If you are looking for an inspirational novel that will stay with you long after you have finished the book, I would highly recommend Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.
Summary of the Book
The book begins when Theo arrives in a Georgia town of Golden on the Oxbow River. It is a small college town and Theo, a 86 year old Portguese-born gentleman, soon settles in and get to know the towns people. He asks lots of questions, but tells very little about himself.
His walks lead him to a coffee shop called the Chalice where he has a conversation with the owner and sits to enjoy his coffee and the 92 pencil portraits that hang on the wall. Theo discovers that they are all portraits of people of Golden drawn by a local artist Asher Glissen. Althought they are for sale no one has bought any and they made Theo very curious about the people in the pictures. Each time Theo comes for his coffee he is intrigued by them.
Theo decides that he wants the people in the portraits to have their portrait so one by one he purchases the portraits and arranges to meet the people in the portraits on a bench by the fountain. There he listens to their stories and gives each one their drawing. Through these bestowels we meet the interesting people of the town. The recipients include people of all walks of life. There is a bartender, retirees, a homeless woman named Ellen, a street musian, a student cellist, a custodian, children and a single father. One by one Theo makes a difference in the lives of many people.
Underneath it all the book is about quiet generoisty and seeing and being seen.
There is much more to the book and the last third of the book has some revealing twists. I don't want to spoil the book by giving hints to those revealations. To some the book may seem to start slow but I didn't see it that way. I would encourage you to read it to the end. You will be glad you did.
Books Road to Success
This book, which is the author's first novel, was first self-published in 2023. It soon became popular through word of mouth and went viral on the internet. Then in 2025 it was republished by Atria Books and quickly became a #1New York Times best seller.
I heard about it from a friend who had read it soon after it came out.
I found it to be a delightful book that has so much in it that I will read it again and again.
The Book on Amazon
The book can be found on Amazon in hardcover, paperback Kindle, or audible versions. Here is a link Theo of Golden
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.”
There are 365 days in a year (unless it's a leap year) and every one of them has a holiday or occasion attached to it. Well it just so happens that September 9th is Teddy Bear Day!
I can't think of a holiday that is more fun. Everyone loves Teddy Bears!
From the youngest babies to even older folk, everyone has their special Teddy Bear that they have grown up with. My 96 year old uncle has a whole shelf of them! I guess at that age it's not surprising that he would have a few at least. I even have a whole shelf of Teddy Bears (and I won't tell you how old I am!)
Just a few of my motley crew of Teddy Bears
Many people already know the story about how the Teddy Bear got it's name, but just in case you don't know, I'll fill you in.
In 1902 Theodore Roosevelt was invited to go hunting. They hunting party came upon a young bear cub and had it cornered just waiting for the President to shoot it. He looked at the young cub and could not and would not shoot it. This incident caused many people to ridicule their President with unflattering cartoons and write ups.
A savvy store owner in New York was inspired by the cartoon and decided to create a new toy. He even wrote the president asking for permission to name him "Teddy Bear". Who knew that this toy would take the country and the world by storm?
A baby's first gift from someone special in the family is usually a Teddy Bear. They are cute, cuddly, soft to the touch and oh so easy to fall in love with. But today there are kids of all ages who are as much in love with Teddy Bears as the babies are who get them.
We have all kinds of bears today that have become famous. Stories have been written, that have brought these loveable characters to the forefront again and again. Just think of Paddington (who even had a commercial spot with the late Queen) and of course Winnie the Pooh. Here in North America we also had the wonderful Care Bears with their own TV series.
All of this just helps to keep our darling Teddy Bears right there in the forefront of everyone's mind when it come to getting a gift for a child or someone else special. Teddy Bears can cover a multitude of occasions for gift giving, from birthdays, to get well wishes and even "I Love You" sentiments. Think of a reason and I'm sure you will find a Bear to fit.
With 7 pages of Teddy Bears on Amazon, and hundreds of other hand made (think original crochet ), or original Teddy Bear kits to make yourself, you won't run out of a reason not to get one for yourself. Especially if you don't have one!
