Scorching!

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Earlier in the year, it seemed to rain every day and our garden was a soggy mess of drowned plants. My kale washed away completely and the Swiss chard looked pathetic. But we’ve traded the rain for scorching heat and dry weather. So now the garden is baking in the sun, the ground is cracking, and the mosquitoes are out in droves.

And with summer fully here, let’s think about all the outdoor activities. There are the barbecues, the summer soft ball games, golfing, swimming, hikes in nature.

We all love doing things in the summer without the cold and rain or snow of winter. But there are dangers here, too.

Make sure you stay hydrated when you’re outdoors. It’s easy to get busy and forget to drink. But over heating is a dangerous thing. I find it most difficult when swimming. Since you’re already wet, you don’t notice that you’re also sweating, making it a tricky combo.

Also, sunscreen is a thing. I know most of us know this, but a little reminder won’t hurt.

If you’re going out into nature, please cover up. I see people all the time walking around through the woods or meadows, up mountain trails, in shorts and sandals. Between the bugs, the rough terrain, and brush and brambles, a lightweight over shirt and lightweight pants would keep you protected. And don’t forget some decent shoes.

As for me, I’m editing another book right now, after releasing my latest shifter romance in June. If you’re a fan of paranormal romance and fantasy, check it out! Look for Old Flame at Amazon.

Better yet, go on over to my author blogs and see what’s happening in my writing world!

You can find me here, at MellieMiller.com or my other pen name, SultonnaNadine.com

Enjoy your summer, stay safe, and I’ll meet you again later!

And as always,

Stay safe, be healthy...

but most of all, be kind.

Thoughts on Judging

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Have you ever thought about judging? I’m specifically talking about judging other people you might meet while shopping or traveling. This is a subject which has been on my mind lately.

I suppose what I’m really talking about is condemning, or judging to condemn. It is looking at someone, judging something about them as inappropriate, or a bad choice, and possibly evil, and then condemning them out of hand.

We currently live in what is known as the Bible Belt. You would think people would be kind and forgiving, what with a church on every corner. But you might be wrong.

As I go about my business in town, I see the glances one person gives to another, because they don’t fit into their idea of what is right or acceptable. Or the person who is friendly to your face and then talks down about you behind your back.

I don’t know about you, but I have enough problems of my own. I don’t need to take on anyone else’s troubles, or worry about what they wear, how they fix their hair, or what color their hair is.

First of all, I don’t know where that person is coming from. What is in their past? What culture did the grow up in? Is there a significance to whatever it is one might condemn? Maybe you don’t like tattoos. I’v seen that look on faces in the store. Ooh, tattoos. Obviously ungodly, unchristian. Hot pink, purple, or blue hair? Probably a drug user. Avoid at all costs. Buying alcohol? Sinner! Oh, no! They vote for the other political party! We can’t be friends.

Can we just give the person a chance before we condemn them out of hand?

I don’t believe I was put on this Earth to condemn anyone else for their life choices. I don’t have to follow their example and do what they do. I don’t have to approve what they do or don’t do. I don’t have to look askance because they are atheists or gay.

And I do not have the right to judge and condemn them for following their path. They will have to answer for their own actions, as I will have to answer for mine. And who knows? They may choose to make changes later in life, which is an option up until death.

Folks, sorry for the rant, but it has been on my mind. I see it so often when I’m out, directed toward people I consider friends–even though we see some things a different way.

We can agree to disagree and enjoy those things we have in common.

So, if you’ve read this far, think about it. If you are Christian, take a look at what you’re doing, how you’re acting, and decide whether your words and actions are truly Christian. Would Jesus treat these people the way you do? After all, scripture tells us, “Judge not, lest you be judged.”

If you aren’t Christian, or religious at all, think about how someone else might view and condemn you. What is there about you someone else might condemn, as you condemn others?

And how would you feel about it?

That’s all for now. If this makes you think, I’m glad. If you agree, fantastic.

If not, you are free to have your own opinion, as are we all.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings!

Remember,

Stay safe, stay healthy, but most of all, be kind

Progressive Lenses–Yay or Nay?

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Photo by Francesco Paggiaro on Pexels.com

About two years ago, I had cataract surgery on both eyes. While they weren’t able to get my near vision back to 20/20, they were able to manage 20/30, which meant I should still wear corrective lenses for near vision.

But I also need lenses for distance vision, so they suggested progressive lenses.

And I hated them.

Now, let me explain. They were great for driving, watching TV (especially since I like to watch old programs while I knit) and around the house. They were great for grocery shopping, so I could see the signs up overhead and read labels.

They were not so good for walking through the parking lot or taking my nature walks through the woods or down our dirt and gravel road.

Why?

Let me explain.

When you walk and need to look down to watch where you’re stepping, you need to use distance lenses. But the way the lenses are made puts the distance bit is at the top of the lenses. So you wind up looking down toward your feet with the near vision part of the lenses, which does no good whatsoever. It puts everything out of focus.

