The Life I Built From Broken Things - A Song Review

 

When You're Done Trying to Put Your Name in the Sand

Have you ever had one of those days, or years, where it felt like you were trying to write your name in the sand while the tide was coming in at full speed? 

You keep smoothing it out, trying to make it stay, but the water just wipes it away again and again.

Although I'm a positive person, I do feel this way at times. I spent a long time thinking that if I could keep everything neat and predictable, I was winning. Not anymore. Life has a way of showing us that some things are out of our control. 

I poured these thoughts into a new song called "The Life I Built From Broken Things". It has become my own little anthem, and I wanted to share it with you because we all need the reminder that we are tougher than we give ourselves credit for.

Building Something Real When You Are in a Crunch

When things fall apart, our first instinct is often to worry. We look at the mess and think, "Well, that is it. I am done." I have been there. You look at your life and see the broken floorboards and the leaks, and you feel like the whole thing is coming down.

But we don't have to fix the whole house in a single day. Recovery is often quiet and slow. It is just one band-aid at a time, as I wrote in the song. It's deciding that even though the floor has holes in it, we will still sweep up the sand. There's something beautiful about building a life out of our broken things. 

It means the foundation is not just some perfect, sterile thing. It is made of experience. It is made of the times we fell down and got back up anyway.

Why a Little Stubbornness Is Actually a Good Thing

If anyone tells you that you are being too stubborn, take it as a compliment. There is a specific kind of stubbornness that I think is a superpower. It is that quiet, deep-down refusal to let the storm win.

In my song, I wrote, "I'm just too stubborn to know how to fail." People might look at your life and see the rain or the struggle. But they don't see the work you are doing when you hide your wings. They can't see the way you are reinforcing the walls in the dark, preparing for the moment you're ready to fly again.

I've learned that the one thing nobody can take away from me is me.

You're the only person who can decide when you're done. If you haven't decided you're done, then you're not failing. You're still in the middle of the project.

We Don't Have to Be Perfect to Be Strong

It is perfectly okay to have weak days. We're human. It's going to happen. We don't have to be a superhero every single day. It's okay to be tired or frustrated. It's only part of your story, not the whole story.

I believe that every tiny, incremental inch we move forward counts. Even if it is just one nail you hammer in, it's progress. The life you are building might look different than the one you started with, but it is yours. 

Thanks for letting me share this with you. I hope that if you are going through a storm right now, these words give you a little bit of shelter. You've got this.

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

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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)**

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Ororo Lightweight Heated Vest Review

It's summer and so of course it makes perfect sense for a Ororo Heated Vest review! This is the time to pick up great deals on winter clothing and I will be looking for my favorite purchase of last year on the summer sales.

It was an extremely long and cold winter in the northern United States, but then again, summer is very very short as well, so this is a vest which will bode you well through most of the year. The Ororo heated vest exceeded my expectations with every feature.

Heat Levels

Three heat levels easily controlled by a toggle button on the outside of the vest. The button turns colors for each heat level of red, white, blue. I found warming the vest on the high setting before putting the vest on would then allow a lower setting while wearing the vest. 

Weight

I was pleasantly surprised as to how light the vest is with the battery. A few years back I had tried a heated vest and the battery was so heavy all I could feel was the battery literally weighing one side of the vest down. The overall weight of the vest is similar to a higher end quilted down vest, but streamlined. 

Battery

The rectangle battery pack is installed in the rear of the vest on the bottom about right behind the hip. I honestly forgot the battery existed the majority of the time. The battery felt heavier when charging, but not installed in the vest. I did invest, when on sale, for a second battery just for ease when it became apparent this vest was going to be a winter fall staple in the wardrobe. 

Colors

The Ororo vest is available in a variety of colors, mostly the staple colors of vests. The usual black, blue, grey, cream and a pretty cobalt blue would be the brighter option.

Price

I recommend purchasing on sale! Whether it be a summer sale, or Black Friday sale or holiday sale as the vest is not inexpensive. I've also seen flash sales online for the holidays with a nice savings available.

Where To Purchase

Search Ororo Heated Lightweight Vest for online options to purchase. 

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How to Grill Better

 

Prime grilling season is here!  Time to get out that grill, wash it off, check the gas tank and get out those utensils. Make sure you have lots of aluminum foil, barbecue sauce, meat and vegetables because it's grilling time!

