Fantastic, Fabulous, Booties ~ A Product Review

 Hopefully your Christmas was wonderful and Santa brought you all kinds of wonderful gifts!  We all know you have been good!

Now if that gift happens to be a most wanted puppy, even more wonderful.  What a lovely way to share some love with a new family member!

With sharing the love, you will also want to share some really important healthy ways to look after your new best friend.

If you live in the north, as many of us do, winter is part of Christmas and with that there is snow as well.  But if you live in the South, there is hot pavement and  mud puddles!

So this product is for all of you, northerners and southerners as well.  All dogs and puppies deserve fabulous booties!

Most dogs love playing in the snow and it's wonderful to see them running through all that white stuff, digging their noses in and  yes, even turning some of that white stuff a little yellow.  

So far everything is great in the north, but, then comes the salt that is poured all over the sidewalks and streets!  Yes, most humans love salted sidewalks and roadways, but our pooch friends are not so overjoyed.  Why?  Well, let's just say that the salt gets on their paws and between their toes.  The salt water dries out their paws and if not removed from their little feet, it will become a source of pain for them.

So what can you do?  

Get that little new friend used to putting on his booties just like you do before heading out into the snow!

Snow boots or doggie boots/paw protectors, are great for many reasons!  In the winter it keeps their paws dry and salt free!  In the spring and summer, it keeps their feet dry in rainy weather.  Summertime heatwaves won't cook their feet on the hot pavement either.  Muddy puddles and muddy feet are a thing of the past.  

Doggie Boots/Paw Protectors, come in several sizes for all types of dogs.  Most good brands have non-slip soles so that your dog will be able to find his traction on any surface.  Velcro closures will ensure a good fit and help to keep those booties on their feet until they are home again.  

I have linked a page for you here and you can see that most of the booties are quite easy to put on and take off.  There are even more advanced "Suspender booties" for those dogs who manage to get out of almost everything.  

Once you dog is trained to wear these booties, they will want to wear them.  Their paws will not suffer any ill effects of being in the salted areas and the comfort will be worth the time it takes to train your dog.  

Now if you have gotten your dog as a puppy, it will  just become part of his training as you get to know each other.  Older dogs might take a little longer.  But you will be happy that part of your daily walk does not include washing your dog's feet afterwards.  With the booties, they just come off, like your shoes do.

Fido will need a special place on the boot mat for his new winter shoes. Paw protectors/booties are great gifts for the new family member and for you as well.

May you enjoy the new year with your newest family member and have lots of fun in the snow!

  

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Reviewing The Benefits of Exercise Bands

 

We recently bought these Resistance Exercise Bands with five levels of resistance. We do have a few exercise  items such as a Pilates reformer, Body blade and Rebounder and we love them all. However we wanted something quick, affordable, very light and portable to take away with us so we can still do some beneficial exercise.

Exercise bands look so simple, like oversized elastic bands.  They are in fact thick stretchy bands of different colours which correlate to the different strengths. They work using your own bodyweight to stretch the bands in a controlled way to provide muscle resistance. 

These bands are available in different levels of resistance depending on which brand you buy, ours come in five levels , others may have three. They usually start at a light level and move up through medium bands to strong or heavy. 

 If you are new to any exercise or starting again after a period of rest or illness or you just want something quick to do these are very simple to use and versatile. The main driver for me is that I have suffered an ankle injury and so many of the exercises I am used to doing are a bit problematic for me right now. So in order to keep my body active while I heal, we decided on these exercise bands.

 I would suggest that you consult your doctor or physiotherapist if you have any conditions, allergies to materials (such as latex), illness or injury before you start and use the easiest, most gentle band first. 

 

Requirements For Using Resistance Bands.

The only room you need to store these resistance bands is to keep a few lightweight bands in a small bag. 

The only room you need to use them is the size of your own body plus room to stretch out a little. Stretchy exercise bands make exercise when there is little room easy.

You can use in any room in the house or even in the garden or on holiday! They’re perfect for exercise at home and they are amongst some of the most inexpensive exercise equipment available. 

