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Sunday, November 1, 2026

When Life Seems Hard, Give This Original Song A Listen For A Little Empathy and Hope

 

When Life Seems Hard, Give This Song I Wrote A Listen For Little Empathy and Hope

When Life is Hard - Be The Eye In That Storm - "I Am The Hurricane" by Drageda Lyrics

I Am the Hurricane started with two words I happened to hear while watching television: "Hurricane and whirlwind". 

They were ordinary words in the context of what I was watching, but they caught my imagination. I reached for my notebook and wrote down the idea. 

I didn't have a complete story in mind. Still, I was intrigued by the possibility of using something as enormous and unpredictable as a hurricane to express thoughts about the human experience.

I eventually found myself looking at the subject from an unusual perspective. Instead of simply describing a storm, what if the person experiencing it became part of the storm itself? 

That question opened up an entirely different direction for the song.



A Different Way of Looking at the Storm

I chose a country music duet for this song because I wanted the lyrics to have a storytelling quality that applied to both men and women. 

The subject gave me plenty of room to build imagery, but I also wanted something beneath the surface that listeners could think about.

A hurricane is a fascinating subject because of its contradictions. It is destructive, unpredictable, and powerful, yet its eye presents an entirely different picture. That contrast made me think about how we sometimes present ourselves to the world compared with what is actually happening inside us.

We can appear composed while dealing with enormous internal pressure. We can carry on with our daily routines while thoughts and worries compete for our attention. Other people may see very little of what is going on beneath the surface.

I liked the idea of putting those contrasting experiences into a song without spelling everything out for the listener.

Who Is Really in Control?

An interesting tension runs through I Am the Hurricane. At first, the storm seems to have all the power. But as the story develops, the perspective changes. The person at the center of it begins to take a more active role.

That raised another question for me. How much control do we actually have over what happens in our lives?

We make decisions every day, sometimes without knowing how far-reaching their consequences might be. We can get caught up in situations that seemed harmless at first, only to discover that getting out is much harder than getting in.

But responsibility isn't always the answer. Not everything that happens is something we have caused or could have prevented. Life has a way of presenting challenges that nobody could have anticipated.

I wanted these different possibilities to coexist in the song. I didn't want to tell listeners what their own experiences should mean. I wanted to give them an image they could interpret through their own circumstances.

What Remains When Everything Changes?

One part of the story I find particularly important is what happens once the hurricane's intensity is over.

The end of a difficult experience doesn't automatically erase everything that came with it. There may be things to repair, decisions to reconsider, and memories that take longer to put behind us. The aftermath can be its own challenge.

I think this important part of the human experience often gets overlooked. We tend to concentrate on the moment when something goes wrong, but what happens afterward can tell us just as much about ourselves.

The person in this song has to face what remains. No one can pretend nothing happened. The damage has to be acknowledged before a new chapter can begin.

And perhaps that is where the most meaningful change takes place. Not necessarily during the most dramatic moment, but in the quieter period that follows.

A Song That Leaves Room for Interpretation

When I write a song, I don't always want to close the door on every possible interpretation. I enjoy the idea that two people can listen to the same lyrics and come away with entirely different thoughts.

Someone might connect this song to a period of personal upheaval. Someone else might see it as a statement about independence, accountability, or learning to trust their own judgment. Some listeners may even interpret the hurricane as an expression of the power they have discovered within themselves.

I find that range of possibilities interesting because the story becomes something more than the lyrics I originally set out to write. It becomes an opportunity for people to connect their own thoughts and experiences to the words.

I Am the Hurricane began with two words I heard on television. What emerged was a country song that let me explore power, uncertainty, responsibility, and the many ways people respond when life doesn't go according to plan.

Now that the song is out in the world, I'm curious about the stories other people will find in it.

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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

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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.




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.”


Sunday, October 11, 2026

A Fun Halloween Story Song To Add To Your Spooky Playlist

A Fun Halloween Story Song To Add To Your Spooky Playlist

With Halloween season in full swing, I've been having a lot of fun leaning into a completely different kind of storytelling. 

