Category: everyday musings

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! Come link up with us!

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn everyday musings, Weekend Traffic Jam6 Comments

Welcome to the Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot where we offer a place for bloggers to link up and get a fresh set of eyes on their posts. We also feature one blog a week, letting our readers know about the blog and providing a link so readers can learn more about them.

Look for the post to go live about 9:30 PM EST on Thursdays.

I am going to have to be short and sweet today because I spent all  day watching the tree cutters remove a 200-foot tree from in front of our house today and almost forgot to finish my  post!

Watching the tree be cut down was bittersweet. I loved that old tree, but it was getting a bit old and we didn’t know if it could topple on to our house or our neighbor’s house so the neighbors (who are amazing) paid to have it removed. Watching it be cut down and up was so cool and I’ll be writing about it on my blog for Saturday. They are, in fact, still finishing up as I write this.

Your hosts for the link up:

Marsha from Marsha in the Middle started blogging in 2021 as an exercise in increasing her neuroplasticity.  Oh, who are we kidding?  Marsha started blogging because she loves clothes, and she loves to talk or, in this case, write!  

Melynda from Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household  – The name says it all, we homestead in East Texas, with three generations sharing this land. I cook and bake from scratch, between gardening and running after the chickens, and knitting! 

Lisa from Boondock Ramblings shares about the fiction she writes and reads, her faith, homeschooling, photography and more. 

Sue from Women Living Well After 50 started blogging in 2015 and writes about living an active and healthy lifestyle, fashion, book reviews and her podcast and enjoying life as a woman over 50.  She invites you to join her living life in full bloom.

We would love to have additional Co-Hosts to share in the creativity and fun! If you think this would be a good fit for you and you like having fun (come on, who doesn’t!) while still being creative, drop one of us an email and someone will get back with you!

WTJR will be highlighting a different blogger each week this year! We invite you to stop by their blog, take a look around and say hello!

This week we are spotlighting: Moo is Van Me

Here are some posts I enjoyed this week (though I really enjoy so many posts from this link up!!)

|| How I Did With My Winter Bucket List by My Slices of Life ||



|| Eye of the Storm Photos of Paul McCartney by Adventures in Weseland ||

|| Exciting Things to Do Before Turning 65 by Deb’s World ||

|| A Drapery Trick: More Stock Up On What I have by Debbie Dabble Blog ||

Thank you so much for joining us for our link-up! Please remember that this is a link-up where you can share posts from the previous week or posts from weeks, months, or years ago. All we ask is that they be “family-friendly.”

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

Discussing The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries Show episode, The Mystery of the Haunted House.

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn cozy mystery shows, everyday musings, what we’re watching9 Comments

A few months ago, I wrote about the first Nancy Drew-centered episode of the Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries show from the 1970s — The Mystery of Pirate’s Cove.

The show featured 46 episodes from 1977 to 1979 on ABC.

For those who aren’t familiar with the source material for this show, it was based on The Hardy Boys books by Franklin W.  Dixon and the Nancy Drew Mystery series by Carolyn Keene. Both series were ghostwritten by a number of different authors and created by Edward Stratemeyer in the 1930s.

For the first season of the show, the episodes switched back and forth each week with one week featuring The Hardy Boys and the next week featuring Nancy Drew. During the next season they began combining the two so that The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew were in the same episode. This had to do with falling ratings – especially when it came to the Nancy Drew episodes. Somewhere in there the original actress —  Pamela Sue Martin — also left and was replaced by Janet Louise Johnson.

Overall, this series is a bit cheesy and cringy, but I do have to say I don’t think they did too bad for the first episode. I mean – it isn’t award winning and the special effects are bizarre, but it is an interesting plot and the acting isn’t the worst I’ve ever seen.

The show starts with the brothers — Jo and Frank Hardy — in town and spotting their father walking out of a hotel. We aren’t told if the brothers were just driving by or why they are outside the hotel when their dad walks out but through conversation between them, we learn that their dad said he was going fishing. They can’t figure out why he would lie to them.

They plan to ask him but then a car pulls out behind their dad’s car. This makes them realize that their dad is being followed so they rev up their trusty little motorcycles (helmets firmly in place first, of course) and decide they are going to follow whoever is following their dad and find out what is going on.

We are then at a cemetery and the boys’ dad is shining a flashlight on a tombstone with the name Will Bronson engraved on it. Bronson has a death date of the year 1974.

The boys don’t see this part with the tombstone, but we the viewers do. What the boys see is that their dad Fenton Hardy, is being followed.