You don't need any special clothing, just something you can move in. You can use them sitting, standing or lying down depending on the exercise and your ability.

They are very quiet to use so suitable if you don't like noise, have a baby in the house or someone who needs peace and quiet. You can even use them while watching Tv or listening to music.

No travel required! You do not need to travel to a gym and can use them just when you have a few minutes or to incorporate into a whole exercise routine. 

For fitness we can use them on their own or alongside other exercise like pilates, yoga, weights, and cardio exercise.

Resistance Levels

The resistance on these bands increases as you stretch the band so the muscle works though the entire stretch and importantly at your pace. 

They are usually graded from light to heavy or strong and we should start with light and move up as we feel it is suitable. 

We can use these bands to strengthen arms, legs, back and shoulders and the core also gets a workout which is good for the whole body. 

Use the resistance that suits you, whatever stage of fitness or recovery you are at currently. Start on the lightest band if you are unsure or new to exercise or injured. 

Resistance Bands Are Gentle On Joints

The resistance bands resistance is due to the stretch on the band itself, there is no reliance on gravity like weights. So we can make the movements smoother and gentle and to our tolerance which is kinder to our joints. 

Although there are exercises you can do lying down in the floor, if that is difficult then we can just do the seated or standing exercises. It is still good effective exercise and very valuable. 

This makes them helpful for anyone recovering from injury with Dr or physio permission, people unused to exercise,  older adults and anyone who may have stiffness.

Exercise Bands May Help Improve Balance And Stability

This becomes increasingly important as we age. Many band exercises involve slow, controlled movements. This helps strengthen the smaller stabilising muscles that keep us balanced and steady. 

With consistent use this can help to improve our balance which is the key to avoiding falls and posture which is crucial for stability and overall body health. 

They help with coordination and general confidence and the feel good factor.

As my ankle has been hurting I first started with the arm exercises simply holding the band between my hands and above my head and moving them gently apart and together. I tend to do 3 sets of 10 -15 reps. I thought this was easy and that I wouldn't feel the benefit, but I did! 

A later one I tried was slipping the band under both feet sitting down and with one hand gently stretching the band towards me up to knee level or higher. It was a surprisingly really good strengthening exercise for my arms. 

So while I am currently concentrating on my upper body while my ankle heals and doing the specialised physio exercises for that, my husband is concentrating on exercises to improve balance. An example is the one where you put the band around your ankles and gently move one foot to the other side while keeping the other foot stationary. 

Resistance Bands Suit Every Fitness Level

If you are a complete beginner to exercise the bands are easy to use and you can begin with very gentle stretches on the lowest band strength.

 If you are used to exercise these bands can be used for strength training with the heavier band stretches. You can also use them to improve control and flexibility. 

Resistance Bands Make Exercise Feel Accessible And Achievable

Many of us have great ideas and good intentions for exercising but sometimes it seems intimidating, especially if we are unfit  or injured, time poor or new to exercise. 

If we need to travel or make arrangements for child or carer care it can start to feel like a chore.

These bands have allowed me to continue doing some exercise without stressing my ankle or travelling out in the freezing cold weather, which is a huge emotional and physical benefit to me.

There are exercises you can do sitting or standing or lying down and  different levels of resistance, so whatever our tolerance for activity there are exercises most of us can do with these bands. 

Complicated set ups or having to travel to exercise can be a barrier to many of us.  However these bands are easy with no complex instructions and we can pick them up for a few minutes at a time so great for people who are time poor. Even five to ten minutes with these bands makes you feel like you have done something good for your body and that is encouraging and motivating. 

I often pick them up to do a few exercises just when i have a few minutes or even while watching TV or listening to music. I don't need to change clothes if I don't want to in order to do many of the exercises. I don't need 30 or 60 minutes to exercise, just 5 mins here and there if that is all I have available.  

These exercise bands are so small and easy to carry they are perfect for taking away on holiday, business trips or visiting family and friends so we can keep up with some exercise even if away from home. 

Financially these resistance exercise bands are amongst the most affordable pieces of exercise equipment. 