While I usually write lyrics inspired by real-life moments, family milestones, and special occasions, I've wanted to step outside my comfort zone lately and dabble in the spooky side. 

Building on another track I just put out, "Haunt Me," I set out to write another Halloween song purely for fun: a classic, atmospheric ghost story with a tragic twist.

The result is my new song, "My Grave." 

A Spooky But Fun Story Song - Boo!

The story follows a woman caught in a bittersweet, ghostly loop. Every morning, she wakes up reaching across an empty, cold mattress, sliding her feet into the slippers her partner bought her last fall while a strange chill lingers in the hallway. 

Time has completely stalled for her: mail sits untouched on the table, her watch on the mantel has stopped ticking, and her reflection is hidden behind a foggy mirror. 

Convinced her partner is just out of reach, she watches neighbors walk by outside without a glance, feeling the eerie weight of being unseen by the living world.

The emotional turning point hits when her partner finally returns home, collapsing on the couch in agonizing tears and crying out, "Why did you die?" In that heartbreaking instant, the illusion shatters. She realizes the truth: she is the one who passed away, and she has been haunting the halls. 

Instead of moving on, she stays behind, lingering as a spirit and waiting patiently for their final day together.

Writing this was such a blast because it bends the rules of a traditional love song into something haunting and theatrical. 

I hope it adds a little bit of spooky storytelling to your October playlist.

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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.”


Monday, September 14, 2026

K&H Self-Warming Crate Pad For Dogs Reviewed

This has been the year of traversing through senior pet products and many trips to return items as well. The senior pet product market has definitely expanded with a plethora of products. After searching for pet heating pads, the almost 6000 positive reviews caught my attention for the K & H Self Warming Crate/Heating Pad.
dog crate

This is a thin pad covered with microfleece and sized to standard crates, but can be used as a stand alone item. I paired the pad with an orthopedic bed.

Does The Pad Work?

Yes, it does. It generates a very gentle low level warmth.

Why I Like This Pad Over A Pet Heating Pad?


I did try and return an electrical pet heating pad. Not because the pad did not work, but because I had concerns regarding the necessity of supervision I felt necessary with a heating pad even with auto turn off features.

I prefer the Self Warming Pad with no need to find electricity. This makes the pad very portable. The pad is already sized to common crate sizes and is washable. Owners also report the pad works wonderfully for cats and laps.

The price point is reasonable and what is interesting when reading the comments and reviews are the number of people who bought the product for their pet and after seeing how well the pad worked, returned to purchase another for them! Great Idea!




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.”


Sunday, July 12, 2026

It Is a Cliche, Believe To Achieve, BUT...

It Is a Cliche, Believe To Achieve, BUT...

It is a profound truth that what we believe to be possible shapes the very limits of our reality. 

The words "it's impossible" caught my attention while I was watching television and immediately struck a deep chord. I felt an urgent, quiet compulsion to save that phrase in my collection of lyric ideas, knowing intuitively that if you truly believe in a vision, that conviction possesses the transformative power to manifest it into reality. 

It was this seed of thought, planted in the stillness of the moment, that led me to write and produce this latest song on July 10th and 11th, 2026.

My creative journey has always been guided by this principle of belief. When I encounter a concept that feels too large or too daunting, I do not see a wall; I see an invitation to expand my own boundaries. This song reflects that perspective, and I hope it invites you to view your own challenges as opportunities waiting to be unlocked.

A Lifelong Connection to the Impossible

The concept of the impossible has resonated with my spirit since I was just a young child, long before I understood the world's complexities. I still vividly remember being ten or eleven years old, standing on the ice, choosing "The Impossible Dream" as the musical accompaniment for my solo in an ice skating show. 

That early, crystalline memory established a lifelong and unbreakable connection to the theme of transcending human limitations. It was not just about the music; it was about the feeling of gliding over ice, testing the boundaries of what I could achieve with my own body and will. The best part of this story is that my father was in the audience, and my Mom informed me that, while he watched me skate to "The Impossible Dream", he cried (tears of happiness, that is!). That memory will stay with me forever. I'm grateful to have that memory.

