Coldest Brand Spill Proof Tumbler

I usually stay away from trendy items but I jumped on this popular item because I thought it might be a really good choice for me.  I was right! The Coldest Limitless Bottle is advertised for the crazy length of time that it keeps cold drinks cold as well as being spillproof. Those two reasons are more than enough to purchase a Coldest Limitless Bottle. But I was betting this tumbler would be a great choice to help with the adaptations I sometimes need due to my difficluty with weak hands. I was right! My Coldest tumbler keeps my ice coffee cold all day and prevents my accidents (spilling, leaking, or breaking) I have with other mugs or bottles.

My Opinion - My Coldest Bottle is an adaptive tool that Makes My life easier

Adaptive tools, or assistive devices, are technologies or items that can make every day activities easier for folks to do. Folks who often have physical difficulties. Assistive needs are as varied as each individual.

I have physical difficulties. Mostly with my hand strength, hand pain, and lack of coordination. I use scissors, knives, and small everyday pry tools to open things that most people do not need help to open.  Over the decades, my favorite way to carry water, juice, and ice coffee has been either with steel Bubba brand tumblers or with Mason jars with iLids.  Honestly, glass is my favorite for ice coffee and a quart sized Mason jar has been my daily home made ice coffee for years.

But the more often I fall or drop things, the more I have worried about carrying that Mason glass jar to work. Or anywhere outside of the house actually. And my other tumblers don't break but the lid pops off when dropped and makes quite a splash (of coffee). Of course, I was seeing review after review for the currently trendy Coldest brand. I ordered my first Coldest Tumbler because of the thick handle, the ability for it to fit into my truck's cupholder, and the leakproof lids. Specifically, the spill proof straw lid. How can that be?  All of my tumblers with straws leak if turned upside down, or dropped on it's side. 

How could this lid and straw be leak proof?

Easy. Genius. The straw fits fairly tightly into the lid to begin with. The bunker assembly is a much softer material than the lid and straw.  With the bunker placed on the straw, the straw is pressed down, and the little ridge presses down into the lid creating a seal. Like magic, I can't spill anything (nor can I drink from the straw in this position).  Exciting.  I thought that, with my weak and sore hands, I wouldn't be able to click the straw bunker into the closed position. I was so happy to find that everything is big enough, and soft enough, that I can open and close this straw into leakproof position.

There likely will come a time that I won't be able to operate it. But for now, it is an amazing assistive tool that keeps my coffee icy all day.

The thick handle is easy for me to grip. And the paracord handle accessory (sold separately) is perfect for me.  When walking, I don't carry the tumbler by the handle. I loop the paracord handle over my wrist. I have a difficult time carrying any cups in my hand as others normally do. This paracord is such a relief.

A big perk is that these tumblers come in a variety of sizes. And they come in a variety of decorations/colors. There are some designs that are in stock and some designs that are new releases in limited quantities. 

Information from the Coldest Website

While there are a variety of different sizes on Coldest.com, I bought a 24 oz Limitless Bottle in The Persian color. The information for this style and size is:

• 24 oz
• 100% leakproof
• stainless steel; triple insulated
• rubber bottom
• includes 3 lids: coffee lid, chug lid, and sip lid with bunker
• Infuser included
• keeps cold liquids cold for at least 36 hours (keeps hot liquids hot for 13+ hours)
• Fits 99% of cupholders
• thick, easy-to-grip handle
• lifetime warranty (register on the website)
• hand wash with soap and water

Two Very Minor Cautions (that may apply just to me)

On the website, in addition to a variety of sizes and colors, there are older versions and new versions of these tumblers.  I advise that you read each tumbler page to ensure you order the item that you want. I felt there were so many choices that I was a bit confused at times. However, I'm easily confused. You probably will navigate the site easily. 

I do find that the chug lid is difficult for me to click open due to my very weak fingers. The sip/straw lid was the version I wanted and the other two lids are bonus. And I may use them around the house when I am not transporting my ice coffee. You may not have any difficulty with the chug lid button.

Visit Coldest.com to learn more and to see the many sizes and colors. 

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How to Remove Musty Mildewy Smell from Clothes

 

Last month our basement breaker tripped and we were unaware that we lost power to our two sump pumps.  As a result, the basement flooded.  Needless to say, it was a mess.  The water was 4" to 5" deep throughout, so anything that was not in plastic boxes or up on shelves was soaked.  Including all the flattened moving boxes I had saved for when we moved again.  I wanted to pull my hair out and cry!  As if we didn't have enough work to do in the spring, now this!