I find I need that now, to do a little exercise every day. You could even just take one single band with you  and that would be enough to give you a good exercise routine for a while.

 Here are a selection to choose from.

 Exercise bands Fit SimplifyCheck Price Professional resistance bandsCheck Price Tribe resistance bandsCheck Price

Exercise and caring for our body ought to be easy and accessible. These Exercise bands show that improving our fitness doesn’t have to mean complicated routines or machinery or huge financial commitment.

I love our other exercise machines and would not be without them for all manner of reasons, but they were more expensive and some needed more set up time and room to store and use.

If you are looking to improve your balance and strength in a easy way with something that takes up little room and is quiet and effective, these resistance bands may be what you need.

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The Benefits Of Rebounder For Health And Fitness Reviewed

The Benefits Of Bodyblade For Health And Fitness Reviewed

Reviewing The Benefits of Exercise Bands By Raintree Annie

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Slow It Down: The Lyrics That Began with a Simple Question

 

A New Year’s Moment That Sparked a Song

The spark for Slow It Down came at the very first moment of 2026. On New Year’s Eve, just after the midnight bell had rung, I was celebrating with my husband and my youngest adult son. It was one of those quiet, joyful moments — hugs, laughter, and the soft feeling of a new year opening its arms.

In that moment, my son asked me a simple question: “So, what’s your New Year’s resolution?”

I paused. I smiled. And I answered honestly. I told him I didn’t have a resolution in the traditional sense. What I shared instead was what I now call my anti-resolution — my plan to live in every second, every minute, every hour, and every day… and to slow it down.

Saying those words out loud felt different. They landed in a way I didn’t expect.

When Words Turn into a Spark

Almost immediately after I said it, I thought to myself, “Hmm… slow it down. I think I could write lyrics about that.”
The phrase stayed with me. It lingered long after the night ended, quietly echoing in my thoughts.

Sometimes inspiration doesn’t arrive with a loud announcement. Sometimes it just waits patiently for you to notice it.

New Year’s Morning: Where the Lyrics Took Shape

The next morning — January 1st, 2026, the very first day of the year — I found myself curled up in bed, relaxed and unhurried. The world felt still. There was no rush to be anywhere, no pressure to begin immediately. Just space.

That’s when the inspiration fully arrived.

Lying there, I felt deeply compelled to put those words down before they slipped away. I let myself stay in that quiet moment, allowing the thoughts to unfold naturally. Within about an hour and a half, the lyrics to Slow It Down were written — a song born not from urgency, but from presence.

What “Slow It Down” Really Means

This song isn’t about stopping your life, abandoning your goals, or letting your dreams fade. It’s not about doing less — it’s about being more present while you do what matters to you.

Slow It Down is about how we move through our days as we create, build, work, love, and dream. It’s about enjoying the process instead of racing toward the outcome. It’s about noticing the moments that often pass too quickly — the quiet ones, the meaningful ones, the ones that shape us without us even realizing it.

Life is short. And the beauty of it doesn’t live in the finish lines — it lives in the seconds, the pauses, the reflections, and the breaths we take along the way.

An Invitation to Live Differently This Year

Slow It Down is my invitation — not just for a new year, but for any moment when life feels rushed or overwhelming. It’s a reminder that renewal doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from simply being where you are, fully and intentionally.

Wherever you are in your journey — whether you’re creating something new, nurturing relationships, or quietly rebuilding — I hope this song encourages you to savor the moments that make up your days.

Slow it down.
Soak it in.
Let life meet you where you are.

********

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

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The Story Lyrics About Four Generations and Sticker Shock!

I wrote the lyrics to "When Crazy Was King" in the 1990s, when I was challenging myself to write story-driven songs that didn't depend on personal confessions or emotional backstories.

A Song Born from Sticker Shock and Storytelling

Even back then, in the 1990s, the cost of living felt steep, and prices were beginning to climb in ways that made everyone shake their head. That sense of disbelief across generations became the spark for the song—but my goal wasn't to write a memoir; it was to write a narrative propelled by voices, memory, and perspective.

