If you're an average adult. The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average
sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example,
a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume
60 grams of protein per day.
The Healthiest Protein Options Include:
Egg Whites
Fish and seafood
Lean meats (skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey)
Low-fat dairy
Soy, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, you should always try to meet
your daily requirements with these whole foods instead of
supplements.
After checking with my doctor and getting his okay to use a protein
supplement, we found Premier Protein Drink at our local grocery
store.
Premier Protein drinks come in a variety of flavors like Chocolate,
Vanilla, Caramel, Cookies & Cream, and other limited edition
flavors. Each bottle is compact, easy to carry, and requires no
refrigeration until it is opened.
Here are the Nutritional Stats:
30g of protein per serving
Only 160 calories
Just 1g of sugar
Low fat
Includes 24 vitamins and minerals
I don't use these to replace a meal, I drink 3 or 4 per week after a light
lunch.
If you want to use a protein supplement, the Mayo Clinic recommends:
2 grams or less of saturated fat
5 grams of sugar or less
200 or fewer calories
No trans fat or partially hydrogenated oils
The Premier Protein Drinks checks all of the above boxes.
Unlike other protein drinks that can taste chalky or artificial, I like the smooth and creamy taste of Premier Protein. I have tried several different flavors, but I always go back to my favorite, chocolate.
Always check with your doctor before using a protein supplement to ensure it's right for you.
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.”
Love our local library for offering the Paint Pouring class! What a great activity for kids and adults for summer break (outside recommended!) The free class was full at an enrollment of 60 and a long waiting list. I can now see why!
What Is Paint Pouring?
Creating a painting using a fluid medium such as acrylic paint to create a design which is flowing and/or abstract and/or random. And there in is why it was such fun! Sixty participants equaled paintings which were undeniably unique with the only shared items amongst the painters were the paint colors and the stretched canvas. Acrylic paint is well suited as the consistency allows easy manipulation of the paint on the canvas. Watercolor and oil paint are not as forgiving.
Materials
We were provided a 5" by 7" stretched white canvas, choice of seven acrylic colors, four push pins and popsicle sticks. The push pins were inserted on the bottom of the stretched canvas in each corner to lift the canvas. The canvas could then be easily gripped or tilted once the paint was applied.
The paint is poured in any order or on any part of the canvas. Anything goes!
The popsicle sticks were used as paint spreaders. For my final design decision after a few wavers and wiggles I used the popsicle stick as a paint spreader for the background. The paint was applied then spread for coverage of the background. Acrylic dries superficially very quickly and then I added a few abstract stripes and dots which stayed on top of the background.
We were also provided an empty box to help transport the painting home to dry for 24-48 hours. As the workshop leaders learned after workshop number one at which a pouring rain greeted the painters as they ran for their cars with a freshly painted canvas. The box was great to safely transport the painting home and then to let the paint safely dry.
Summer Activity
Highly recommend paint pouring especially for those looking for a summer craft for their kids or grandkids. Also recommend paint pouring outside or in a craft room as the paint can wander.
Acrylic paint can be removed with soap and water, but the paint does unintentionally travel. We all enjoyed walking around the room to see what the workshop participants created and the variety was incredible. Variety of design, color, abstract to realist and all painted in an hour.
Amazing what participants could create in an hour with seven acrylic colors.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Is My YouTube Channel Growing or Am I Just Going Through the Motions? What I Found Out
Like many content creators who have committed serious time and effort to YouTube, I reached a point where I had to ask myself: Is this going anywhere? Am I building something, or am I just talking into the void?
After uploading hundreds of riddle niche videos and slowly gaining subscribers, I started wondering whether my pace was "normal" or a sign that maybe YouTube just wasn't going to work out for me.
So, I did what many creators do when they feel stuck: I started researching.
What I found was a mix of relief, validation, and renewed motivation.
If you're in the same boat, asking the same questions, here's what I've learned from digging into YouTube growth patterns, expert opinions, and honest feedback from others in similar situations.
Why I Started—and How My Goals Changed
Initially, my motivation for creating a YouTube channel was straightforward: I needed a platform to host short riddle videos that I could easily embed on individual pages of my website, StumpedRiddles.com.