They go back to their dad’s office the next morning and ask their dad’s secretary what she knows. She says she booked a hotel for their dad for  his fishing trip. They, however, find out their dad checked out that day. The secretary shrugs and assures them their dad will be home later in the day then and he will fill them in.

The problem is that Fenton has been cornered and essentially kidnapped by two men. These same men want to know who hired him on his latest case but won’t tell him who they are. We still don’t know who they are when they break into Fenton’s home late that night looking for his client’s name.

They are also very loud for two men who are trying to secretly break into a home, but let’s not quibble with such minor ridiculousness. It’s just TV and there are many more ridiculous moments to come.

Eventually we learn that Fenton’s client was a government agent suspected of stealing government secrets and selling them to a foreign entity. It’s not as cut and dry as it seems because he may have also suffered some sort of amnesia and he’s wandering around the countryside, trying to get away or hide or something or other.

This mystery will have the boys looking for clues in some pretty strange places, including a “haunted” mansion that isn’t what it seems.

As always when I watch an episode with the actors who play The Hardy Boys — Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy – I am fascinated by their fluffy hair. It’s so luscious and soft looking. Ah, the ‘70s, a time when both men and women had impeccable hair.

Anyhow, I digress… during this episode poor Aunt Gertrude, Fenton’s sister (I believe), is beside herself with worry. No one will tell her what is going on and she must be the go between the boys and their dad as they both chase each other all over the place. She keeps asking all three “boys” to be careful and they just scoff and say things like, “Yeah. Yeah. Okay, Aunt Gert,” like she’s the most annoying thing ever. They might as well say, “Whatever you crazy old bat.”

I just think these “boys” should be grateful they have someone to look after them and who cares enough to be worried.

What was with all these books killing off the mothers and having live in housekeepers or aunts anyhow? Nancy Drew’s mom was also dead, and she and her dad had a live in housekeeper named Hannah. Yes, I know I mentioned this in my last post about the show. Yes, I will probably mention it again because I am becoming an lady who forgets what I already wrote about and tells the same stories over and over again.

Also, Fenton’s secretary is about the boy’s age and seems to be a minor character but at the end of the episode, we get the idea she and Frank are dating when she gives Frank a kiss on the cheek. For whatever that tidbit is worth.

I won’t go into too much detail about the episode’s plot because I know so many of you are just dying to go look this series up and binge watch it, *wink* but I will say that you should brace yourself for the creepy scenes in the haunted house and the scary “monsters.”

Someone put the whole series up for free on YouTube and you can find the playlist here:

In my next post on this topic (not necessarily my next post on the blog), I will be writing about The Mystery of The Diamond Triangle, which was an episode that featured Nancy Drew.

Do you remember this old series or have you heard of it at least? It was not something I ever heard of before last year and now I’m a bit hooked.

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! Come link up with us!

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn everyday musings4 Comments

Welcome to the Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot where we offer a place for bloggers to link up and get a fresh set of eyes on their posts. We also feature one blog a week, letting our readers know about the blog and providing a link so readers can learn more about them.

Look for the post to go live about 9:30 PM EST on Thursdays.

It is the first day of spring! I am so excited for spring! Our week was okay but there were some cruddy days, especially this one, so hoping for a better weekend and week next week. It is going to be colder next week, though.

Your hosts for the link up:

Marsha from Marsha in the Middle started blogging in 2021 as an exercise in increasing her neuroplasticity.  Oh, who are we kidding?  Marsha started blogging because she loves clothes, and she loves to talk or, in this case, write!  

Melynda from Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household  – The name says it all, we homestead in East Texas, with three generations sharing this land. I cook and bake from scratch, between gardening and running after the chickens, and knitting! 

Lisa from Boondock Ramblings shares about the fiction she writes and reads, her faith, homeschooling, photography and more. 

Sue from Women Living Well After 50 started blogging in 2015 and writes about living an active and healthy lifestyle, fashion, book reviews and her podcast and enjoying life as a woman over 50.  She invites you to join her living life in full bloom.

We would love to have additional Co-Hosts to share in the creativity and fun! If you think this would be a good fit for you and you like having fun (come on, who doesn’t!) while still being creative, drop one of us an email and someone will get back with you!

WTJR will be highlighting a different blogger each week this year! We invite you to stop by their blog, take a look around and say hello!

This week we are spotlighting Krafty Planner!