I don't know of another toy or gift that puts an instant smile on everyone's face like a Cuddly Teddy Bear!
Just for a little extra fun, if you click on any of the BLUE COLORED links, when you see the word Teddy Bear, you will find a different bear just for you to enjoy!
Oh just for your information, I decided to stick to "stuffed" bears, there is a whole bunch of others out there that aren't so stuffy! But these ones are just so much fun to take on a Teddy Bear Picnic.
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.”
Meet some of the teddy bears, that you'll find in this adorable Cute Teddy Bears and More Scrapbook Paper, paperback. Most of the pages are only teddy bears, and other pages feature some regular bears, koala bears, other animals, and plants and flowers.
Whatever you find, they are adorable. There are patterns of bears, some with backgrounds and some with a plain background. Some are more scattered about, and there is also a fun forest picture that depicts a variety of animals that could be in a forest.
Each set of designs is printed a total of four times, once each on the front and back of two sheets of paper. This provides an opportunity to choose your favorites, and to use the chosen images more than once.
The first pages feature a pattern of cute teddy bears, each wearing a smile and a heart. There is a row of a garland of hearts between them, and they are pictured on a lavender and pink checkered background.
The second set of pages feature a selection of koala bears and bamboo. They are in a different type of pattern and are featured on a background of light green and light orange checkered pattern.
The next set of pages features a variety of one of a kind teddy bears. Each one is either doing a fun activity or supporting their personality, etc., on their fur. The background is white, and the rows are separated by a colorful heart pattern.
The fourth set of pages features alternating patterns of teddy bears on a blue polka dot pattern background. Some of the bears are solid in color, and some are sporting plaid. All are cute and all are wearing bow ties.
The fifth set of pages feature sleepy teddy bears. Most are wearing cute pajamas, and some are in bed. The background is a light pastel blue, with a mixed pattern of white and a medium light blue. It's perfect for imagining a dreamy land.
The next set of pages feature a variety of teddy bears doing a variety of activities. These are different bears doing different activities than what was shown in the third set. It's fun to have variety. The background is white.
The seventh set of pages feature outline drawings of teddy bears and real bears. Kids can use these images as they are, or they can color them in. Since coloring is optional, and the main theme is scrapbook paper, it is only listed as a scrapbook paper paperback.
The eighth set of pages feature some bears with food and some bears walking. The background is a unique pattern of light orange and light green checkered pattern. There are also squiggle lines of orange and peach for added interest and intrigue.
The ninth set of pages features a pattern of bears, all wearing bow ties and sitting in the same position. There are two bears each of six different colors. They're sitting in front of a polka dot background of blue and lavender dots of different sizes.
The last set of pages features a forest scene of regular bears and a variety of animals, including birds, a deer, a skunk, a frog, a squirrel, and more. It's a fun way to children to tell a story, add more animals that they might see in this scene, etc.
This paperback was, in a sense, a collaboration. Each set of designs contains some of my original artwork, whether it is an image or images, and or the background. Other images were from other artists that are on Canva, of which I am a subscriber.
I own own the colorful Hearts Scrapbook Paper paperback, and the images came out great. The colors did not bleed through, and I would recommend them to anyone. Both this book and the Teddy Bears Scrapbook Paper paperback has glossy covers. I prefer them over the matte.
Hope you have found my descriptions helpful.
Amazon might have a new way of downloading the image for me to show the picture of the book, which would really help. However, you can check out the image here, on Amazon, and check the price too. Cute Teddy Bears and More Scrapbook Paper.
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 Story of Life began with a poem I wrote in January 2020, originally titled Living in Light. I wrote it during a deeply personal time in my life, and I published it on my YouTube channel that same month as an inspirational video poem.
At the time, I had no idea that I would eventually return to those words and turn them into a song. But the message remained meaningful to me, and years later, I felt that the poem had more to say.
The Quiet Moment That Inspired It
The poem was inspired by a quiet moment I shared with my mother during her cancer battle. We were sitting together in a room, each of us simply occupying the same space. There was no special occasion and no grand gesture. We did not need to be doing anything in particular. We were simply together.