Are you worried because your grill skills are rather lackluster?  Do your friends bring tacos to your barbecue?  if so, here are some tips to help you on your way to becoming the perfect Grill Master!

Make sure to preheat the grill - You cannot get a good sear if you put your food down on a cold grill.  The food could stick and rip to pieces when you try to turn it, and it can make meat or chicken taste different.  (not in a good way)  You should turn your grill on at least 10 minutes before starting to cook.

Make sure to use the right temperature - for what you are cooking.  You can use positioning of the items to help with this. For chicken and thicker cuts of meat and fish, medium or medium-low heat works well for most cuts because the center needs time to cook through before the exterior burns. For hot dogs, sausages, and brats is also ideal to allow the links to cook evenly before finishing them over high heat to crisp up the casing. 

Use Cooking Zones - a common mistake in grilling is to set the whole grill on the same temperature.  It is so much easier to cook different things at once if you have high heat on one side, low heat on the other side and leave the middle off completely for indirect cooking or warming.  Use each zone for what you are trying to accomplish on each item at the proper time.

To add hickory flavor on a gas grill- soak hickory wood chips in water for 30 minutes and wrap in double aluminum foil and seal, then poke holes in it with a toothpick.  Lay this packet on top of your gas grill's burner to get delicious flavor.

Use an aluminum can to hold your barbecue sauce - you don't want to save leftover sauce since it has been contaminated with your grill brush covered in raw juices, so just use a tin can and toss it when you are done!

Use a variety of sauces - BBQ sauce is not the only sauce that is great for grilling.  Teriyaki or Hoisin sauce is also tasty, as is honey mustard.  Red hot sauce is perfect for making hot wings!

Easy way to grill for vegetarians or veggie lovers - Make "veggie packs" and grill them before your guests arrive, then leave them on the outer edges of the grill to stay warm. To make them, simply put peppers, onions, zucchini, potatoes or any other veggies you have on hand, in tin foil with garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of salt, and seal.  Grill for 15 or 20 minutes.

The secret to grilling fish - seal each piece in an individual foil envelope, than way it is easy to cook and you don't have to worry about it falling apart.  It also helps keep the fish moist, and you can add a lemon slice and seasonings for flavor.

How to avoid dry grilled food - you can avoid problem by using a marinade.  One of my favorites is Italian salad dressing.  It is wonderful on any kind of meat or seafood.  It also makes grilled vegetables more tasty. You can also make marinade from store bought packets or internet recipes.

Don't over flip - don't constantly flip your meat because you are bored or impatient.  It will cook even more slowly if turned over excessively.

Forget the smash - Do not smash food items on your grill!  All this will do is push out the juices and make them dry inside.

Grill some fruit Put sheets of aluminum foil on your grill and brush pieces of pineapple, apple, melon and cantaloupe with honey. Grill on both sides and serve warm.

When grilling shish kebobs - cut your meat and vegetable pieces bigger and use two skewers per kebob.  Your pieces will be much less likely to fall off or spin on the skewer so one half is always toward the fire.  Don't forget to soak wood skewers in water before use so they won't burn on the grill.

Avoid Overcooking -  Once an item is removed from the grill, it continues to cook from the heat inside.  To avoid overcooking, you should remove your food from the grill 5 to 10 minutes before it is fully done.

To keep food items that you grill warm - use two small 6 pack coolers, one for meat and one for vegetables to keep extra them warm and away from insects.

One of my favorite items I use in grilling is my BBQ Grill Basket.  It saves time because it flips more than one item at a time and it also keeps items from falling apart, like hamburgers, or fish fillets.  My favorite thing to cook in it is vegetables.  I just slice up our favorite vegetables, season and brush with Italian dressing and place them in the basket, close it and place on the grill.  I usually only flip it once after 10 minutes and it another 10, you are ready to serve.  (Potatoes may take longer) It is the perfect side to steak, pork chops and burgers!  I bought mine at Amazon and when I bought it the price was only $15 and it came with a silicone brush!  I highly recommend it!

UNCO- BBQ Grill Basket

I hope these tips help to elevate your grilling talents.  Your friends and family will love the results, I promise!

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Insulated Bags to Keep Cold Groceries Cold and Carry Out Food Warm

I absolutely hate going to get fast food or pick up from a restaurant only to arrive home and the food be cold.  We recently ordered pizza delivery and the pizza was "right out of the oven" hot.  That is how all carry out food should arrive!  