Naturally, as I sat down to create these lyrics, I wanted to weave that thread into the fabric of the song. I wanted to express my personal philosophy regarding the fluid, often invisible boundary between what the world deems "impossible" and what the human heart deems "achievable." 

We are often told that certain things are beyond our reach, yet every great human accomplishment was once labeled impossible by those who lacked the vision to see it come to life. By drawing on that childhood memory, I wanted to bridge the gap between the young girl on the ice and the woman I am today, still chasing dreams that others might question but that I know are valid.

Transcending Doubt Through Internal Fire

My intent with these lyrics is to explore the major human milestones that were once dismissed as impossible, such as the breakthroughs in science, the arts, and personal growth, which were ultimately realized through sheer, stubborn persistence. I wanted to focus on the individual who quietly pursues a dream that others may doubt, but which they know, with absolute and unshakable certainty, is within their power to accomplish. These lyrics are a testament to that internal fire and the immense strength that comes from a conviction so deep that external skepticism holds no weight whatsoever. When you carry that kind of fire, the noise of the outside world simply fades away.

Ultimately, these lyrics reflect the power of true, unwavering belief. When your drive is rooted deep within your soul, it does not matter if the world around you calls your vision impossible; your faith can absolutely make it so. 

History is not just a record of events; it is a catalog of evidence showing what humans have achieved when they refused to accept "no" as an answer. I truly believe that it only takes one person, one vision, and one moment of radical belief to change the world. 

That concept serves as the foundation for the final message of this piece, one I hope resonates with you, reminding you that your dreams are not just fantasies but possibilities waiting for you to claim.

Reclaiming Your Own Vision

As you listen to this track and read these words, I invite you to look at the "impossible" things in your own life and ask yourself what would happen if you simply decided to believe. 

We are the architects of our own reality, and the blueprints are written in the ink of our convictions. I hope this song serves as a reminder that the power you are looking for has been within you all along, waiting for the moment you decide to break through the ceiling of your own limitations. 

Whether it is a professional goal, a personal transformation, or a creative endeavor, your belief is the key that opens the door. There is no limit to what you can achieve once you decide your vision is worth more than others' doubts.

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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 For A Free Short Guide on How to Convert Your Poems Into Lyrics

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**I write and produce story-driven lyrics. ** ** ** Vocals and music are digitally produced (I am not the singer). I digitally direct and arrange the video and recording. ©2026 DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - All Rights Reserved. Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held). I wrote, created, and produced this piece on June 21st, 2026 - Member of SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)**





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.”


Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Purple Blue Monogram Design - Product Review

This is a purple and blue abstract leaf design on a blended yellow background. I designed it so that all of the leaves are pointing towards the center opening of yellow.

note card


I love how this design turned out. I started out by making various leaf designs, trying different techniques. The other designs were different shades of lavender and purple backgrounds. They didn't quite fit what I was after so I moved on. Then I decided to play around with my paints and squirted some purple on my printing area, and my eye caught sight of the bold vivid blue. Voila. Perfect!

"And they go with yellow," I thought. I painted a yellow background. At first, I had the leaves come off from one side, kind of flowing towards the center. And then I just kept going. "That's right, pointing towards the center, towards the area of importance," I thought. Then I kept filling in the outer edges, making the border look full and lush. That's it!

This design is perfect for anything of importance; i.e. monograms, name, address, letter writing - whatever the case shall be.

The first product I designed with this was business cards. All of the main information is on the front of the card. I made the back of the card, solid yellow. It coordinates with the front of the business card, and can also easily be located if the card is mixed in with other cards, by it's bold and vibrant back.

All of the text areas on any of these products can be easily customized on the provided template forms.




I always purchase my business cards from Zazzle. Early on, there was a mess up on one of my business cards order, but Zazzle readily replaced them. Everything has worked out great since then.

You can choose from matte and glossy finishes for the various card typs on Zazzle, and also from various card stocks which come in an assortment of colors, textures, and finishes.

On the note cards, I enclosed the border design tighter around the center, making it perfect for a short name or monogram. The border design on the back of the note card is spread out to allow an open writing area.