Of course, even when we try not to write about ourselves, parts of who we are find their way in. Inflation and how each generation reacts to it became the backdrop. It's something we all feel—whether we're buying our first home, filling our gas tank, or scratching our head at the price of shoes. 

The frustration is universal and sometimes humorous, and I wanted to capture it through the voices of four generations in my own family line.

So "When Crazy Was King" began as a project—but became a reflection. A wink to the past, a raised eyebrow to the present, and a nod to how little truly changes in how we feel about money and the world around us.

Four Generations, Four Perspectives, One Constant: "It Never Used to Be Like This"

Even though the song isn't about my life in a literal way, the voices I used are unmistakably familiar. 

My grandfather, my mother, I, and one of my sons form the arc of the story—not to describe our lives in detail, but to highlight how each era has viewed money and progress with a mix of "wtf", disbelief, and resignation.

My grandfather's voice represents that earlier generation who really watched prices shift in a way that felt explosive. His version of shock is rooted in memory—what things cost when he was young, how far a dollar stretched, how much effort it took to "get ahead."

My mother's perspective picks up the same refrain—life could feel expensive even then, long before today's costs crept in and swallowed whole paychecks. She didn't hesitate to warn me that the world was "half gone crazy," passing along equal parts caution, encouragement, and expectation.

And then there's me, passing along that same guidance to my own son. Except by the time he enters the picture, even my jaw drops—and he's there to remind me that the world has moved again, that what seems shocking to me is merely standard to him.

Smiles, Sighs, and What We Pass Along

In the end, When Crazy Was King isn't just a song about prices or inflation—it's a story about perspective, memory, and the way each generation measures the world. 

It's a reminder that what feels overwhelming or absurd today has echoes in the past, and that the voices guiding us—whether from grandparents, parents, or children—carry wisdom, humor, and a touch of disbelief. 

Writing it reminded me that even as the world keeps changing, some truths remain the same: we navigate life as best we can, we pass along what we've learned, and we can still look back with both a smile and a sigh at the days when "crazy" ruled.

*********

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

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Chocolate Dipped or Covered Blackberries

Blackberries are one of my husband's favorite fruits. Recently, I was covering or dipping fruit in chocolate and he suggested we make Chocolate Covered Blackberries. I went along with his suggestion simply because I understand that we each have a different favorite fruit and I wanted everyone to have their favorite available. For contrast, I used White Chocolate on the Blackberries. The White Chocolate Covered Blackberries were lovely on the table and tasty addition to our variety of fruits. 

As it turned out, our daughter also loved the Chocolate Covered blackberries, as did several other guests. The Chocolate Covered Blackberries were a hit and they were completely gone in no time. It seems I did not make enough Chocolate Covered Blackberries for that gathering, but I will know the next time and I will prepare for the inevitable. 

 

Supplies and Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Blackberries

• Fresh Blackberries
• Chocolate for Melting ~ I prefer Saco Dolci Frutta featured below
• Wax Paper

 

Easy Directions for Chocolate Dipped Blackberries 

Step 1: Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper ~ The cookie sheet will make it easier to move your Chocolate Covered Blackberries.

Step 2: Melt Your Chocolate ~ If you use Saco Dolci Frutta, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in their package container. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 2 minutes on medium and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted. Other chocolates will need to be melted in a double boiler or a microwavable dish.

Step 3: Wash and Dry Your Blackberries

Step 4: Dip the Blackberries in the chocolate

Step 5: Set on wax paper to cool

Step 6: When you have dipped all of your Blackberries in chocolate, serve or eat.

