Outdoor Sunflower Decorations

 

I was out shopping at a local "At Home" store when I came across this cheerful little birdhouse.  I thought it would be perfect to spruce up my deck and backyard garden area for the spring.  I bought it and ended up hanging it on a post at the edge of our deck.  To my surprise by late that afternoon I saw some birds checking it out.  It is now a week later and if you look close at the hole in the front you will see the materials the birds brought in for their nest.  I was amazed they settled in so quickly.

I then decided to go on Amazon and look for some other sunflower decorations for my backyard.  Below you will find the results from my search.

Sunflower Solar Lights

Solar sunflowers are a great way to add some light to your garden at  night or light up your walkways.  As I was looking for sunflower decor on Amazon, I came across a variety of different sunflower solar lights.  I can see them in the garden around a deck as a great way to lighten up your flowers for an evening party.  Here is a link to some of the sunflower solar lights on Amazon. Sunflower Solar Lights

Sunflower Bird Feeders

In the photo above you see the sunflower birdfeeder, that I purchased on Amazon hanging on a post at the edge of our deck.  I tried to put in a birdseed mix, but found the smaller seeds went through the cracks.  I refilled it with sunflower seeds and they work perfectly.

When I looked on Amazon for sunflower bird feeders, I found they had lots from which to choose.

Here is a link to Amazon's page on Sunflower bird feeders.  I am sure you will find one to fit your needs. Sunflower Bird Feeders

Sunflower Welcome Mat

Do you need a new welcome mat to spruce up your outdoor area?  I love to see sunflowers on a welcome mat and I found that Amazon carries a large variety of different sunflower mats.  Here is a link to the Amazon page on sunflower mats. Sunflower Welcome Mats

More Sunflower Reviews

I love sunflowers and have written about them in past reviews.  Here are some links to sunflower reviews on Review This.

Fun Facts about Sunflowers

Sunflower Facts and Photographs  

Photographing Sunflowers

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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The President Is Missing - Book Review

 The President is Missing is the first collaboration between former President Bill Clinton and the master of thrillers, James Patterson. This book is a fast-paced political thriller packed with suspense and realistic details about how the government operates.

The Plot for The President Is Missing:

President Jonathan Lincoln Duncan is under fierce political pressure in Washington. He is under investigation by Congress, his approval rating is slipping, and the media is circling like hawks. But President Duncan is dealing with something far more dangerous. A cyberattack that will destroy the United States.

A cyberterrorist has created and planted a computer virus to destroy the nation's critical systems. If the virus is activated, it will shut down financial networks and power grids, causing chaos throughout the country.

President Duncan suspects that someone inside the government, and possibly his closest circle, may be involved.

He disappears from the public eye. While the nation wonders where he has gone, he is secretly working with a small, trusted team to stop the cyberattack before it's too late.

This becomes a high-stakes race against time filled with political intrigue, betrayals, and dangerous encounters.

My Thoughts:

This book is the perfect blend of political drama and thriller. The story is fast-paced and keeps you guessing about whom you can trust. To me, the technical details are scary, and it makes me think that this could really happen.

I enjoyed reading all three of the collaborations between Bill Clinton and James Patterson. Once I started reading each one, I just couldn't stop.

Find more book Reviews on Review this here:

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The First Gentleman: A ThrillerBuy NowThe President's Daughter: A ThrillerBuy NowThe President Is Missing: A NovelBuy Now

 

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How to Pamper Your Senior Cat

 

Senior cats hold a special place in our hearts, Whether you have had them all their lives or not, elder cats are a lovable addition to any family and are worthy of some pampering. I have an elder Siamese who is 15 and is a real sweetheart. She is such a wonderful companion to me I would not hesitate to do anything I could to make sure she has the best life possible, and lives as long as possible. I can’t imagine life without her.

If you have an older cat that you want to pamper, there are many ways to do so, especially if you focus on key areas that are vital to a pet that is getting older.

Health

Once a cat reaches age 12 or 13, health check ups should be increased to twice a year. An elder cat examination should focus on teeth and jaw health, liver health, digestive and bowel health, and joint health, focusing on possible arthritis and pain problems.