I have purchased a variety of cards from Zazzle, and they have all turned out lovely. The colors are crisp and the card stock has always been great.

I used the same idea with the border being spread out on the lined stationery. The design is the same on both sides here.




I used the same mindset when designing the luggage tags, as I did for the note cards. One side is for the monogram, and the other side is for the contact info.



Do you have a favorite or a request? Let me know in a comment below.

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.”


Sunday, March 1, 2026

My Fun Wedding Dance Song Lyric with 19 Movie References!

My Fun Wedding Dance Song Lyric with 19 Movie References!

I wrote Our Real Life Movie on February 22, 2026, and I'm smiling a little as I type that—because this song started as a challenge to myself, and I wasn't at all sure how it would turn out.

The Way I Was Able To Write This Kind of Song!

Writing songs about a couple's love is the hardest thing for me. Which is funny, really, because I've been married for forty years.

You'd think it would be easy. But writing about brand-new love, those early feelings, that fresh spark, feels far away sometimes. Not gone. Just lived-in. And trying to capture that without sounding corny, forced, or like I'm missing the emotional mark has always been tricky for me.

Originally, my goal was to write a first-dance wedding song. That was the intention. But once I sat down with it, I realized I needed a way in—something I could emotionally connect to. That's when the idea shifted.

Using My Crazy Knack For Remembering Movie Lines as That Spark!

I decided to approach it differently, drawing on something that has stayed with me my whole life: movie lines.

I'm Gen Jones, a late boomer (1954-1965), and I've been lucky enough to grow up with some incredible films—especially rom-coms from the 80s and 90s. 

Certain lines never leave you. They lodge themselves in your heart, your memory, your understanding of love. So I started weaving them into the song—some directly, some indirectly—until the project took on a life of its own.

Nineteen movie-related lines later, what started out feeling difficult became fun. Here it is! It's upbeat and fun.

It wasn't easy. Not even close. But it was the good kind of hard—the kind where you don't mind taking your time because you're enjoying the process. 

I didn't know if I could pull it together, and I didn't rush it. I let it become what it wanted to be. It took me about 2 days to write these lyrics; that's long for me. Oh, and of course, I design all the artwork and create all the videos. Lots of fun work. Lucky, I love it so much!

I've Been Writing Since I Was 8 Years Old - I'll Write Until I Drop :)

I've been writing since 1968, since I was eight years old, and I still never know where the next project will come from or how it will unfold. Some things arrive fully formed. Others need to be coaxed, challenged, and played with. This one asked me to stretch a bit.

I have written song lyrics from a fictional place before; this one, Elvis Saved My Life, was a fun project I gave myself in the late 1990s/2000s.

Creating the vocals and music took time. I'm fussy about emphasis. Certain words need to land just right, or the emotion doesn't work for me. When it finally came together, it felt right—like the song knew what it was doing before I did.

This song became a puzzle, and I love that part. If you feel like dissecting it and spotting the references, I've left the answers below so you can see how many you caught. I hope you have fun with it.

And if you're getting married—congratulations. Truly. If you choose to dance to this song, please link it for me. I would genuinely love to see it become part of someone else's real-life movie.

That thought alone makes the whole challenge worth it.

Here are the Movie Lines Referenced in The Lyrics (Directly or Indirectly):

1. "For a million tiny little reasons" – A Million Little Things

2. "I'll never let you go" – Titanic

3. "I'll never miss a thing" – Armageddon

4. "There's a time for everything, now it's our time to dance" – Footloose (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

5. "You'll never be in a corner" – Dirty Dancing

6. "Turning fifty shades of grey" – Fifty Shades of Grey

7. "We now write the script for our never-ending story" – The NeverEnding Story

8. "Etched in our notebook" – The Notebook

9. "Our tale of two cities" – A Tale of Two Cities

10. "Through pure serendipity" – Serendipity

11. "I jump, you jump" – Titanic

12. "I choose us" – The Family Man

13. "I wanted it to be you" – You've Got Mail

14. "Was like coming home" – Sleepless in Seattle

15. "It was like I had always known you" – Sleepless in Seattle

16. "We found our passion" – Flashdance

17. "We certainly made it happen" – Flashdance

18. "Oh what a feeling" – Flashdance

19. "Into our own ever after" – Ever After Bonus Musical Nod (not a movie)

BONUS: Old School Music Reference!