I couldn’t tell how high curbs in front of the store were, or see dips and rises in the road ahead when walking. I don’t know how many times I tripped because I couldn’t actually see where I was going. I finally started tipping my glasses up and looking with just my eyes. They weren’t quite as clear as they would have been with distance glasses, but they were a lot better than with the near vision portion of the progressives.

What I wound up doing was getting a pair of single vision glasses for distance. They took a little getting used to, but I seldom trip over bumps in the road. I still don’t quite trust them when stepping over curbs.

I thought it was just me, but according to an article in the latest AARPBulletin (October 2024), The Hidden Dangers of Progressive Lenses, I’m not alone. Studies have shown that people over age 65 with multi-focal lenses are up to three times more likely to suffer falls. The stronger the near vision part of the prescription, the greater the risk.

Is it a bit of a hassle to carry a second pair of glasses and switch? Yes. But I would rather have the inconvenience than a fall that put me in the hospital.

Do I like the progressives?

I do–for driving and shopping. For driving, I can see both the road ahead and the information on the dashboard. For walking? Not at all.

So if you’re getting a new prescription and considering progressives, give it some thought. See if the provider has a program for a discount on a second pair of glasses. Or just spring for a second pair for walking.

Take care of your eyes, but don’t forget to take care of the rest of you, too.

Stay healthy, stay happy, and stay safe!

(This is one of the places where I walk.)

The Aftermath

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Sometimes the storm isn’t the worst thing to happen, in a way. It’s the aftermath. The clean-up. The hopeless, overwhelming feeling of “where do we even begin?” The helplessness of losing everything is traumatic, to say the very least.

Even if your home is mostly undamaged, the trees and power lines down, roads unmanageable, and water lines cut will take much longer to put right. Life won’t even begin to get back to normal for a long, long time.

Now, over in North Carolina, some parts of South Carolina, and Tennessee, folks are stunned by the devastation in the wake of Helene. Some smaller towns are completely gone, and with them, all the memories attached to homes, keepsakes, and personal treasures those people held dear.

But not all of the damage is physical.

The mental and emotional trauma in losing everything and having to start over is a painful burden which will be carried for years and leave scars for a lifetime.

Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers. They need help and will for months to come.

Stay safe, be healthy, but most of all, be kind.

Last Week in August?

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Already?

Where has the time gone? It seems summer just began and now we’re heading into September next week. Monday is Labor Day. Can you believe it?

Goodness me…

So what has been happening in your world this summer?

For me, my husband had shoulder surgery, so we spent a lot of time back and forth to Physical Therapy earlier. Since then, we’ve been trying to catch up on things around the house–yard work, home repairs, replacing appliances… You know the way it goes.

As far as my writing–you did know I’m an author, didn’t you?–I published one book as Sultonna Nadine earlier in the year. If you like a bit of magic and humor, go check out Whiskey Jug Genie.

I’m currently working on final edits for another book in my Gambler’s Folly series. So watch for Old Flame. It’s a mainstream sensual shifter story, with a bit of second chance in the mix, as well as a fantasy world somewhere in the galaxy.

I’m hoping to get back to this blog a bit more, with summer coming to a close and things not quite as busy.

In the meantime, remember to…

Approach each day with gratitude and wait for the magic to begin.

Sugar is Everywhere

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It seems everyone is watching their diet these days, some of us more than others due to health concerns. Since I’m a Type 2 diabetic, I’m careful to watch for hidden sugar.

But it can be tricky. The stuff turns up everywhere! I’m not talking about places you would normally expect, like desserts, but places a lot of us don’t think about.

Here are some of the ones I’ve found.

Condiments, such as ketchup, salsa, and relishes tend to have sugar. I may have found one salad dressing without sugar in it, but I usually make my own vinaigrette at home. If I’m eating out, I get the oil and vinegar to add to my salad. Even dressings I wouldn’t expect to have sugar, such as bleu cheese, can surprise you. I have found one or two brands of ketchup without sugar, but they tend to be expensive. Salsa can go either way. Just check the label before you buy.

Summer is a great time for Barbecues! But beware the sauce! While sugar of some sort helps moderate and balance the tang of the vinegar, it does horrible things for my blood glucose. I found a recipe I could modify to make my own. Experiment a little!

Particularly watch out for sauces and seasonings in the Oriental Foods aisle. All those lovely things tend to have sugar in them, even some of the chili sauces and pastes.

Seasoning Blends are another gotcha if you’re avoiding sugar. That season salt my husband loves is loaded with sugar. Garlic pepper, most rubs, and seasonings for steak and seafood can all have a hidden sugar. Most of the spice blends at the grocery store contain at least some sugar. And if you’re diabetic, starches can be a problem also and are added to help the blend flow well. Maybe a shake or two of season salt wouldn’t matter, but I prefer not to take the risk.