Marie says of her blog:

I’m Maria—a blogger, writer, planning + journaling expert, and creator. With this blog and supporting online courses, I help multi-passionate women, like you, establish systems & routines that will help you achieve your goals and become your best self. 🙂

P.S. Not that it matters (too much), but I do enjoy designing and creating all of the printables myself. I take pride in designing each piece from scratch, ensuring they’re unique. No templates or PLR here – just genuine creations crafted exclusively for you. 😊
Thank you for being part of our link up!

Some posts I highlighted from last week’s links:

|| Silent Movies Thief of Bagdad by Cat’s Wire ||

|| Camo With Teal For Spring by Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom ||



|| Cabbage New Potato and Onion Skillet by Scratch Made Food Hungry ||

|| Hello Friday 12 by Elevated Nesting ||

Thank you so much for joining us for our link-up! Please remember that this is a link-up where you can share posts from the previous week or posts from weeks, months, or years ago. All we ask is that they be “family-friendly.”

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

Happy Homemaker Monday!

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn everyday musings14 Comments

Today I am joining up with Diary of a Stay At Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday!

The weather…..

It has been rainy and gloomy the last couple of days but warm. Today it is going to be rainy again.


Right now I am….

Sipping hot cocoa as I type.


Thinking….

Of my son graduating from high school in a couple of months and, if I am honest, I’m worrying about it all and his future.


On my reading pile….

The Case of the Careless Kitten by Erle Stanley Gardner, The Real James Herriot by Jim Wight, and The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien


On my TV…..

I’ve been watching my favorite YouTuber, Just A Few Acres Farm, this past week to try to slow my racing mind. https://www.youtube.com/@JustaFewAcresFarm


Favorite blog post last week (mine or other)….


Something fun to share….

My daughter and I are going to learn how to paint pysanky eggs for easter this week at an event hosted by our local library.


Blog hopping (newly discovered blog)….

Like Sunshine in the Home


On the menu for this week….

I am going to try to make egg rolls in a bowl and also pulled pork this week. I hope to fry some chicken tenders with mashed potatoes too.


On my to do list….

I have to do the dishes today. Yuck. It’s my least favorite household chore. I also need to continue writing book four of my cozy mystery series.


In the craft basket….

I have watercolors and junk journal supplies in my craft basket


Looking forward to this week….

I am looking forward to the egg painting class with my daughter.


Looking around the house….

Looking around the house, I need to do some cleaning later today! And organize the school books for homeschool.


From the camera….

I didn’t get a chance to use my camera this week but I did take a couple photos  on my phone of Little Miss and I painting on the back porch on Friday.


On my prayer list…..

The health of my parents and our finances.


Bible verse, Devotional….

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

In addition to my blog, I write cozy mysteries. You can learn more about my books here: https://lisahoweler.com/my-books-2/

You can also find me on Instagram or Facebook (www.instagram.com/lisarhoweler) (www.facebook.com/lisarhowelerauthor)

Book recommendation: Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go To Funerals

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn book reviews, books and reading, everyday musings6 Comments

Title: Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go To Funerals
Author: Sharon Mondragon

Release date: February 11, 2025

Description:

In a small town where gossip flows like sweet tea, bedridden Mary Ruth McCready reigns supreme, doling out wisdom and meddling in everyone’s business with a fervor that would make a matchmaker blush. When her best friend, Charlotte Harrington, has her world rocked by a scandalous revelation from her dying husband P. B., Mary Ruth kicks into high gear, commandeering the help of her favorite granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth, in tracking down the truth. Finding clues in funeral condolence cards and decades-old gossip dredged up at the Blue Moon Beauty Emporium, the two stir up trouble faster than you can say “pecan pie.”

And just when things are starting to look up, in waltzes Camilla “Millie” Holtgrew, a blast from P. B.’s past, with a grown son and an outrageous claim to Charlotte’s inheritance. But as Grandma Ruth always says when things get tough, “God is too big.” With him, nothing is impossible–even bringing long-held secrets to light. Grandma Ruth and Sarah just might have to ruffle a whole mess of feathers to do it.

MY THOUGHTS: I absolutely loved this book. I wasn’t sure how it was going to be categorized at first but as I continued it, I decided it was a cozy mystery with no murder. No matter what genre it fits in, it is a super cute, super well-written, and hilarious book that I could not put down.

I actually read this on Hoopla so I had to read it on my phone. I hate reading on my phone but didn’t mind for this book because it was so entertaining. I will be buying a paperback to add to my physical book collection because I do plan to read it again in the future.

The characters in this book are super charming, funny, and lovable.