20. "Dancing on the Ceiling" – Lionel Richie

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Follow Me - Drageda - Lyrics About Life:

Facebook: Lyrics About Life on Facebook

YouTube:  Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Amazon: Drageda Lyrics on Amazon Music

iTunes:   Drageda Lyrics on iTunes





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.”


Monday, February 9, 2026

Beurre D'Isigny Butter Review

I should begin this review with a disclaimer that it would be rare for me to meet a piece, stick, tub or block of  butter I did not like!  I am a fan of butter and only use butter for baking. I always favorite a brand of butter my family has used for decades which also leads to reliability when baking. 

However, I do like to try different products and this butter caught my eye as it landed at the top of the list for Butters of 2025! A quick look around my neighborhood grocery and I found Beurre D'Isigny.

beurre dlsigny butter

The butter came in a block form and was definitely priced higher than other brand name butters, but in the same price range as what I would consider premium brands. I used the salted version, but an unsalted version is also available

Creamy

Yes! Yes! and Yes! The perfect consistency for melt in your mouth butter. The butter complements and does not distract when spread on breads and rolls. 

 Spread --- ability

This butter was a delight to spread! Directly from the refrigerator and the butter can be easily spread with a knife. I was suspect as the butter was in a block; no need to be suspect, the butter truly is easy to spread from the block cold.

The consistency was perfect to spread with the portion in mind. My usual butter is not easily spread from stick form; the butter cannot be spread cold without breaking apart the bread.

Taste

Smooth, sweet, velvet, silky, rich are a few adjectives which come to mind.

What Makes This Butter Different?

  • Pastures: The Isigny area is known for its' mineral rich grasses which the cows enjoy.
  • AOP is the status to ensure the butter is made in the specific region with specific traditional process.
  • Additive Free
  • Beurre D'Isigny is a type of cows' milk in Normandy, France
  • Smooth As Silk
  • Salt crystals on outside
  • Dates back to 16th Century

Recommendation

I did not bake with this butter, so no opinion! This is definitely a butter I like to have in the refrigerator, especially to use on bread, bagels or rolls or baked goods.  Due to the price it is not practical to use for everyday cooking, but... 





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.”


Monday, December 1, 2025

Reviewing the Pentel Arts GraphGear 1000 Mechanical Pencil and Premium Gift Set

The best gift ideas come from the recommendations of people who spontaneously tell you about an item they use and love. This happened a couple of weeks ago when my friend told me about his Pentel GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil. My friend is artistic and he is also familiar with which tools folks that work in engineering and drafting depend on. While showing me his GraphGear 1000, he also produced an old Pentel mechanical pencil that his Grandfather used. That they have used these pencils over generations are a glowing review alone.

Pentel Arts GraphGear
the Pentel Arts Premium GraphGear 1000 set on Amazon


Pentel Arts GraphGear 1000 Premium Mechanical Pencil

Online information about the Pentel GraphGear 1000 Premium Mechanical Pencil:

  • superior drafting pencil; tip length is for use with rulers and templates
  • dual-action retractor to advance and retract lead; avoiding lead breakage
  • soft, latex inlaid metallic, chiseled grip
  • Pentel's Super Hi-Polymer lead sizes: 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm size lead available

The Boxed Set of Four GraphGear 1000 Includes:

  • 4 Mechanical pencils, in 4 different colored barrels
  • 4 lead refill tubes (1 tube of each size)
  • 4 eraser refills

(Currently on Amazon with a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating resulting from over 2,200 reviews!)

If you are hesitant about buying this boxed, gift set there are many options for purchasing just one Pentel Mechanical Pencil at a time. Which is what I am going to do for myself. I am constantly looking for a pencil. when I do find it, the lead needs sharpened. Now that I realize mechanical pencils can be used across decades, I have decided that I need one in my life. I am partial to the one with the light, bright blue grip.