As I sat there with her, I became very aware of how meaningful those ordinary moments can be. Sometimes, being present with someone you love is enough. There does not always have to be a conversation or an activity. Sometimes, sharing a quiet moment can become one of the memories that stays with you the longest.
Watching my mother carry such a difficult burden also changed the way I thought about hardship. I saw a quiet strength in her that stayed with me. It made me think about the parts of ourselves that we sometimes believe have been damaged by difficult experiences. Perhaps those parts are not truly broken. Perhaps they are places where new strength can develop.
What I Began to Understand About Aging
That experience also caused me to reflect on aging and the way we change throughout our lives.
As the years pass, our physical appearance changes. We see those changes when we look in the mirror, and sometimes it can be difficult to recognize the person we once were. But I have come to believe that aging has another side that cannot be seen in a reflection.
Inside, something can become lighter.
Our experiences can give us perspective. The things we have survived can teach us. And although our bodies may grow older, our hearts can become more youthful in the way they understand love, wonder, forgiveness, and what truly matters.
A Journey Toward Home
When I think about life, I often picture it as a gentle journey through the sky. We move forward through the years, gradually drifting closer to home.
Along that journey, new lives are beginning. I imagine us passing close to newborns as they enter the world, almost as though the journey connects those leaving one chapter with those just beginning theirs.
There is something beautiful about imagining that the light we have gathered during our lives does not simply disappear. We pass something of ourselves forward. The love we have given, the lessons we have learned, and the light we have carried can continue through others.
Our light does not have to become smaller as our journey progresses. It can become part of something much greater.
Learning to Trust Our Wings
The poem also became a reflection on letting go.
Life teaches us that we cannot hold on to everything forever. Sometimes we have to loosen our grip, trust ourselves, and trust where the journey is taking us.
Pain and tears can change us. They can become part of how we understand ourselves and the world around us. The difficult experiences we would never have chosen can still leave us with something meaningful.
For me, living in the light represents a new beginning. It reminds us that life continues to move forward, and that love has a way of continuing with it.
Turning the Poem Into a Song
Years after writing Living in Light, I decided to transform the poem into a song.
I wanted to preserve the heart of what I had written in 2020, so I worked from the original words and reshaped them into a musical structure. I developed the verses, pre-choruses, choruses, a new verse, a bridge, and an outro, allowing the original poem to take on a completely new form.
The result became The Story of Life.
The song carries the same message that inspired the poem, but it also reflects the years that have passed since I first wrote those words. What began as a quiet moment beside my mother eventually became a much larger reflection on life, aging, love, resilience, loss, and the journey we all take.
The Story of Life is the evolution of those original words. I returned to something I had written during one of the most meaningful quiet moments of my life and gave it a new form through music.
At its heart, the message remains the same. Love continues. Light continues. And when we have truly loved, we have truly lived.
*********
"Drageda Lyrics" on all Platforms, including Streaming Platforms**
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Review of book #36 in John Sandford’s Prey series.
Synopsis of Revenge Prey
A former and high-ranking Russian Intelligence Officer defects to the United States after giving the CIA critical information about Russian spies who have infiltrated U.S. government services. For a year, he and his wife Martha and their son Bernard have been sequestered at a CIA facility near Washington.
Now, with new names, the Summers are being turned over to the U.S. Marshal’s Witness Protection Program. The plan is to hide them in a wooded Minneapolis suburb which resembles their former home near Moscow.
The CIA, along with the FBI, secretly transports the Summers family to their new location, turning them over to the Minneapolis WPP team of Lucas Davenport and Shelly White. Just as they arrive, shots are fired and enemies dodged as a Russian hit team attempts to eliminate the defector.
As a result, all original plans are abandoned, forcing the Summers family back into hiding while new arrangements are made.
Meanwhile, an investigation must uncover what can only be a leak within the CIA, FBI, or Witness Protection Program, as no outside entities were aware of the family's relocation.
Summary
As Marshal Davenport and his team attempt to track down a ruthless Russian hit team, the CIA agent works on discovering the leak.
Another outstanding thriller in John Sandford’s Prey Series.