Best if not refrigerated

 

Dolci Frutta: Chocolate or White Chocolate in Microwavable Container or Bag

 Dolci Frutta White Melting Wafers, 12 ounce (Pack of 1) | Simply Microwave, Dip & Done! Always Gluten-Free and Nut-FreeCheck Price Dolci Frutta Variety Pack with Hard Chocolate Shell & White Chocolate Shell, Microwavable ContainerCheck Price

More Chocolate or Dipped Fruit for Your Platter

• Strawberries 
• Pears 
• Kiwi 
• Pineapple 
• Bananas 
• Apples COMING SOON
• Cherries 
• Oranges 
• Blackberries

 

 

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This recipe article was originally published by me in 2010 on a different site that no longer exists. Unless otherwise noted with the individual photo, all Photos are mine and should not be used without written permission.  © 2010 Cynthia Sylvestermouse 

Chocolate Covered Blackberries Recipe Review Written by:

© 2026 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
 

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How I Changed a Behavior

Decades ago, I was a mom to a toddler. Besides the normal things to adjust to, I also had to adjust a behavior response from me. My child was doing normal child things, however one of those normal child movements stirred unsettled feelings from long ago.

My child was safe, however, I didn't want those old feelings stirring around; I pushed them down to try and get through trying to be present in the moment. It worked for a bit, but it kept happening with each witness of my child's normal behavior. I decided to try something different.

I had a guided imagery tape that I listened to, to relax my mind. The guided meditation had the listener imagine a room where the listener could feel safe. Then it had the listener imagine another scene, of something one might like to do or become.

In that second part, I intentionally imagined myself responding to my child with a calm and peaceful feeling, whenever I witnessed the behavior that was a trigger for the old feelings.

I did this on day one. I didn't really notice any difference in how I felt.

Day two was pretty much the same. The cassette tape (This was pre-internet days.) was around 25 minutes long. So I could more easily listen to it when it was nap time for my child. So once a day, was pretty much what worked for me.

I listened to it again on the third day. And the next time that I witnessed the behavior that had triggered my old feelings, they weren't there! I was calm. I felt peaceful. I did it.

It took me three days, but I would have done as many as it would take. I had used guided imagery before, that had reduced pain that I had after surgery. That had been a God send. I knew it could work. I had faith in it.

The cassette that I listened to is not available anywhere, to my knowledge. However there are other options.

One is to do a search on YouTube. I did a search for change behavior meditation and a variety of good sounding options came up.

There are also CDs on Amazon, for guided relaxation cd, that address a variety of things.

Also, the very first guided imagery tape that I had, I made myself. I played some basic piano tunes and recorded that on one tape, and played that while I read the script that I had created, while I recorded both on to another tape.

I had used a variety of books on self hypnosis, and positive self talk, to make a relaxation tape ahead of the surgery that I was scheduled for. This method can take a lot more time and effort, but it was also very nice in that I got to listen to my own voice, and I was in agreement with each and every message and affirmation that was on the cassette.

As you can see, guided imagery can be used for a variety of things. I had a friend that listened to one on pregnancy and childbirth; she did not experience any labor pains and her doctor had to tell her when to push when it was time to give birth.

You can browse a variety of self hypnosis books on Amazon, if you are interested in making something more personal to you. You know best which method and or topic(s) speak most to you.

For some added encouragement, I wrote a poem to help relay this message.


I imagined it as so.

I got over it because I imagined it as so.

Took me three times over three days for it to be true.

But I was determined, no matter how many times it took.

I was determined to make it so.

My child was worth it.

I was worth it.

To be beyond the remnants of the past.

My child deserved having me be present.

I deserved being in the present with a conscious choice of my response.

We were both worth it.

And my imagining made it so.

We were both worth it.

And my imagining made it so.

If you are dealing with anything like this, my love and blessings to you in finding the path that helps you have a healthy transition to your desired outcome. Change is possible.

Cheryl Paton

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Black-Eyed Peas Recipe for New Year's Day (or anytime!)

It is a tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.  The fun superstition surrounding black-eyed peas on New Years is that they will bring you good luck & prosperity throughout the coming year.

History tells us that tradition is founded in Southern folklore, yet it is clearly more widespread than just the Southern states of America.  

National Black-Eyed Pea Day is, of course, January 1.  

Does eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day actually bring good luck?   As much as I would like to say "yes", in reality, a superstition is just that and has no real basis in truth.  But, it is still a fun tradition and a delicious side dish.