My Personal Thoughts

Some of the students I work with, prefer to use mechanical pencils for their personal reasons. I have tended to think of mechanical pencils as inexpensive and semi-disposable. What quickly caught my eye about my friend's GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil with the beautiful chiseled markings on the metallic pencil grip. It was clearly not a disposable pencil. 

My friend showed me the difference in appearance between the lead sizes; thin to thick. He also talked to be about the differences in lead softness/hardness (H, HB, and B) and how that appears in drawings. The gift set I am reviewing comes in the HB level of hardness. There are other lead refills and pencils that can be purchased in the H and B levels. (note: there are other levels of hardness, but we did not go that in-depth in our discussion).

While writing this review, my friend and I looked up information on his Grandfather's mechanical pencil. The pocket clip carries a stamp "SKILCRAFT". By doing a quick search, we learned that Pentel mechanical pencils began in the 1960s, and the SKILCRAFT version was produced during that time. His Grandfather's pencil is also stamped "U.S Government" and was likely obtained during his work at Bethlehem Steel all of those decades before. The history of this Pentel pencil shows to me that these pencils can be passed down through the generations.

photo of a Pentel pencil from the 1960s
A little piece of history

Find the Boxed Set of Four Pentel GraphGear1000 Premium Mechanical Pencils on Amazon here.

The Pentel Store of America on Amazon carries a huge selection of pencils, markers, art supplies.... pages, and pages of craft, art, and gift ideas.




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.”


Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Reviewing Six Key Gardening Tasks To Do In Autumn

 Golden Seedheads Autumn scene


Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. I love the still warm yet mellow sunshine, the quieter days and slowing down of nature, the still long days but earlier nights, the sound of the rain and the slight crispness in the air. 

It all marks a transition time in the garden, there are still gorgeous vibrant autumn flowers and lots of green leaves and activity, yet we are very much leaving summer behind with every passing day. There are more seedheads and rosehips and berries in our gardens. In this time there are some key jobs we need to do now in the garden to clear, prepare and organise to get ready for winter and the spring to come. 

Blue and yellow autumn flowers


1. Tidying Up The Garden(with caveats.)

I usually start my autumn tasks with taking stock of what I have and what did well and what did badly. I also clear out some of the old plant material and do some cutting back. In this clearing phase I am very mindful of nature and that we do need to leave lots of cover for insects and small creatures so they can live and survive the autumn and winter. So I tend to curate the tidying up and only do what is absolutely necessary. 

I do clear out all the annuals from pots. They have grown, boomed, faded and set seed and completed their cycle. The plant itself can be discarded or put on the compost heap. I tend to tip out any loose compost onto the garden soil. Then I clean out all the pots.

With the Perennial flowers I prune them back for tidiness where needed, but leave as many seedheads and stalks for wildlife to feed on and hide in during the winter months. These can always be tidied up in the spring for a neater look.

Do be careful what you prune though, many plants and shrubs should not be pruned right now as any new growth or exposed branches may be susceptible to frost. Spring flowering shrubs should not be pruned now or you will be cutting off all the flowers.  If in doubt leave them now. 

 If I had a greenhouse I would now bring in tender plants, but instead I start getting out my fleece to cover these plants for the winter. 

All my evergreens are pruned now so that they will maintain their shape throughout winter and as they are the backbone of the garden in winter its important they look nice. 

It won't be very long before leaves start turning all their beautiful colours and then falling to the ground. I tend to leave these leaves in the borders where the worms will do their thing and take them in to the soil and above soil leaves will provide shelter for tiny insects. 

However I do clear leaves from the paths where they could become soggy in the rain and slippery underfoot. I also clear them from any gravel and the garden lawn as they are not good for the grass where they can cause fungal disease and in gravel they just look messy as they decompose. 

Flowers like forget me nots are way past their best now. Do not just cut them down though. They can be lifted and divided then replanted in new places around the garden to make a bigger better display next year. Lift the whole clump, divide it gently with your hands being careful to gather enough of the root system and replant about a foot apart in new locations.

Pale Blue Forget me not flowers



2. Caring for Lawns and Grass

Spring and Autumn are key times for lawn care and renovation. In many ways now Autumn is a better time.