I considered the bags pizza deliverers use and set out to find an insulated bag for our pickup orders.  I found a 2 pack set of heavy duty insulated bags with a zipper top.  The shape of the bags is perfect for a large carry out bag of food or 2 medium size bags.  Just set the bags or containers in the insulated bag, zip the top and head home.

The first time we tried them, we brought home burgers and fries.  I folder over the top of the restaurant bag and set it all down in the insulted bag.  When we got home, the food was still warm.  What a great change!  

One other unexpected benefit of using the insulated bag is that the food didn't fall over and spill out when set in the floor of the car.

I haven't tried the bags yet for cold products, but I have confidence they will be equally as wonderful.  I will be very happy to bring home unmelted frozen food, especially ice cream products, during the summer months.  It will also be nice to get our cold milk and orange juice home at a cooler state than room temperature. 

The next time we go to a pot luck dinner, I will definitely be using the bags to transport the food we are taking regardless of whether it is hot or cold.  With 2 bags, we can have one hot bag and one cold bag if needed.  To be clear, you can't mix hot food with cold food in the same bag, but I bet you already knew that! 

 

2 Pack Insulated Bags 

 BALEINE 2Pk Insulated Reusable Heavy Duty Large Insulated Bags, Collapsible for Storage (16''x9''x13'')Check PriceThese are the insulated bags I purchased.  Not only do they keep carry-out food warm, but they fold down nicely for storage. I could even leave them folded down and stored in my car for easy access when needed

Other reviewers have stated that they are perfect for keeping groceries cold too, but I have not had the opportunity to try that yet.  

Each bag is 16" tall, 13" wide, and 9" deep.  

To clean, simply wipe them with a damp cloth. 

I bought the 2 pack, but they are also available as a single bag or a 4 pack. 

I opted for black, but they are also available in other colors and designs. 

 BALEINE 2Pk Insulated Reusable Heavy Duty Large Insulated Bags, Collapsible for Storage (16''x9''x13'')Check Price

 

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Insulated Bags to Keep Cold Groceries Cold and Carry Out Food Warm written by:

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Sunflower Hill Farm

Beautiful Sunflower Silos


In this post I will be reviewing my visit to Sunflower Hill Farm and the beautiful silos painted in sunflowers that are nearby.                   

Sunflower Hill Farm

My cousin and I were looking for a good place to meet for lunch on a sunny afternoon in May.  I mentioned I wanted to photograph the painted sunflower silos in the wine country near us and she suggested a nearby cafe at Sunflower Hill Farms.  It was an excellent choice.  Our food was great and the whole place was a great relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

We ate on the patio and and I enjoyed a delicious veggie grilled cheese, it consisted of provolone and cheddar cheese along with mushrooms, peppers, spinach and onions, all grilled on sourdough bread.  Yummy.

Sunflower Hill Farm is a wonderful event space too. The farm is located on 130 acres.  Along with the cafe there is a shop  with homemade items on sale.  There is also a nursery on the property and a large event space.  The farm has become a delightful wedding and event space.  As you can see in the photo below, the event area sits up on the hill overlooking the Missouri river valley.  

Sunflower Hill Farms is located at 245 Terry Road in Augusta, Missouri.  On their website www.sunflowerhillfarm.com they have listed lots of information about their events, calendar, and a menu from the cafe.  If you are in the area, I would highly recommend this venue.  Here are a few of my photos.

Painted Silos

These beautiful silos were commissioned by the owners of the Sunflower Hill Farm.  They are located near the Katy  Trail just south of the entrance to the farm. It is at mile marker 661.6 on the Katy Trail. They were  painted by artist Anne Molasky and her painting partner Kim Alsop and were finished in the fall of 2023.

These vibrant sunflower paintings are a nice stop for people along the Katy Trail.  There is also acess to them off of Hwy 94 halfway between Defiance and Augusta deep in the heart of Missouri Wine Country.  

I stopped to visit and take photographs of these beautiful works of art just before I visited Sunflower Hill Farms.  They are quite amazing to look at from all different angles. I would have loved to see them as they were being painted.  Very talented artists!

 Zazzle Products

Here is a link to a greeting card made from my sunflower silos photograph.

Sunflower Silo Greeting Card

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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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