In between vet visits, you should carefully monitor the health of your cat and be aware of any changes that occur in your cat’s health.  If you are not sure what to look for, I recommend the book Complete Care for Your Aging Cat by Amy Shojai.  Not only does it help you know what to look for in your cat as they get older, but it helps you to understand how cats age and how best to care for them.

Behavior 

it is very important to monitor your cat’s behavior at any age, but especially when a cat is older. Any change in behavior could be significant. The four most important things to keep an eye on are:

Eating and drinking – your cats consumption of food and water should remain the same. Any significant change could be a sign of a health problem.

Urinary and bowel habits – keeping an eye on this takes a bit more work. Try to monitor these functions for any differences from normal. If you notice any changes, such as diarrhea or constipation, frequent urination or no urination, you should see your vet immediately.

Sleep habits – Cat sleep a lot normally, and older cats even more. However, if you notice your cat sleeping all the time, especially if they are hard to wake up, or if they seem to rarely sleep and pace around restlessly, a trip to the vet is called for.

Demeanor – This means attitude and action. If your cat is usually easy going and is suddenly grumpy or mean, or if you can is usually cuddly and loving and suddenly wants nothing to do with anyone, then you should take them in to the vet to check out why this change may have occurred.

Diet

As cats get older, it is a good idea to feed them food that is made for senior cats. It is specially made to be easier to digest and could help your older feline to process his or her food and eliminate it more comfortably and successfully. If your cat is in poor health, weak or ill, you can get canned cat food from your vet that is especially made for infirm cats. It has more protein, and nutrients than regular cat food and will better help nourish a sick animal. A cat that is older and less active may gain weight, and need a food with less calories, or your senior may be like my elder Siamese and get hyperthyroidism, which means they are not getting enough nutrition from the food they eat and grow very thin.  I feed her Kitten food, because it has more nutrition. If you cat is eating well, and still losing weight, they see your vet for the proper medication to give your pet.

Other Ways of Pampering

There are two things I do for my kitties once they reach about 14 years old.  I find that it helps their daily life and they seem to love it!

Self Warming Pet Mats - Buy a few and put them where your cat likes to sleep.  Older cats get cold easier and these mats have some kind of film inside the quilting that reflects the cats own body heat and helps keep them warm.  I find these to be better than heated mats because they warm automatically and do not need anyone to turn them off and on.  I have a few of these mats, which are not expensive, only about $10 each, and my senior uses them all the time when napping.

Self Warming Pet Mats

Pet Stairs - My bed is very high off the ground so I noticed when my kitties were getting older they had trouble jumping up on my bed.  I imagined that it also hurt them when they jumped down.  I shopped around at Amazon for an answer and I found the perfect thing for me:  a sturdy set of cat steps that also had scratching posts on the step supports!  The one I chose also has a little fluffy ball on a string for them to play with, so not only does it help them up on the bed, but it also serves as a play area.  They have many different kinds of pet steps, but be careful because many of them that are foam or foldable are not sturdy enough for playing cats!  I put a set by my bed and one in my office because my cat loves to sleep on my desk when I am writing!  I love the fact that she can now still get up to the places she loves to go.  Cats love to be independent and this helps them to keep their autonomy longer.

Cat Stairs

I hope I have helped you find some great ways to pamper your beloved feline well into their golden years.  Being older is only another stage of life to love your cat through.  With a little understanding and knowledge you can make these some of the best years of your life together.

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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Brooks Glycerin 22 Running Shoes Review

The search was on for a comfortable well made, well cushioned shoe and one I could stand for hours! And it has been a search with quite a few returns along the way. I tried brands that were go to brands, but had changed and no longer met the criteria or were just not comfortable.

I decided to start with the Best of Lists by independent reputable sources and of course reviewers. The Brooks line was on every list; the only difference was the model of the shoe. I decided to try the Glycerin 22 and with the small exception of exchanging for a larger size (see below) it was a positive purchase. The Glycerin is described as a running shoe with a neutral fit. Note this purchase was not to run, but to be an everyday shoe which could also provide comfort when standing long hours.

Feel

The cushioning is apparent immediately and is very comfortable. A lighter weight shoe which enhances the comfort.