Our spring was so dry  that although i sowed new grass seed with the lack of rain it made watering a time consuming chore and then we had four heatwaves which scorched the grass and turned a large part of it brown. As we had a hosepipe ban we could not water it, but I knew that most grass recovers once it gets some rain.

So now in Autumn there is a chance to nurture the grass again and give it a better chance to recover.  I start with scarifying the soil, so raking it with a lawn rake, which gets rid of all the dead thatch.

Then I use a fork in the soil every few inches to aerate the soil. After that a lawn feed is a good idea and it sets the lawn up for a good season.

To read more about overseeding a lawn please read Reviewing Overseeding A Lawn With Grass Seed.

Autumn is also the time for a final cut of the lawn. We hardly mowed our lawn this year due to the hot sunny weather and heatwaves. However now it has had some rain and grown and greened up we can give it a light trim before winter. I prefer to use a manual lawnmower and review the drawbacks and benefits here


3. Planting Plans

Autumn/Fall is a good time to review our planting in the garden and I usually increase my stock and plant beautiful spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths during September and October. If you grow vegetables it is time to sow over wintering onions and garlic which are a good crop and useful in the kitchen. Tulips should be planted a little later during October and November. 

I love doing this as although we rapidly approach winter, it is an act of joy that soon after Spring will arrive.

We have enough established shrubs and roses now. However, if you are wanting to plant any shrubs, hedges, trees or roses, it is more economical to buy bare root varieties now and plant in Autumn so that they can establish well before the winter and then they will settle and start to grow well in the springtime.

It is also a good time to move established shrubs that need moving to a better place to give them time t establish and then grow on in Spring. Even if it is rainy do always settle them in with a good drink of water and if there are dry spells you may need to keep watering yourself for a while. Always water deeply to make sure it reaches the roots.


4. Mulching Borders

For borders it is a good idea to lay down a good mulch now to protect plants and nurture the soil. Mulch can be organic like bark or compost or inorganic like pebbles or slate compost to name a few options.

Just ensure you mulch a couple of inches deep and keep a few inches of space around the base of any shrub and trees stems or trunks. More Information On Reviewing The Benefits Of Garden Mulch 


5.Pruning Shrubs, Hedges And Roses

At this time of year I prune my tea and shrub roses, this is not the big prune but rather just a light cutting back so that they do not get caught up in the wind and suffer root rock as they sway. Therefore prune about a third off the top with secateurs or loppers. However if you like the rose hips you will need to leave them or prune very lightly

White roses

For climbers I do prune off any long whippy stems I don't want in September. This is mainly to prevent them from flying around in the wind and becoming a hazard. A little later on I will be tying in the stems I want and recreating the framework for beautiful roses next year.

For pruners nearly every gardener has their favourites and it is very personal. You need to balance grip, weight, cutting power, ease of use and comfort overall. For me I like the Fiskars and the Wolf ranges.

Hedges that could not be cut before due to birds nesting are now perfectly fine to prune back and Autumn is a good time to do it so it stays tidy all winter. 

 Fiskars Pruning Shears for Gardening, Multipurpose 8" Garden Shears with Sheath and SoftGrip HandleCheck Price

 


6. Taking Care Of Wildlife In The Garden

Looking after or caretaking wildlife to me is a crucial part of gardening. Here in UK we are losing so much natural habitat that nature is increasingly reliant on our gardens to survive.

While August is a very quiet time in our garden for birds, come September and October they start coming back into the garden. It is a great idea to have a birdbath as water is more important than most of us realise.

Birds, insects and small mammals become more reliant on our gardens for food sources. This can be food we put out in bird feeders to the berries and seeds and roots in our gardens. In UK Hedgehogs require shelters such as log piles, leaf litter or bespoke hedgehog houses to live in during the colder months.

Insects and spiders need wild areas to shelter in and hunt from. So hollow stems of flowers, seed heads, leaf litter on soil it all helps them to live. So it hugely benefits these creatures to not be too tidy in our gardens. 