Some of our stuff was up off the floor, but there were many boxes of stuff that were not.  Some of my nicer dress clothes and shoes that I rarely wear, a few large boxes of clothes that were earmarked to be donated, as they were too large, and a box of spring/fall jackets that were stored down there because they were out of season. I also had a few nice throw rugs and more craft supplies than I ever remember having!  

On top of all that the smell was awful.  A musty, mildewy wet odor that smelled exactly like what it was: wet basement.  If you've ever smelled it, you would not forget it.  UGH!  The clothes were the worst.  The smell of those wet clothes was just gross!  So after sorting everything (it really is amazing when you go through basement stuff, you find things that you never knew you had or still had) I filled a giant plastic tote with clothes and took them upstairs to wash.  I figured washing them would take care of the smell and then I could just repack them for storage or donation.  After washing a couple loads, I took a sniff and EWWWWW!!  They still had that awful smell, somewhat reduced but definitely still there.  

I was at a loss as to what to do, so I decided to take a look online and see if I could find some help on getting rid of "wet basement smell" on clothes.  I looked at many articles, blogs even on Reddit.  There didn't seem to be any guaranteed way that everyone recommended.  I decided to make my own method and see if it would work.  I sent my husband to the store and told him to pick up Tide Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent and also some Downey Scent Beads, preferably a floral scent.

I put a load of laundry in, poured in 3/4 a cap of Tide and half a cap of scent beads.  I washed them in warm water. (don't wash in cold, the beads will not melt)  When I pulled them out of the washer, they smelled wonderful!  Many of the items I dried on hanger, but some I did dry and they came out of the dryer smelling even better!

It Worked!

Not only was the smell gone but any stains from the dirty water were also completely gone!  I was thrilled.  It was gentle on my dressy clothes but did a great job on both odor and stains, even on blue jeans.  It was win/win for this problem, for sure!

That's my story of how I defeated musty, mildewy smells on clothes from my basement flood.  Oh, one more thing, this combo even cleaned and deodorized my small throw rugs, so I didn't have to throw them away.  That made me very happy, as good throw rugs are expensive to replace!  

So if you ever have the misfortune of a flooded basement, you know what to buy to save much of your stuff!

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How Nature's Healing Relates To Our Own Healing - A Song Review

 

Life Read Me a Story: A Song About Storms, Healing, and the Wisdom of Nature

Some lyrics are written to entertain. Others are written to comfort people during difficult seasons of life. Life Read Me a Story was written from a reflective place. It is a song about emotional exhaustion, healing, resilience, and the idea that nature itself may hold lessons about how human beings survive hardship.

At the heart of the song is a simple but powerful question. What if life were easy all the time? What if there were no storms, no struggles, no heartbreak, and no challenges to overcome?

The song explores those questions through the voices of a husband and wife sitting together in their kitchen, emotionally drained and quietly wondering why life cannot simply feel peaceful. As the song unfolds, Mother Earth becomes the voice responding to them, gently explaining that growth and balance cannot exist without difficult seasons.

Verse One: Wanting Life to Feel Easy

The opening verse captures a feeling many people experience but rarely say out loud. The couple is tired. They are questioning why they always have to be strong. They wonder what it would feel like to wake up without pressure, fear, sadness, or emotional weight waiting outside their front door.

The lyrics imagine a life in which storms simply pass over them, and the sun shines continuously. They dream about a life untouched by hardship, where nothing interrupts their peace and nothing challenges who they are.

This part of the song is not about weakness. It is about emotional fatigue. Sometimes people do not want riches, excitement, or success. Sometimes they simply want relief.

The couple represents anyone who has ever asked themselves why life sometimes feels so heavy. If you can listen with headphones, I've structured pretty detail in the music.

The Chorus: Mother Nature Responds

The chorus shifts perspectives completely. Instead of the couple speaking, nature begins answering them.

Mother Earth responds with calm wisdom, explaining that all living things depend on balance. Rain serves a purpose. Storms strengthen roots. Clouds nourish rivers. Even flowers depend on darker days to grow.

One of the song's central messages is found in the line about the sun shining continuously. Although endless sunshine sounds beautiful, the song reminds us that constant heat would eventually destroy life rather than sustain it. Without rain, the Earth would dry out. Rivers would disappear. Growth would stop.