*Book Review of Revenge Prey by John Sandford was written by Wednesday Elf.
For more book reviews of John Sandford books, click here.
For more books reviewed on this site, for your reading pleasure, check out ReviewThisBooks.com
The Prey Series includes the first book (#1), this current book (#36) and the next book (#37, release date due March 30, 2027)
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 recently noticed that my mother still carries her purse & a large
wallet everywhere she goes. I do love wallets that allow you to carry
photos, a checkbook, cash, id's, credit cards and more. However, they
are not always safe or practical to carry. I decided I should get my
mother a
slim wallet like mine.
When I went to Amazon to make the purchase, I noticed a slim wallet with a
zippered pocket. My slim wallet doesn't have a zippered pocket, but I
thought my mother would love that feature, so I bought it
instead.
She was very excited to get the slim wallet and I laughed when she just
went on and on about the zippered pocket. I guess I was right about
that!
I selected the blue wallet for Mom, but the slim wallet is available in
other colors too.
Even if you still carry a purse, the thin wallet will provide RFID blocking and is small enough to slip into many zippered pockets inside a purse or backpack.
Another feature that my mother's old wallet does not have is RFID blocking. The RFID blocking is essential in all wallets these days. It stops scanners and thieves from reading contactless credit cards or IDs.
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.”
There really isn't a more useful food item in the world than a casserole. Think of all the ways that casseroles are used:
Office, church or club parties
To stretch a meal out to feed more people
Meals to make and freeze for serving later
Easy one pot meals
Potlucks
Thoughtful gift for a family or friend going through a rough time
Bereavement gatherings
Backyard barbecues
Today I've decided to share one of my favorite casseroles with you:
Barbecued Pulled Pork Casserole
The main reason I like this casserole so much, other than the fact that it is so tasty, is that it is fairly uncommon. Most casseroles are made with hamburger or chicken, so barbecued pulled pork is a treat that most people do not expect. It is almost always one of the first dishes to be emptied at any gathering, I also like that when I make it for my family, if I have any leftovers, I can freeze them for a quick lunch or snack for later in the week.
It really is quite easy to make, I usually buy a pork tenderloin to cook and pull for the meat and buy the tater tots frozen. Throwing it together is a breeze and it's done in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 cups of pulled pork mixed with barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
Sprinkle the corn and one cup of the shredded cheese on top of the pork and corn
Place a single layer of tater tots, spread apart, on top of the mixture and shake a little BBQ seasoning over them.
Bake for 25 minutes and the tater tots are golden brown.
Remove from oven and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the tater tots
Put the casserole back in the oven for 10 minutes
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
I usually make a sauce of half barbecue sauce and half ranch to serve with this casserole. It's delicious dribbled on top!
This casserole is always a hit at summer parties. It stays delicious even after sitting out on a picnic table for a while. People dip into it expecting the same old hamburger and cheese tater tot casserole and are always delighted to see barbeque pulled pork instead! It's a delicious change from hamburgers and hot dogs.
This casserole is actually good any time of year and for any occasion. It's real, old fashion comfort food! It's wonderful in the wintertime, a nice hot meal on a chilly night. Also a tasty dinner in the spring, the barbecue sauce a nice reminder of the summer fun to come. Make it yourself just once, I bet it will not be the last time you do!
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 year, Fran just had to add another piece of furniture to our deck, and I'm so glad she did. She found this zero-gravity lounge chair, and we have enjoyed it all summer long. This chair makes it so easy to take a nap on a beautiful summer day.
This chair is so comfortable when I sit in it and recline; it feels like I'm floating on air. This chair was the perfect addition to our deck this summer. Since we have a finished basement, I'll move this chair there and enjoy it all winter long.
The chair has a comfortable headrest and a convenient side tray with two cup holders and two slots, one for your phone and one for your tablet. The only problem is when our son and daughter-in-law visit with our granddaughters, the chair is always occupied, so I don't get to sit in it.
The material is durable, and the highly elastic bungee ropes conform to your body, offering support and comfort like no other chair. I love this chair.
You can find this chair on Amazon in three different colors.
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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