A little background on the book: Sarah McCready is the granddaughter of Mary Ruth McGready, the family matriarch who can’t leave home anymore after falling and injuring her hip. Before her injury she was always busy and attending community functions, including funerals. Now that she can’t attend funerals or other events, she sends Sarah for her and then asks for a report when Sarah gets home.

Sarah, 24, is used to this by now but things are a little different when Preston Bentley “P.B.” Harrington, a founding member of a local, prestigious law firm, dies. His widow, Charlotte Harrington, gets a bit tipsy at the viewing and blurts out to some friends, including Sarah, that right before he died PB told her, “I loved you more than Millie.”

“Then I said, ‘What? What do you mean? Who’s Millie? You tell me this instant, Preston Bentley Harrington!’ But it was too late. He let out a long, slow sigh and was gone. The love of my life was gone, and I was so mad at him, Mary Ruth. I was so mad!”

Grandma Ruth and Sarah are on the case to find out who Millie was or is. Sarah is worried PB cheated on his wife, but Grandma Ruth is determined he didn’t.

Miss Charlotte’s grandson, Preston, chauffeurs his grandmother around and is often there when Sarah is “investigating”. This gives Grandma Ruth and Miss Harrington an idea about Sarah and Preston but Sarah can’t think of a relationship with anyone since she’s still trying to shake Jake Halloran, who dumped her for a prospect who would give him what he wanted, shall we say.

There were so many witty, funny, and sweet lines in this book.

“His figure was as trim as Rhett Butler’s mustache.”

“I hear what you are saying to yourself. “She’s a grown woman, a college graduate. Why doesn’t she just say no?” Well, I dare you to come by the house when Mary Ruth McGready really wants something done and see how you do. Right. I’ll save you a seat at the funeral she wants you to attend.”

“But she’s sadder than most widows,” I said. “She’s afraid she lost him long before he died. She’s afraid she lost the fairy tales she’s believed in all these years that she was his one and only forever love. If I can get her love story back, she won’t have as much to grieve over as she does now.”

“How like Miss Charlotte to think of me when she was so sad herself, even if she was wrong about what I was feeling. As I sat with her at Fontanelli’s on her first Valentine’s Day as a widow, I wanted to wipe away not only her tears but the sadness in her kind and thoughtful heart.”

“My grandmother shook her head. “Sometimes I almost despair of you Sarah. Have you learned nothing about how a Southern lady handles the weaker sex? All that’s wrong with him is a severely bruised ego.”

I would definitely recommend this as a light, cozy, and clean read.

I read on the author’s website that this is the first in a series and I am so excited to read more about Grandma Ruth and Sarah in future books.

Clean level: This is a very, very clean book with a touch of faith and romance. Very small amounts of both.

One content warning: This book does discuss death quite often but handles it in a very humorous, kind, and respectful way.

You can find the book anywhere books are sold.

In addition to my blog, I write cozy mysteries. You can learn more about my books here: https://lisahoweler.com/my-books-2/

You can also find me on Instagram or Facebook

Middle Grade March Reads

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn books and reading, everyday musings9 Comments

I don’t participate in book challenges very often but this month I am participating in Middle Grade March.

This is the month when adults read chapter books that were actually written for children. Sometimes, they are so good that we don’t even realize they were written for children.

I read a lot of these books throughout the year because I have a middle-grade child. She and I have already read many of the books other readers have on their lists each year.

This year I decided I wanted to read Miracles on Maple Hill with Little Miss since I read it last March and really enjoyed it. I like that it takes place in Pennsylvania around maple syrup season which is this time of year. I also just like the overall story.

I also decided to read The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis because I haven’t read all of the Chronicles of Narnia since I was about middle-grade age myself.

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery is one that has been recommended to me a couple of times so I also put that on my list.

I hope to also get to Violet Jenkins Saves The Day by Stacy Faubion and The Moffats by Eleanor Estes. I will at least get to Violet by April since I’ve been meaning to read it for a few months now.

Do you participate in Middle Grade March, or have you?

If you have, what did you read or if you are this month, what are you reading?

Winter of Fairbanks Jr.: The Sun Never Sets (1939)

On By Lisa R. HowelerIn classic movie impressions, everyday musings, Movie Impresssions, Winter of Fairbanks Jr.5 Comments

This winter I watched Douglas Fairbanks Jr. movies for fun.

This week for the last movie of the series,  I watched The Sun Never Sets (1939) starring Douglas, Basil Rathbone, Barbara O’Neil and Virginia Fields.

It was directed by Rowland Lee.

Before I launch into my feelings about the movie, here is the plot, without spoilers, copied from Google:

Two British brothers (Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Basil Rathbone) squelch a radio-made dictator on the Gold Coast of Africa.