Nature survives because it adapts. Forests recover after fires. Trees continue growing after storms. Rivers overflow and eventually settle again. The chorus suggests that human beings are not separate from that process. Like nature, people are also capable of healing and restoring balance after difficult seasons.

The chorus is designed as a comforting response to the couple's pain. It does not dismiss their struggles. Instead, it gently reminds them that hardship does not always mean destruction. Sometimes it is part of becoming stronger.

Verse Two: Acknowledging That Pain Can Feel Too Heavy

In the second verse, the couple begins to understand the message, but they are still struggling emotionally. They admit that some storms feel overwhelming. They understand the idea of growth, but they also recognize that too much rain can leave roots tangled and unstable.

This is an important emotional moment in the song because it refuses to romanticize pain. The lyrics openly acknowledge that life can become exhausting and difficult to carry.

Mother Nature responds again, this time with empathy rather than explanation alone. The Earth itself has experienced destruction, imbalance, storms, and rebuilding. Yet despite everything, it continues finding ways to restore itself.

The message becomes deeply personal. If nature can recover after devastation, perhaps human beings can too.

The couple slowly begins shifting their perspective. Instead of only asking why hardship exists, they begin listening to what life may be trying to teach them through those experiences.

The Bridge: Accepting the Journey Without Pretending Pain Is Easy

The bridge brings the song's emotional meaning together.

By this point, the couple has not escaped life's difficulties. Their problems have not magically disappeared. What has changed is their understanding of struggle itself.

The lyrics acknowledge that struggle is not punishment, and stillness is not always peace. Without challenges, there would be nothing pushing people to grow, heal, evolve, or discover their own strength.

One of the most meaningful lines in the bridge says:

"I am the flower, I am the tree. I needed a weathered journey to discover what I can truly be."

That line represents the entire heart of the song. Human beings are part of nature, not separate from it. Just like trees, flowers, rivers, and forests, people are shaped by changing seasons. Some seasons feel beautiful. Others feel pain. Yet every season leaves behind lessons, strength, wisdom, and growth.

The final message of Life Read Me a Story is not that pain is enjoyable or easy. The message is that renewal remains possible, even after the darkest storms.

The Meaning Behind the Song

What inspired this piece was the realization that nature constantly demonstrates resilience. Storms pass through forests. Trees fall. Rivers flood. Yet somehow, the Earth continues to search for balance and renewal.

There is something comforting in that idea.

Not because it minimizes human pain, but because it reminds us that healing is woven into the rhythm of life itself.

Life Read Me a Story was written to acknowledge life's complications honestly while still offering hope. The song recognizes that people will face storms they never asked for. However, it also reminds us that growth often happens beneath the surface long before we can see it.

Sometimes the rain is not the end of the story. Sometimes it is what teaches the roots how to grow deeper.

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Wireless Caregiver Pager Reviewed

Whether or not you are a Caregiver long-term for someone with a chronic or ongoing medical condition, or simply helping a family member through the recovery phase of an illness or broken bone, a Caregiver Pager is helpful to both Caregiver and Patient.

Wireless Caregiver Pager by CallTou

Ideal for the elderly or seniors, or anyone who is disabled or bedridden temporarily or long-term, a Call Button allows help to be available at the touch of a button.  

This Wireless Caregiver Pager by CallTou is listed on Amazon as #1 in Pagers. It has several very handy and helpful features:

Caregiver Pager Pluses

• It is easy to carry. The receiver can be moved with the caregiver. It has a working range of 500 feet, allowing it to be taken from room to room. Simply plug the receiver into an outlet in whatever room you need it to be. You can have the receiver in the living room or kitchen during the day and take it to your bedroom at night, guaranteeing being able to hear it if your ‘patient’ or senior resident of your home needs help. 
• The call button can be hung around the neck of the person who needs it by a neck strap (included) like a pendant, or secured with a bracket or double sticker.
• Easy to use (plug and play)
• It has Smart Ringtones with 55 ringing tones to choose from, along with 5 level adjustable volumes. 
• Both call button and receiver are waterproof and dustproof.
• Battery-operated (batteries come included)
• There is an included user manual, plus the product offers 24 hours customer service.