If you really want to embrace the tradition, aka superstition, according to my mother, you would couple the black-eyed peas with cornbread.  The cornbread symbolizes gold.  Somehow, I think we would all devour black-eyed peas and cornbread enthusiastically on New Years Day if it would ensure good luck and wealth throughout the year!

I can tell you from experience, black-eyed peas coupled with cornbread becomes a complete and filling meal, not just two separate side dishes. 

 

Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

The best way to flavor black-eyed peas is with a ham bone.  I save my Christmas ham bone each year just so I can use it in my New Year's Day black-eyed peas.  

If you don't have a spare ham bone laying around, you can season black-eyed peas with bacon grease or 3 pieces of uncooked bacon.  The bacon cooks along with the peas.

Growing up, we shelled our own black-eyed field peas.  Today, I prefer using a bag of Camellia brand blackeyes.  I still soak them in water overnight like I did freshly shelled peas to soften them.

 

Instructions for Cooking Black-Eyed Peas

1. Rinse and Soak the black-eyed peas overnight or for 8 hrs
2. Rinse the peas again after soaking 
3. Place the ham bone (or bacon) in the center of the large (5 quart or larger) dutch oven pan and arrange the peas around it
4. Add Salt & Pepper
5. Cover the Peas with Water
6. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a low boil, cover the pan with a tilted lid, allowing steam to escape
7. Cook on low boil for 1½ hour

You will need to stir them often and check the water level.  Add water as needed to keep the peas covered. 

 

Click Here for Mom's Cornbread Recipe

 

 T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set 12 Piece, Oven Broiler Safe 400F, Lid Safe 350F -
I USE THE 5 qt DUTCH OVEN in this set Camellias Black Eyed Peas, 16 Oz

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Reviewing Del Destino Golden Pineapple Spears with Coconut Water

During the holidays, a friend was in charge of whipping up most of the meals. Lucky me, he enjoys grilling and prefers fresh, flavorful food. One of those meals included the Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water that he was given as a gift.  We both took a bite of the pineapple to try at the same time and we were at a loss for words. The pineapples with just a hint of coconut were such a succulent, flavorful treat!

"Del Destino is Atalanta's line of Premium Quality Mediterranean products" - Atalanta Corp

Grilled steak, buttered and toasted everything bagels, and Del Destino Golden Pineapple spears were served for the holiday brunch. The combination of the perfectly grilled, warm savory steaks and cold, sweet pineapple spears was perfect. 

We immediately began imagining what else these melt-in-your-mouth pineapples could be used for. Within seconds we listed:

• decadent fruit smoothies
• baked in muffins or cakes (imagine upside-down pineapple cake!)
• side dishes or snacks
• fresh fruit salad or ambrosia salad
• served with cottage cheese
• pineapple whip
• grilled
• Pina coladas and/or infused in alcohol 

Grilling. There are a variety of recipes for grilled pineapple, adding cinnamon, brown sugar or other ingredients. However, these Del Destino pineapple spears are so delicious that I don't believe I'd add any additional ingredients for the first time. I'm not sure the flavor needs any additions at all.

Pineapple Whip. There are a variety of recipes for pineapple whip but they all generally included pineapple, some sort of milk product, orange juice, and some small amount of sweetener (such as maple syrup) - blended then briefly placed in the freezer to firm it up.

Fruit Salad.  I had lived my entire life believe that my family's marshmallow fruit salad (also known as Ambrosia salad to some) was the very best. I would have never imagined an improvement. Until now. Using the Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water would make a perfect Ambrosia even better. I'm sure of it. 

We both enjoy pineapple. Sadly, we have become accustomed to the sometimes fibrous and under-ripe pineapples (in prepared fruit plates as well as when purchasing whole pineapples) or the overly-syrupy sweet of canned pineapples. The Del Destino pineapple spears were shockingly good. 

As we were so glad to learn, a jar of Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water makes a perfect gift! 

The Del Destino brand seems to be available at both Costco and Aldi and is highly recommended. 