Oh. Well, that wasn’t much of a description.

A little more for you: This movie is about a brother (Douglas) who doesn’t want to go into the miliary like the rest of his family but is shamed into it by his grandfather who says what an honor it is to fight for the empire and by his brother who says there is no greater love than to leave ones family to fight for the empire.

Even his fiancé (Virginia Fields) begins to feel like her future brother and sister-in-law’s love is enviable because their relationship was strengthened during their time together on the Gold Coast.

So poor John Randolph (Douglas) is broken down and signs up for the military to take his brother, Clive Randolph’s (Basil Rathbone) place in Africa, which Clive’s wife hated. Once John agrees to capitulate and follow in the footsteps of all his family members, risking himself for the Empire, Clive is then called up for a secret mission and also has to return to the Golf Coast. He tells his wife she can’t come because she’s pregnant but she loves him and is determined to be with him.

Her pregnancy becomes a source of stress for poor ole Clive who must choose between being there for his wife when she gets sick from walking in the rain (because everyone knows that walking in the rain automatically means you get sick) and capturing a bad guy who wants to (I kid you not) take over the world.

For me this is a British propaganda movie similar to the American propaganda movies that actors like Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart were in around World War II.

My overall view on the movie: It is about restoring ones reputation for the sake of the Empire when you choose to help your family instead of completing your mission for the British Army and furthering their take over of African nations.

The movie does touch on the difficulties of serving one’s country while also being there for their family but by the end we are reminded how important it is for a British man to have a reputation as a fine soldier even more so than having a reputation as a weak man who cares about his pregnant wife.

There is forgiveness between the brothers for the failings of one brother that cost Clive being able to capture a criminal and that was nice. Not sure if the forgiveness had been there if he had failed yet again though.

 “Failing the empire twice?! My God, John! Once I can understand but twice! You’ll have to work as a dirty businessman and get rich and stand on the heads of poor people in another way now!”

One review online said this movie was more focused on family relationships than anything else and I suppose that is true. But it was also wrapped up in making sure the men were loyal to the Empire, the King, etc. while also having a family.

I was absolutely baffled by the one part where a brother chooses to bring the other brother back from a mission because his wife is dying and then the first brother is ostracized by the sister-in-law he saves. Apparently, she’d rather be dead than go back to England with a husband shamed for failing his military assignment. Just … what?!

So, this movie really wasn’t my favorite of those I have watched as part of the Fairbanks Jr. marathon, though I didn’t hate it as much as I hated Gunga Din. This movie still made sure to remind us that the British were all-knowing and that the natives of the land wouldn’t have survived without them (har. Har.) but at least refrained from calling them all savages like they did in Gunga Din.

There are a couple of movies of Douglas’s that I wish I had chosen instead of this one but I’ve seen Rathbone in Sherlock Holmes movies so figured it wouldn’t hurt to see him in something else. He is a very good actor so saying I don’t like this movie is not a slight on him or any of the actors. They did a nice job. I just didn’t enjoy the movie overall. It was somewhat like an infomercial for British military recruitment.

The author of Basilrathbone.net enjoyed the movie and was able to overlook the flaws.

“While I can point out several flaws with the film, the fine performances by the cast brought the characters to life, making them very real. I really cared about what happened to the characters and I was so caught up in the drama, that I hardly noticed or cared that the plot was rather contrived. Rathbone and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. have some great scenes together.”

This was essentially a military recruitment film, though, the writer admits.

“Universal had high hopes for this story of the British Colonial Service. In 1939, when this film was made, the British civil services administered to more than 500 million people over territory that covered 13 million square miles all over the world.”

Time Magazine did not like the film at all based on this review:

“Only slightly more agonizing than young Mr. Fairbanks’ throes in putting this subversive two & two together is the sight of middle-aged Mr. Rathbone, as a sort of Imperial Rover Boy, lashing about the jungle in bush jacket and shorts, caught barekneed between Love & Duty.” —Time magazine, June 19, 1939

Ouch.

They weren’t alone in their dislike of the film based on the reviews posted on this article on Basilrathbone.net.

By the way, I enjoyed reading the article about this movie on this site. There is a ton of information about Basil and his other movies there as well so I will be exploring it more.

This ends my Douglas Fairbanks Jr. marathon. If you want to read my impressions of the other movies I watched you can find them here:

https://lisahoweler.com/movie-reviews-impressions/

Up next in April, Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs and I will be watching movies set in Paris. We will be announcing our movie list at a later date. Stay tuned!