This SmartCall System is available as a single button, if the patient/person is in one room primarily (or to wear around the neck), or as two buttons for use in additional areas. In my home, there is one in the patient’s bedroom and one in the bathroom, in case aid is needed in either area night or day. 

Being able to wear a caregiver pager around your neck is particularly helpful if the patient were to have a fall and couldn’t call out loud enough to be heard. 

Whether you or a loved one is a patient or simply elderly and wanting to live as independently as possible, this Caregiver Pager becomes a very handy tool for providing reassurance of help if needed. 

Summary

Customers give it high marks, saying it is the best they have found short of having one that connects to emergency services. Absolutely perfect for home use ~ for dependability, reliability, and peace of mind for both caregiver and patient. My family and I have found this to be true. 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor—just someone who has personally experienced this and found it very helpful. If you have any medical questions about this product, please consult your health care provider.

*Review of the CallTou Wireless Caregiver Pager was written by Wednesday Elf

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Great Lakes Awareness Day Review

Great Lakes Awareness Day is celebrated on the Monday of the first full week in May—May 4th in 2026—to honor and protect the five massive, interconnected freshwater lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario). It focuses on water conservation, ecosystem health, and raising awareness about environmental threats like pollution and invasive species. 

Having lived on one the the Great Lakes (Lake Ontario in New York State), and remembering how pollution was an issue in the 1950s, this Awareness Day really ‘speaks’ to me. 

To briefly review, there are five (5) Great Lakes. The best way to remember the names is by the acronym HOMES.

1. H - Huron
2. O - Ontario
3. M - Michigan
4. E - Erie
5. S - Superior

Why Are These Lakes Called GREAT Lakes?

The difference between regular lakes and the Great Lakes is basically their immense size in area and volume of water, which together contain 21% of the world’s surface freshwater. They are like massive ‘inland’ seas and, as such, react to weather and other phenomena similar to the world’s oceans. 

The Five Great Lakes

*Lake Huron

Lake Huron shares borders with the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. State of Michigan. It has the longest shoreline (3,827 miles) of all the Great Lakes and boasts over 30,000 islands, including the popular tourist location Mackinac Island. It connects with Lake Erie by way of the St. Clair River.

*Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is the Great Lake I am most familiar with, having grown up nearby and enjoyed many summers filled with swimming and shoretime activities (frozen custard stand, picnic areas and camping along the St. Lawrence Seaway.

This lake is known as the most eastern of the Great Lakes. It is also the deepest, and the smallest (by surface area) and acts as a crucial shipping link via the St. Lawrence River.  Lake Ontario is also well known for its abundant trout and salmon fishing and for the popular 1,000 Islands on the Ontario, Canada side of the lake located along the St. Lawrence Seaway as it exits Lake Ontario. 

*Lake Michigan

It is the only Great Lake that is fully in the United States, not sharing borders with Canada as the other four lakes do. Ports along its shoreline include Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. 

Lake Michigan is known for its many beaches; in fact, it is sometimes refered to as the 'third coast' (after the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. The soft, off-white sand of these beaches are known as "singing sands'', when you walk on it, which is caused by the high quartz content. It also has the largest freshwater sand dune system in the world!

*Lake Erie

It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes. It also copes with significant pollution, causing toxic algae. At times it has been referred to as the 'dead' lake.  The Clean Water Act of 1972 and stricter regulations have brought about a great deal of improvement in the quality of the lake water. 

*Lake Superior

This is the largest freshwater lake in the world (by surface area), and the third largest by volume. 

Lake Superior is fed by more than 200 rivers. There is a steep gradient (25 feet) with rapids between Superior's outlet at the St. Marys River and Lake Huron. Therefore, ships bypass the rapids and the height problem by using the Soo Locks (an interesting story in its own right).

Other Ways to Explore and Enjoy the Five Great Lakes 

• National Museum of the Great Lakes 

There is a museum dedicated to the continuing history of the Great Lakes located on the Maumee River which flows into Lake Erie just outside of Toledo, Ohio. It is definitely a museum well worth visiting for anyone interested in the fascinating stories involving the Great Lakes. 

• Great Lakes Tours

There are Great Lakes Tours, which two of my friends have taken in the  past couple years and found to be a fascinating experience.  These tours range from 8 to 15 days and include many and diverse packages to choose from. There are tours which include all five lakes and Niagara Falls, tours for Seniors, Guided-Group Cruises, and Self-Guided Tours. These scenic small-ship cruises also can include Viking Cruises, and Fall Foliage Tours. Click here to explore tours which may interest you.