One I recently discovered is dry roasted peanuts. The local grocery store where I do most of my shopping has a store brand of dry roasted peanuts. The salted and lightly salted versions both contain sugar of some sort. The unsalted are just peanuts. Other stores can differ, so watch the labels.

Stewed Tomatoes were a surprise for me. The whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and petite diced are fine. But all the stewed tomatoes I’ve checked contain sugar. So does tomato soup, as do several other types of prepared soup at the grocery.

Also watch out for canned peas and carrots. Why anyone would sweeten canned carrots is beyond me, but then again, no one asked my opinion on the matter. Kidney beans are one more item to watch. A few companies don’t use sugar, but most do. I don’t know why kidney beans in particular, since most of the other beans are fine.

Of course, all manner of chili beans and baked beans have sugar, but you kind of expect that. I have found one or two brands of chili beans which are sugar free, but you really have to search.

Hope this helps you out a bit. These were just some of the things I would never have thought to look at. It pays to check all your labels when you’re shopping.

Have trouble reading all that fine print? Grab your mobile phone and snap a picture of it, and then enlarge it so you can find out exactly what is in your food.

That’s it for today.

Stay happy. Stay healthy and enjoy your summer.

Holiday Weekend!

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Can you believe we’re in the middle of summer already? With the 4th of July weekend here?

I don’t know about you, but this year has flown by.

I know the holiday was yesterday, but a lot of people are still going to be celebrating tonight and this weekend. For some, it’s difficult to visit unless you have a longer weekend for the drive.

So, barbecues, cold drinks, maybe bonfires, fireworks… All the good stuff, right?

But please stay safe. It has been dry around here lately, though they’re predicting a chance of rain tonight. Fireworks can set grass fires in dry weather, so before you celebrate too heartily, make sure there won’t be any unfortunate accidents.

And don’t forget your sunscreen while you’re sipping your sweet tea or other cold drink around the pool or the deck. It’s easy to get caught up in visiting and forget, but who wants a bodacious sunburn?

May I suggest you check at L’bri for your sun and fun products? They’re among my favorite things! I particularly like the Aloe Vera Gel. It’s perfect after too much sun. And a little bit of it goes a long way, so be careful the first time you try it!

Fireworks are a definite thing around the 4th, but they can be dangerous. Don’t add a trip to the ER this weekend.

So have fun, stay cool, and play safely.

And remember,

Always Look For the Beauty Around You

Summertime in Georgia

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And so far, it hasn’t been a particularly relaxing summer for us here. We’ve had physical therapy appointments, deaths in our pet family, and a sick puppy. To go along with that, our daughter was in an accident while driving for work and is looking at much PT and probably back surgery.

However, school is out for the summer, July is here, and its Barbecue time! Can you smell the burgers and hot dogs on the grill? And have you tried grilled veggies? We found some handy colander-looking grilling pans which work fantastically for us.

What veggies do I grill?

Cherry or grape tomatoes, with broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini squash chunks, bell peppers, and some inch long cuts of green onions. Splash a little barbecue sauce on them and keep them tossed until they’re done to your liking.

Looking for snacks for the kids?

Check out the prices at Nuts.com! I buy their mixed nuts all the time. And since I can’t eat chocolate or sugar, I get their unsweetened carob chips! They also have all kinds of trail mixes, seeds and grains, flour of all sorts (including nut flours), not to mention tea and coffee!

Aside from chocolate, I love candles. And I’ve found some new favorites over at Mythologie Candles. Right now they’re having the Christmas in July Sale, which you should check out. I’ve already been there… I love the unique scents they offer. The fact they’re inspired by fantasy helps a bit, too.

Since I write paranormal fantasy romance as well, I love to light one of the candles which suites what I’m writing or reading and settle back for the evening.

In the meantime, enjoy your summer.

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th, for those here in the States.

And remember,

Always look for the beauty around you.

It’s May Already!

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Where has the year gone? Around here, both my husband and I have had surgery, so I know that took a bit of a toll on our time. But the year is nearly half gone…

But something for you now.

I love nuts and seeds of all kinds. And instead of buying canned beans–of the dried variety–I like to cook my own sometimes and experiment with different kinds. And who doesn’t love healthy snacks?

One place I have been shopping at online for several years now is Nuts. They have a wide variety of nuts, seeds, nut flours, and grains, not to mention their variety of snacks.

If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, you could also check out their selection. There are several I love, including black currant flavored tea.

Where can you find this company? Nuts.com! If you like what you find and decide to order, you’ll get $20 off on your first order. Yes, I will get a little from the deal as well, but if you’d like to check it out without the referral, just type in nuts.com. It’ll take you right to their home page where you can shop to your hearts content.

Anyway, that’s enough from me for now. Enjoy the nice weather we’re having.

And remember,

Fill your life with love and gratitude.