Initially, YouTube was just a functional tool—not a platform I had planned to grow.
But as I kept uploading and people started interacting—leaving comments, liking videos, even subscribing—I realized YouTube could be more than a support feature. It could actually become its own avenue for discovery, branding, and connection.
That's when I started treating my channel as a long-term creative project.
Here's a Typical Riddle Creation For Both YouTube and My Website:
So… Is My Growth Normal?
At the time I asked myself this, I had uploaded over 400 videos, built several themed playlists, and reached 155 subscribers—with a 90.9% like ratio on my videos. Naturally, I wondered: Is this respectable? Should I be further along by now?
What I experienced isn't unusual at all. Here's what I found:
1. Niche Channels Grow Slower—but Stronger
One of the first takeaways that jumped out during my research is that niche content takes longer to grow.
Whether you're posting riddles like I am, or offering tutorials, educational content, or deep-dive commentary, your audience is smaller by default, but often more engaged.
Unlike general entertainment or viral content, niche creators often build deeper connections with their audiences over time.
The slower pace doesn't mean failure—it means focus.
2. Most Successful Channels Take 3–5 Years to Build
This one surprised me. I found multiple sources and creator testimonials suggesting that it can take three to five years for a YouTube channel to gain significant traction—especially without shortcuts like trending content, reaction videos, or influencer collaborations.
In hindsight, this made me feel a lot better. What I thought was "slow progress" was actually typical progress.
Understanding that YouTube is a long game, not a sprint, shifted my mindset and helped me let go of some unrealistic expectations.
3. Consistency Builds More Than Numbers
I used to wonder whether uploading hundreds of videos with modest views was overkill. But here's what I learned: each video adds to your footprint. On YouTube, volume matters—but only if the content is consistent and aligned with your niche.
Evergreen videos, such as riddles or how-to guides, can attract new viewers long after they're uploaded.
Some of my earlier videos continue to attract attention months after they are posted. I realized that every upload isn't just a performance—it's a deposit into your future visibility.
4. Playlists Aren't Just for Organization—They're Strategy
I'd built playlists on my channel mostly to keep things tidy—organizing riddles by themes like health, holidays, and emotions.
However, what I didn't realize until I delved into the research is that playlists actually aid YouTube's algorithm.
They signal consistency and intent, guide the viewer's experience, and can improve watch time.
Creating a series called The Riddle Sisters, with fun character-based riddles, also helped give my channel a personality—which matters more than I thought.
One of My Many Playlists:
5. Engagement Rate Is a Quiet Win
When I saw that my like ratio was over 90%, I wasn't sure if that meant much.
However, experts say that the engagement rate is one of the most important signals of viewer satisfaction. It may not skyrocket your subscriber count overnight, but it shows that the people who do watch your videos are finding value in them.
That told me I wasn't just yelling into the void—I was actually connecting with the right viewers, even if the crowd was small (for now).
So viewers could see that I'm actually a real person (lol), I created a playlist section where I personally read my riddles. Here's one of them from the playlist: I upload these as shorts:
What YouTube Creators Should Expect (and Accept)
Here's the big picture I walked away with after all that digging:
YouTube growth is often slow, especially in niche spaces.
Most creators see meaningful growth only after years of consistent effort.
Engagement and audience retention are more valuable than raw view counts.
Creating structure through playlists, themed content, and branding helps both your viewers and the algorithm.
Uploading regularly—without burning out—is more important than chasing virality.
So, Should I Keep Going?
That was the big question for me. And after reading what I did, the answer became clear:
Yes, I should.
If anything, the research validated that I wasn't behind—I was right on track.
The hours I've put into editing, theming, scripting, and uploading are not wasted. They are foundational. According to the experts, they are precisely what a channel like mine should be doing at this stage.
Meet one of My Latest Creations From The Riddle Sister Series:
Final Thoughts: Questions Are Good—Just Don't Let Them Stop You
If you've been quietly wondering whether it's worth continuing, whether your results are "respectable," or whether your numbers are normal, you're not alone.