• Lake Effect Weather

One last mention of things related to the Great Lakes, which anyone who has ever lived on or near one definitely has experienced, is the amazing effect weather has on nearby communities. No such city is better known than Buffalo, NY, located at the eastern end of Lake Erie where it flows into the Niagara River. These winter storms, known as Lake Effect Storms, have hit Buffalo with snowfalls measured in FEET instead of inches. 

Summary

So, set aside the beginning of May to celebrate Great Lakes Awareness Day by enjoying reading about or experiencing in person one or more of the five Great Lakes. It is a crucial, industrial inland waterway connecting Canada and the U.S., plus the sites of many fascinating places to visit or tour.

*This review of the five Great Lakes and their Awareness Day holiday was written by Wednesday Elf.

*Images in this review are courtesy of Pixabay

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Dear 1975 – A Look Back Through the Years We’ll Never Forget

I sat down to write the lyrics and the song Dear 1975 as a tribute to us, to the older generation who lived through those times, and to the memories we carry. 

When we look back, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we didn’t know how good we had it. But the truth be told, I did know. I was fifteen years old, safe and secure in my parents’ home, in the same room in the house my brother now owns. 

I can still go back there if I want, but it’s never the same without my parents. Even so, I’m so grateful that my brother has the home.

1975 represents something bigger for us seniors. The world is moving so fast now, and it’s easy to look back through rose-colored glasses, but I think most of us who lived happy, healthy lives in the ‘70s will agree the decade was simply wonderful.

Life, The Music, and The Freedom in 1975

The culture in 1975 was amazing. 

The music was unbeatable. The sitcoms, the variety shows, the freedom. It’s funny to even use the word freedom to describe it, but that’s exactly what it felt like. 

On social media, so many of my peers who grew up in the ‘70s often reminisce about how free we were, and it’s true. I remember being on my bike from morning until night, riding to friends’ houses, calling my mom to say I wouldn’t be home for dinner because I was eating at Linda’s. Even when she moved across town, we biked there too, then on to the park, then to school, meeting our friends along the way. 

There were no cell phones, and our parents were okay with it. We were just on the move, living and breathing that kind of independence that seems almost impossible to imagine today.

Here's the lyric song video tribute I wrote for us who are of the generation of 1975:

Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

And then, of course, there was the nightly reminder on TV: Do you know where your kids are? I think back to that now, and I can’t help but laugh. 

Ten o’clock at night, flashing across the screen were the words and commentary, "Do you know where your kids are?" I was always home by then, thinking, who actually loses track of their kids? But it was the ‘70s, and we had that notice, that little nudge from the world, as if to remind parents that yes, the kids were out exploring the world, and yes, that was okay, but time to come home!

Thinking About Mom and Dad in the 1970s

Some of my most vivid memories involve Mom and me watching movies together, or Dad coming home from long work trips. His briefcase would be filled with coins, which my brother and I would happily dump on the floor and divvy up. 

Dad would be sprawled on the floor in the living room with the eight-track playing country songs, the kind that I can still almost hear in my mind. 

Our vehicles had eight-track cassette tapes, and I begged for my first tape recorder for Christmas just so I could hear my own voice, and promptly discovered I didn’t like it. 

Our house was always full of people. Neighbors dropping in, friends hanging out, the laughter and chatter filling every corner. That, to me, was the ‘70s. Family, friends, security, and an unspoken understanding that life, in those moments, was exactly as it should be.

Writing Dear 1975 was my way of capturing that warmth, that freedom, and that sense of rootedness we sometimes forget to appreciate when we’re young. 

It’s a reminder of the simplicity we sometimes take for granted, the moments that feel small at the time but last a lifetime. It’s a diary entry to my younger self, and to anyone who remembers 1975 the way I do: full of music, laughter, love, and the kind of freedom that can only come from feeling safe in the world.

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National Puppy Day Reviewed - March 23

I don't review national holidays very often.  I normally leave those special day reviews to Wednesday Elf, who loves celebrating individual days set aside for unique events.  However, when I noted that March 23 is National Puppy Day, I could not resist!  After all, we brought home a sweet puppy a few months ago and discovered the true meaning of unconditional love once again.