If you prefer to shop Amazon, there are brands of Pineapple in coconut water available on Amazon that are highly rated. Orchard Natural Pineapple in light syrup and coconut water is an example and at the time of this writing is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 1,000 reviews.

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Review of The Story Behind The Lyrics "Elvis Saved My Life"

 

A Lifetime of Writing Lyrics & Poems

I've been writing lyrics since 1968 — yes, since I was eight years old — and poetry has also always been a part of my life. Over the years, most of my writing has been inspired by real life: events in the world, moments with my family, feelings, hope, humor, and inspiration. 

I love capturing what's happening around me, exploring emotions, and sharing perspectives that feel universal.

But every so often, I like to challenge myself. That's how Elvis Saved My Life came to be — an entirely fictional story told through lyrics.

"Elvis Saved My Life" Was My Creative Challenge

Written in the late 1990s or early 2000s (I forget the exact date), this song started as my own personal challenge: Could I tell a complete narrative using three iconic Elvis Presley songs as milestones in a couple's life?

The songs I chose — Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender, and In the Ghetto — weren't just randomly picked. Each one marks a pivotal moment in the couple's journey, capturing emotions, growth, and perspective in a lyrical timeline. 

The idea was to let these songs narrate life's key moments and, metaphorically, show how Elvis "saved" their lives.

The Journey Through Song

Each song in the story plays a unique role:

• Jailhouse Rock: Represents youthful innocence and the playful, awkward beginnings of love. It's a moment of humor and formative experience — that first awakening to relationships and desire.

• Love Me Tender: Captures the deepening of love and commitment. It marks a turning point where affection grows into something lasting, tender, and life-changing.

• In the Ghetto: Reflects perspective, gratitude, and understanding of life's bigger picture. It's a moment of recognition—seeing life's joys and trials and feeling thankful for what's been built.

Together, these songs become markers along a timeline, telling a story of love, growth, and the simple beauty of shared experiences.

Why This Song Matters to Me

Usually, my lyrics come from personal experience or observation, but this project was different. It pushed me to imagine a life, create characters, and weave together a story purely through words and lyrics. 

It was a mental and emotional exercise—translating life into moments marked by song and finding meaning in the narrative of a couple's journey.

It reminded me that lyrics can be more than just words. They can be memory, reflection, and even a kind of salvation. That's the essence of this story: how life, love, and carefully chosen words can intersect to create something unforgettable.

A Personal Reflection

Looking back, Elvis Saved My Life isn't just a creative experiment — it's a celebration of storytelling through lyrics. It's about the moments that shape us, the songs that become the soundtrack of our lives, and the unexpected ways life nudges us toward growth, connection, and joy.

It's fun, it's heartfelt, and for me, it's a reminder that sometimes, fiction can tell truths as powerfully as reality ever could.

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50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

 If there is one dish that is always a crowd pleaser with kids and adults alike, it has to be Mac and Cheese. And thanks to the Instant Pot, this classic comfort food is fast and easy to make. Did I mention creamy and delicious?

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese - Reviewed

From start to finish, Instant Pot Mac and Cheese takes about 15 minutes. Everyone in our family just loves how delicious, rich, and creamy this dish is.

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• 4 cups water (or use half water, half chicken broth for extra flavor).
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons butter

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream (we use the heavy cream)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

1. Add the pasta, water, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and butter into the Instant Pot.
2. Set to manual or pressure cook for 4 minutes. When done, quick release the pressure.
3. Open the lid and stir the pasta; do not drain any remaining liquid.
4. Set the Instant Pot to Saute' (Low)
5. Slowly stir in the milk and cheeses, then continue stirring until everything melts into a smooth, velvety sauce.
6. If it's too thick, add a little more milk, and if it's too thin, stir a little longer.

This is a must-try recipe resulting in maximum flavor with minimal effort. It's perfect for busy weeknights or anyone craving comfort food. Try this Instant Pot Mac and cheese, and you may never go back to stovetop or boxed mac and cheese again.

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You will find a large selection of Instant Pots on Amazon

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 QuartBuy Now

 

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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