4,500 step range for my daily average.

For those who are arranging a walking event, the I walk water bottles can be a great way to help get the word out for future walking events. They can be easily customized with the Event Name, under the I walk design.

I walk, custom Event Name Water Bottle Labels
by CherylsArt

This design can easily be transferred to other products on Zazzle. You can also leave a request if you want me to design something for you.

Recently, I started walking while wearing a backpack with some weight in the back This does take some adjustment! I'll write more on that that in a future post and will add a link to it here when I do.

Until then, happy walking. Let me know in a comment below if you are taking steps to increase your steps!

Cheryl Paton

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Neagley: A Reacher Spin Off

Neagley is an action-packed crime series on Amazon Prime Video. a spin-off from the Reacher television series. 

I absolutely love Amazon Prime Video; we first got it to watch the Jack Ryan television series and since then I have watched several great shows. One of my husband & I's favourite is Reacher - based on the books by Lee Childs. Reacher is a great series which has been reviewed on this site already - Lee Child's Reacher reviewed.

One of the characters we meet in Reacher is Frances Neagley and when we heard that she was getting a spin-off series we were very excited. The first season was dropped in its entirety on Amazon Prime this month, and we binge-watched it over a weekend. Wow, it did not disappoint.

When we were first introduced to Neagley in the Reacher series we knew she was a former US Army Master Sergeant and a former member of the elite 110th Special Investigations Unit under Jack Reacher. We also know she's a private investigator who is incredibly loyal to her old army boss.

In Neagley, season one, we learn a little more about Frances Neagley (Maria Sten). We see her relationship with her dad, and it shows where her sense of loyalty comes from. We also see that she's someone who has your back, no matter what, and that is amazing.

The season begins with the death of her childhood friend, whom she hasn't seen in years. When things don't add up, and police are content to close the case, Neagley decides to investigate things herself. She finds herself teaming up with a Chicago detective (who is on the outs in his department); an admin assistant who works at the same investigation agency that Neagley works at and who wants to learn to be an investigator; and a low-level criminal and recovering drug addict.

This unlikely foursome start to investigate a peaceful cult-like community called Echo Canyon Farm where her friend was staying before he died. As the series progresses, we discover that Echo Canyon Farm is, in fact, an illegal human drug experiment run by a pharmaceutical company.

There's a lot of action, like you'd expect from a Reacher spin-off, but there's also a lot more character development with not just Neagley, but the other three that you know are going to be season regulars in the future.

At the end of the season finale, Frances Neagley buys the investigation agency that she had been working at, which sets things up nicely for season 2.

While season 2 has not yet been renewed, Neagley is rated higher than Reacher on both Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB and Reacher ranks pretty high! I would predict that Neagley will be renewed and will be shown back-to-back with Reacher giving the fandom more Lee Child ass-kicking to look forward to throughout the year.

I say Lee Child - I should clarify that he has not written any Neagley books or had anything to do with the series, but he did introduce the character in his Jack Reacher books.

If you don't have Amazon Prime Video then I really recommend it. Not only for the three shows listed here, but for other ones like Cross, Mobland, Ride or Die and so many others.

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Had a Bad Day. Wrote a Song. - Failing With Valor

 

When a Bad Day Turns Into a Song

We all have those moments where life feels heavier than it should, and carrying the weight of it all pushes you right to the edge. 

On the evening of September 18, 2026, I was having one of those days. My thoughts weren't constructive, and my frustration reached a point where I needed an outlet.

Instead of letting that heavy energy sit there, I channeled it into something useful. That's how the song Failing With Valor was born.

Writing it wasn't straightforward. I went through various iterations before finally landing on the right version for my lyrics. 

From there, I took it into my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for further production modifications, shaping and tweaking the sound until it captured the exact mood and energy I wanted to convey.

The Split Between Inner Calm and Outer Fatigue

As I've grown older, I've noticed a shift in myself. When I was younger, my inside self and my outside self felt completely aligned.

But as life brought more challenges, my physical, outer self started to detach from my inner peace.

That widening split became the emotional core behind the pre-chorus. Even when the outside world feels chaotic, I am deeply grateful that my inner self still finds a way to hold onto calm.

Finding that inner calm doesn't mean I'm immune to stress. 

It certainly doesn't mean my physical self isn't feeling the heavy exhaustion of carrying it all. As the lyrics go:

“Steadying these steps as I stumble through haze, not asking for miracles just a little less weight.”

If you've ever felt like your spirit is unshakable yet your outer self is just plain tired from fighting daily battles, please know you're not alone.

To be completely honest, I almost didn't release this track. It is deeply personal, and I usually prefer to keep my writing hopeful. 

But I realized I could still be hopeful by being completely honest about how I truly feel. The truth being, I'm totally at peace on the inside - my soul is at peace; it's my outer human world that's chaotic.

I'm just looking forward to both being equal. That was my message to myself. Actually, I've been saying this to my best friend for a little too long now; inside I'm at peace, it's my outside world that feels chaotic.

I Feel This Song, and These Words Came Together As I Planned

I ultimately feel confident that I've achieved my goal with both the lyrics and the production. 

How did I know? A member of my family loved it so much that they put it on continuous replay. For me, that was the ultimate tell that the raw emotion I wanted to share actually came through in this piece.

Like all of the nearly 100 songs I've recently published, this one is raw and honest (in a different way), always with a touch of hope.

Failing With Valor is now up on Spotify, YouTube, and SoundCloud, and it is available across all major streaming platforms.

I kind of hope you don't relate to this one! :)

P.S. I worked hard to make the video convey the lyrics exactly as I meant them to be understood. I hope you enjoy the video as well.

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"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

My Website: Drageda.com

How I Put My Lyrics to Music and Create Songs - A Basic Introduction

*********

🎵 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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