Watson, our baby dog, loves everyone in the household.  He doesn't know how to withhold affection.  Even when he teethes on our hands or wrists, he does so lovingly.  Of course, we immediately seek out a nonliving object for him to transfer that particular show of love.  He really can't help it.  He is a teething baby and those little bites are just a big part of his puppy day and play.  Almost daily, someone in our home will remark that one day we will miss the teething terror.

Our baby Watson loves company in the backyard.  He runs, and jumps, leaps and runs some more.  His favorite games are fetching the balls his daddy tosses for him and chasing the birds.  He has never harmed a bird, he just likes making them fly.  

 

Fun Times with a Puppy 

The buffalo was a Christmas gift from his 
sister & brother-in-law in Buffalo, NY

There is nothing more beautiful than opening the back door and watching Watson run as fast as the wind toward his daddy.  Our baby dog doesn't realize that at 5 months old, his is no longer the 15 lb baby we brought home.  Actually, neither Watson, nor his daddy, realize that he weighs almost 70 lbs now.  I don't know the exact calculation (since I have never gauged his running speed), but I do know 70 lbs flying straight at you has increased force when it hits.  Definitely enough to knock an unprepared recipient to the ground.  Fortunately, his daddy is always prepared for his greetings of love.

It really doesn't matter how long one of us is away, whether it is 5 minutes or 5 hours, Watson is there with a welcoming jump, lick, nip, and game-time call.  If he could speak, I have no doubt his favorite words would be "play ball!"  

Dinnertime is also a great joy for Watson.  That baby loves to eat!  He is the perfect addition to our household.  We all love to eat and we all enjoy giving him treats.  

We chose to adopt a Labrador Retriever because we have had such great success with them in the past.  The are almost completely housebroken by the time they are weaned from their mothers.  Wetting accidents are extremely rare for Labs.  Those accidents can be attributed to the humans slow response time because the puppy lets you know the minute he needs out.  Too bad if you need time to dress before you throw open your back door.  

The key to having a happy puppy, even a very active Labrador Retriever, is to be active and loving yourself.  Any puppy of any breed requires patience and love, but they are always worth it!

Remember, puppy = baby.  They are learning at that stage, but they will grow up to be a fabulous companion.

 

Celebrate National Puppy Day on March 23!

The end of March is the perfect time to adopt a puppy.  You have the entire spring, summer, and fall ahead to work with them outdoors.  By the following winter, you and your puppy will be almost fully trained to behave properly. 

 

The picture in the introduction is a picture of Watson when he was 11 weeks old.  This is his picture at 5 months old.  What a difference a few months makes!  In our opinion, he is still the most adorable, lovable puppy ever!

 

Happy National Puppy Day, Baby Dog! 

 

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Missouri Botanical Gardens in the Winter

 

Explore Missouri Botanical Gardens

In St. Louis we have a beautiful botanical garden that has been in continuous operation since 1859.  It was founded by Henry Shaw and is one of the few gardens to achieve National Historic Landmark status.  I have spent many hours visiting the garden during the spring, summer, and fall times, but until this year, I had not visited it in the winter.  What a delightful experience!  In February my son and his family were visiting us from New Hampshire, and I took my daughter-in-law and two granddaughters to visit the gardens.  We had a wonderful time.  

Orchid Show

I had often seen photos of the annual orchid show but had never been to the garden to see it.  This show is held in February when the more than 5000 individual plants are moved from the greenhouses to the Emerson Conservatory.  The botanical garden has over 700 unique kinds of orchids, which are cared for year-round by the horticulture staff.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from the orchid show.

Growing Orchids at Home

In the brochure we received at the orchid show there is a section that talks about how easy orchids are to grow at home under the right conditions.  Here some key points.

• Potting medium  - many orchids grow best when their roots are exposed to the air.  There are mixes for the pot that help with this aeration.
• Temperature- most orchids are comfortable at room temperature- 60-80 F 
• Humidity- 40-70% is ideal, this can be achieved by placing pots on a gravel-lined try filled with water.
• Light- Orchids like a sunny room or artificial lights.  If leaves turn yellow or lanky they need more light.
• Water- Make sure potting mix nearly dries out before watering again.

I found this book on Amazon that helps you in growing orchids.

No Stress Orchid Gardening for Beginners

Chinese Garden

It was a beautiful day out, so after visiting the orchid show I took my granddaughters and daughter-in-law to some of my favorite spots in the garden.  There were not any flowers blooming at this time of the year but the beauty of the sculptures and structures around the park made for a delightful visit.