I asked all those questions, too. And while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, what I found out is this:
YouTube is a long-term platform. Niche creators need patience. But persistence really does matter.
If your channel has heart, structure, and consistency—even with just a few dozen or hundred subscribers—you're already doing better than you think.
👉 Curious how all this looks in action? You can visit my channel, Stumped Riddles on YouTube, to see how I've structured playlists, themed content, and kept at it—one riddle at a time.
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.”
National Donut Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday of June. This event began in 1938 as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. The idea came from the Salvation Army women of World War I who served donuts to soldiers. Known as ‘Donut Dollies’, these women volunteers of the Salvation Army traveled to France to support American Soldiers.
By 1938, the goal was to help those in need during the Great Depression.
Some Donut History
Doughnuts have been around for centuries, although the modern doughnut in America became better known during the 19th century from the influence of Dutch immigrants. The ring shape came from efforts to prevent a raw center and create even frying by punching a hole in the center.
The name for this tasty treat is interchangeably known as donut or doughnut. Doughnut was the original name, with donut becoming a shortened version.
Since ‘doughnuts’ are made from a small lump of sweetened ‘dough’ and ‘nut’ is a way of saying “a small lump”, it is easy to see how this pastry’s name came about.
Other words for donuts include cake, pastry, sweet bun, Danish, sinker, dunker, and crueller. Then we have the popular New Orleans fried doughnut with powdered sugar called a Beignet! Served in many restaurants around the country, beignets are most famously known at New Orleans’ Cafe du Monde.
Personal Favorite Donut Story
My high school years were at a time when Driver’s Education was still taught as part of the school curriculum during school hours. We had some classroom instructions, interspersed with actual driving times. There were three of us girls in the driving part of my class and our time was around 10 a.m. One morning we drove down a street that had a Dunkin Donuts store and we girls begged our instructor to let us stop and get donuts. He said no because, if he did it for us, he’d have to do it for everyone. We promised we wouldn’t tell anyone! He finally relented (to our delight), but said if anyone from class said anything, he’d know one of us ‘told’ and we would lose any further ‘privileges’. None of us EVER told! :)
Summary
This fried dough delicacy has evolved through time and today is available in a wide range of flavors, shapes and toppings. It is now a beloved treat enjoyed around the world.
Whether you frequent a favorite local bakery or donut shop, or make your own homemade donuts, these small sweet fried cakes are a favorite with everyone.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I love cozy mystery movies! I have watched several cozy mystery movies
by Great American Family and thus far, have enjoyed every one of them. I like having
a mystery to try to solve without any gore or violent scenes to endure.
"A Case for the Yarn Marker" is the most recent cozy mystery movie I've
watched. It is part of the Ainsley McGregor series that features a
former criminologist who has chosen to leave Chicago to move to her favorite vacation destination where her brother lives. However, crime is everywhere, including Sweet River,
Texas.
Along with the murder mystery, there is a touch of romantic interest
between characters. In this movie, Ainsley McGregor (Candance Cameron
Bure) is romantically interested in the fire chief of the city. Plus,
her brother is the sheriff. She is teaching criminology in
the local university and has opened a craft market for community artists. All things
considered, whether she wants to be or not, she is going to be an integral
part of crime investigations in Sweet River.
A Case for the Yarn Maker Synopsis
Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn MakerWatch on Amazon (subscription may be required)Ainsley McGregor is hosting a special event in her Bless Your Arts craft
market and has invited Ellie Mitchum, a wealthy yarn company owner/founder, to
speak. She is expecting someone who is happy to be there. After all,
Mitchum is from Sweet River too and actually attended school in the event location. However, Ainsley has to welcome
a somewhat irritable and rude individual.
According to other locals who knew her,
Ellie Mitchum has never been a particularly nice person. She is even
accused of stealing someone else's designs. The person accusing Ellie
happens to be a respected member of the community who, unbeknownst to Ainsley, plans to
confront Ellie at the event.
When Ellie Mitchum is murdered, there are plenty of suspects
including members of her own family, company board members and of course, the "respected member of the community" who has accused her of being a thief.
Because Mitchum is not well liked, finding her murderer is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Too many people had reason to want her gone.
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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