Toe Drop

If you've noticed athletic shoes can have quite a toe drop and the toe drop can differ dramatically between brands and models within the brand. I didn't find the toe drop to be noticeable one way or the other which I'd consider a positive. 

Sizing

It has been well documented by reviewers and particularly those reviewers who are repeat purchasers of the Glycerin that the shoe runs small. I can indeed verify the shoe runs about a 1/2 size small.

Narrow

One of the attractions of this shoe was its' tendency to run narrow and again, I can confirm the shoe does run narrow. Narrow feet typically also have narrow heels which can be difficult to fit as well. The Glycerin does run narrow and has the two ankle holes instead of one for lacing which is always a help to make a medium shoe more friendly for narrow feet.

Reviewers

Currently the Glycerin 23 has been released so fans of the 22 will find a nice discount. 

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A Senior Woman's Life Story in a Song

I wrote the lyrics to this song, "Looking At My Hands," on March 19th, 2026, but in many ways, the story began decades earlier.

The First Verse Inspired By My True Story of Mom Helping Me Move Into My First Apartment in 1979 - But It Applies to Many Women!

The first verse is not just imagined — it's a memory I've carried with me all my life. 

I was 19 years old in 1979 when I moved to Toronto to go to school, sharing my very first apartment with a friend. 

It was only a few hours from home, but it felt like a whole new world had opened up in front of me. I remember the excitement, the independence, and the quiet realization that life was beginning to unfold in a new and exciting way.

And I will never forget my mother being there with me.

We unpacked boxes together, cleaned (we were cleaning maniacs lol), and set up that apartment piece by piece. There was something so simple about it at the time — just the physical act of lifting things, putting them in place, beginning a new chapter. 

But looking back now, that moment holds so much more meaning. It was the beginning of everything.

That verse, for me, is almost a diary entry. It takes me right back to that young woman standing at the start of her life, not yet knowing all that she would one day carry.

On a side note, I start the song with the words:

"Looking at my hands, remembering what they've lifted, my pens and my dreams, and how those early weights shifted"

These words reference what my soul knew it should be doing, writing, and how those dreams shifted to the practical side of life. 

Thinking back, it was the world we lived in: be practical, think about a career, not your artsy-fartsy dreams. 

Well, it ain't over till it's over! So here's my lyric video :)

The Verses About Youth and Ambition, Marriage and Family

From there, the song moves through the stages so many of us know.

The years of ambition and growth, when life feels fast and full; meeting new people, building a career, stepping into independence with excitement and hope. 

And then, as life unfolds, it brings love, relationships, marriage, and children. Each chapter arrives naturally, almost effortlessly at first. Yet, each one brings new layers of responsibility and new forms of "lifting" that we never fully anticipated when we were just starting out.

That's really what this song is about.

It's not just the events themselves, but what comes with them. The unseen weight. 

The emotional and mental strength required to hold it all together. The quiet resilience that builds over time as life becomes more complex.

In the beginning, the lifting is physical — boxes, furniture, the pieces of a new life. But as the years go on, what we carry becomes much deeper than that. It becomes about people, about love, about responsibility, about showing up again and again for the life we've created.

And then something shifts.

The Verse About How The Lifting Will Now Be Experienced by Our Grown Children

We begin to see the next generation stepping into those same roles.

Our children begin to carry their own weights, to build their own lives, to face their own challenges. And in that moment, there's both a sense of understanding and a quiet passing of the torch; a recognition that this is the rhythm of life.

The thread that runs through it all is that simple image: looking at our hands.

All that they've held.
All that they've lifted.
All that they've carried — often without us even realizing the strength it took.

I Gave This Song, These Lyrics, A Positive Ending

And in the end, I wanted this song to land somewhere peaceful and positive. Not in hardship, but in reflection. In that later chapter of life where we can look back — from that young woman in her first apartment in 1979, to the woman we are today — and recognize the fullness of it all.

Not perfectly lived, but fully lived.

And in that reflection, there is a quiet kind of victory.

Not the kind that needs to be announced, but the kind you feel when you realize… You did it. You're still standing. That's a win in my books.

****************

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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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