Our first stop was at the Chinese Garden, this garden was designed by Chinese born architect Yong Pan.  It is modeled after "scholars gardens" in the southern provinces of China.  

Here are some of the photos I took of my granddaughters exploring the garden.

Japanese Garden

A favorite place of mine to explore at the gardens is the Japanese Garden.  I wanted to show this to my granddaughters, so we took a stroll to the garden and walked around the lake to experience all of the sculptures and features of the Japanese Garden.  This 14-acre garden is called Seiw-en and was dedicated in 1977.  I have photographed it often through the years. Here are some of my photos.

The Garden through the Years

I have taken photography classes at the garden and have enjoyed my visits through the years.  Here are some other reviews I have written on the garden.

Japanese Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden

Origami in the Garden

Garden Photography Tips

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Reviewing the Huogantom Magnetic Cell Phone Tripod

"You have to order this" my friend said to me, sending the link to a little gadget. I hadn't thought I needed a handheld phone tripod but he was insistent that I order it. My friend was right, this cell phone tripod is super handy and has been helpful in so many ways; hands-free video chatting, recording videos from different angles, and reading or watching a variety of things. I have used this handy cellphone tripod on a daily basis. 

Huogantom Magnetic Phone Tripod

The link my friend had sent to me was for the Huogantom phone tripod. In internet searches, there are many small cell phone tripods available. This particular design is perfect for me.

• Strong magnetic attachment
• sturdy aluminum alloy
• versatile - desktop stand, handheld
• easy vertical or horizontal orientation
• carabiner clip design
• Hands-free recording
• easy positioning perfect for video chats, watching movies, and/or reading that online recipe.
• The sturdy frame is cleverly spaced so that the tripod legs fold and store flat into the frame. the time of this writing, this tripod is rated at 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon

At the time of this writing, this tripod is rated at 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

My Personal Thoughts.  

I hadn't been looking at additional tripods since I have a tabletop phone holder that I've liked very much. With the table top cell phone holder, it is easy to film downward angles, it is very sturdy, and it is adjustable in height. It is not easily portable but even so, I wasn't in the market for another tripod. 

The carabiner type clip has been awesome in helping to keep track of the tripod during outings. I have clipped it to my yarn bag straps so that I don't have to rummage around in the bottom of my bag to find the tripod. 

With this very small phone tripod (small enough to fit into my jacket pocket) I really like the magnetic attachment. It is much easier to use than the other clip designs on other phone stands, including my tabletop stand and stands I've borrowed from my friend. While the sturdy clips on those other stands ensure the phone will not fall out, I have a great deal of difficulty clipping the phone in and releasing it. Some of those spring clips are so firm that it hurts my hands and is very frustrating.

The magnetic attachment on my Huogotom tripod is so strong that the magnets click together when I'm moving the phone close to the stand. While I would not hold my phone above water, while running/hiking, or any jarring activities where my phone might bounce loose and become damaged. As a countertop tripod, that magnetic attachment is plenty strong enough. And I don't have to struggle to disengage my phone from the stand.

I have found that this small tripod also seems to be decreasing the amount of times I drop my phone around the house. Like those little Pop Sockets that increase a person's grip on their phone, this tripod increases my grip on my phone. I am developing significant grip issues and this tripod assists me by giving me more than my phone to hold on to. 

Only One Minor Complaint. I ended up purchasing a different magnet sticker for my phone. Possibly because I have an Android phone and a protective case, rather than an iPhone, I used the circular magnet sticker that was included with the tripod. That magnet portion of the sticker was very strong. The adhesive portion of the sticker was not as strong and failed soon after I began using the tripod. I will admit that I am clumsy, and the failure of the adhesive may have been "operator error". It was easy enough to remedy. I purchased flat magnetic strips and what was described as "strong adhesive". 

Related Links:

For better information and other reviews, check out the Huogantom Magnetic Phone Tripod on Amazon. 

For a better understanding of Pop Sockets, take a peek at the Pop Socket store on Amazon. 

The table top, Overhead Phone Mount stand I purchased is awesome. I love the down-views it provides so I can share videos of my crochet projects in progress. It is also very helpful for video chats and selfies.  The drawback is that it is sturdy and not suitable for throwing into a bag or taking on outdoor adventures.

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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