For More ideas Reviewing How To Help Wildlife In our Gardens


 BACKYARD EXPRESSIONS PATIO · HOME · GARDEN 912449-WB Outdoor Garden Bird Bath- Bronze- Weather Resistant Polyresin-30 InchCheck Price

 


Garden Tools We Need In Autumn


Some people have said to me that gardening ends in September, but for me there is such a lot to do in order to help wildlife, keep the garden looking good and healthy and safe for us.

Autumn/Fall is a lovely time to be outside, nice and cool, with often some mellow sunshine and lots of wildlife to watch and plants to find in our gardens to fascinate us.


Read More Gardening Reviews on ReviewThisGardening.com

Read Diary Of A Wild Country Garden Blog

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Reviewing Six Key Gardening Tasks To Do In Autumn By Raintree Annie




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Sunday, September 28, 2025

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story

 

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night

The Spell Gone Wrong

Hazel, Griselda, and Moondrop weren't your average witches. For one thing, their brooms had more duct tape than straw, and their black cat had defected to the neighbor's porch two Halloweens ago.

But this year, the sisters had big plans.

"We're taking over the town!" Hazel declared, waving her wand like she was conducting an orchestra. "Every man, woman, and child will croak as frogs by midnight!"

Unfortunately, Hazel had a small problem: she never read instructions all the way through. So, when she mispronounced the spell, instead of turning the townsfolk into frogs… she turned herself into one. With a pop and a puff, there sat Hazel, slimy and green, blinking her bulgy eyes.

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story

Griselda laughed so hard she fell into the cauldron. 

But before she could crawl out, poof! she too was a frog. Then Moondrop, in her attempt to "fix it immediately," only managed to hop right into the same trap.

Three frog-witches croaked in chorus under the moonlight, glaring at each other from the pumpkin patch, so much for world domination.

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story The Three Useless Witches

From Frogs to Goats - Total Incompetence!

As frogs, the sisters had limited spell-casting power, but Griselda—always the bossy one—was determined to fix their slimy situation. She hopped onto a toadstool, puffed up her throat, and croaked out a forgotten rhyme she half-remembered from Witch School:

"Eye of newt, tail of bat,
Get us out of this, and fast at that!"

The air shimmered, the ground shook, and then—BOOM! Gone were the frogs. Success? Well… not exactly.

Instead of returning to their witchy selves, they were now goats. Yes, goats. With witch hats perched between their horns and long, crooked noses somehow still attached, they stood bleating on the side of a windswept mountain.

Hazel tried to bleat with authority: "We're… still… powerful!" But the only thing that came out was "Maaaahhh!"

The goats slipped and slid on the rocks, their robes caught on branches, and one of them even started nibbling on her own spellbook. Scary? Not so much. Spectacularly ridiculous? Absolutely.

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - The Witches Spells Went All Wrong


Bikini Witches in Bali - It All Went South!

By now, Moondrop was done. "We are never going to make it to town at this rate," she bleated, stomping a hoof.

Determined, she concentrated harder than ever before, her goat-eyes glowing green. "This time, no mistakes!"

The mountain swirled. The goats spun like tops. A burst of fireworks filled the sky. And then—swoosh!—the sisters found themselves lying on soft sand with the sun beating down.

WHAT!

They were back in their witchy bodies! But there was one small catch: instead of flowing black gowns, they were now squeezed into neon bikinis!

Hazel's funky swimsuit sagged in all the wrong places, Griselda's hat flopped over her sunglasses, and Moondrop's green skin was already turning a suspicious shade of sunburn.

Each held a martini glass that didn't even have a paper umbrella, staring in disbelief at the turquoise waves rolling in.

Hazel finally slumped back in her lounge chair. “Maybe… just maybe… Halloween isn't our thing."

Griselda raised her glass. "To ghosts. Let them handle the haunting! We suck."

The three witches clinked their witchy potions together in defeat. 

And so, on that Halloween night, while the rest of the world celebrated spooks and scares, three witches in bikinis sat in Bali, drinking martinis, and admitting once and for all—they were better at beach vacations than at being scary.

The Witches went to Bali and left the haunting up to ghosts




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