I don’t have a favorite month because each month has something wonderful to offer. New Years day is a great time to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments and turn my focus to apply what I’ve learned tothe new year.
Melinda
I don’t have a favorite month because each month has something wonderful to offer. New Years day is a great time to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments and turn my focus to apply what I’ve learned tothe new year.
Melinda
As we close out the end of 2025, it’s time to look ahead at what topics are trending as we move into the new year. The topics change reguraly and my goal is to stay current in what topics you want to read about.
Looking for the Light is successful when posts are on topics you are interested in. Please drop a comment to add additional topics you want to read about. :)
I will delve into many of the topics in the coming year. Staying current on what topics you are searching for helps me learn and allows me share the knowledge with you.
Melinda
Reference:
I miss you every second of the day yet knowing we will see each other again brings me great joy.


In the leather box are the medals he was awarded and his wedding ring.
I love you.
Melinda
I would like people to see me as a warm and welcoming person but in reality it doesn’t matter because their impression is their perception and has nothing to do with who I really am. The impression of me would also be different based on who I am meeting, say I’m meeting a religious leader, I would be humbled and taking in their presence and any lessons offered and not ask questions unless the door was open. I think the impression of me is different for everyone I met.
I am not a fluffy person and my writing is more raw and to the facts. That in itself could be taken may different way. All I can do is be who I am and hope that people will give me grace.

Melinda
Enjoy!
Melinda

Melinda
I’m an American and I once was proud to say that. I still love America and it is home for me but the politics, division in the country and the rise in physical and cyber crime is very concerning. Almost 10 years ago everything changed with the focus of our government with the biggest impact is neither party working together, they out right refuse. How are they helping Americans grow?
Back to the question. I have looked at other countries as an excersis and have found the countries that live by the values and government style I perfer and way to cold. I’ve thought about Austrailia because I think in many ways we are similar and while visiting Sydney, everyone was so welcoming. It made me think I was back home in Texas.
There are locations that have crossed my mind but in reality every country has it’s issues and living in America is far less expensive than any country I researched. I would not feel right moving away from my home country but wish for some magic to turn America around to better times.
Melinda
EC is the greatest guitarist in the world! His ability to deliver notes from his guitars blow me away.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda
Meeting Ross Perot during his race for President was meaning full. Several of us were traveling back home when all the flights were stopped due to heavy snow. We looked at each othher and ask “Are we going to have to stay overnight?”.
Right about that time Ross Perot, his wife and some staffers enter the lobby. The hairs on my neck went up, he is a business legend. I was smiling and he walked right over to me, shaking my hand. We chatted a moment, with his wife by his side. I mentioed we were grounded due to weather and then we said our goodbyes.
Minutes latter Mrs. Perot came back and offered me a ride on their plane so I could get home that night. It was wonderful gesture and no doubt would be a chance of a lifetime yet I could not acccept the offer. My confidence dipped thinking about being in there presence, what you I have interesting to talk about and after arriving home, I still needed a ride. It felt like to much to ask.
Looking back, the adventious me would have jumped at the chance.
Melinda
Improving your cooking skills is never a bad idea. Around 28% of Americans admit to having little or no skills in the kitchen. Everyone needs to eat, and preparing your own healthy, home-cooked meals can help you improve your health, reduce your reliance on junk or processed food and help you learn skills you can apply in other areas of your life too.
That being said, not everyone is a natural in the kitchen, and you only need to watch one of the many cooking shows to see the lack of skills some possess when it comes to whipping up meals. Hence, finding tips and hacks that can allow you to still eat well without the effort is an excellent way to build confidence in the kitchen to build on this and further improve your skills.
Read on for some tips to hack cooking and help you become a better cook and enjoy better meals and improved health.
Slow cookers are a great way to help you eat better and also cut down on the prep work involved while building up your skill set. You can use low cookers for a wide range of meals, from soups and stews to pasta dishes and even desserts. Why not try this chicken cacciatore for an easy go-to midweek meal? The beauty of slow cookers is that, generally, you put everything together and let it do its thing. There is physically minimal prep depending on the meal or dessert you are making.
While you need to know your way around a knife for cooking, different knives have different uses; in the early stages or to cut down on prep work using kitchen gadgets such as mandolins for slicing and chopping blenders can help you out in a pinch, and get the ingredients prepped while you get to grips with cutting and chopping. Multi-tools, chopping boards with measures on, splash guards, and more can all come in useful throughout your cooking journey.
If you are prepping for your meals and practicing your skills, try bulk prepping or meal prep to help you out for future cooks. It can be tricky initially to get your technique sorted or to make the right quantities, so making more on purpose not only gives you more practice but can also give you some bits ready-made that you can use to help your next creation a bit easier.
One of the best tips you can have when learning to cook or expanding your skills is to preheat. Preheat your pan, oven, grill, etc. Never pour your oil into a cold pan, and always check that your oven is at the right temperature before popping food in to ensure an even cook. It can be worth investing in a thermometer if needed for your cooking appliances and your food to ensure everything is at the right temperature.
A kitchen is a place where you can have fun and get creative, but learning the basics will go a long way in helping you to create some fabulous meals. Start simple, and build your way up to more complex dishes to really make a move from beginner to Masterchef.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
We can never repay our Veteran’s but we can honor and show our appreciation for the risk they signed up for and the personal hardships.In a perfect world, wars would not happen, but the reality is if you look back in time, we’ve been fighting since the beginning. It is a crazy time in the world and you can bet the Military is working hard to keep to keep all Americans safe and free.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
The next time you see a Veteran, thank them, sit with them and if’s your personality give them a hug.
Thank a Veteran!
Melinda
References:

But it’s coffee to the rescue. When examining prior studies on the effects of diet and exercise on mood, researchers noted a correlation between coffee consumption and increased mood. Specifically, they found that consuming 75mg of caffeine—roughly one cup of coffee—once every four hours “could result in a pattern of sustained mood improvement over the course of the day.” Mood, energy, alertness, and concentration were all improved by participants in the study, per the Independent.
But it’s more than caffeine. Giuseppe Grosso, an assistant professor at the University of Catania in Italy and lead author, states that some of coffee’s macronutrients may also be having a positive effect on the brain. Per Gross, polyphenols may be able to pass from the blood into the brain, where they can have anti-neuroinflammatory effects as well as aid in the formation of new neurons. These could additionally help in easing the risk of affective disorders like SAD.
With the weather changing, chances are you may be drinking more coffee already. And as luck would have it, drinking coffee may be doing you more good than you knew.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
Melinda
Prasenjeet is a excellent photographer and what I love about his post is he often breaks down the technical aspects of the photo. I’ve learned so much from him. Please stop by his blog and say hello.
In-House Photographer vs Commercial Photographer
📌 Introduction In today’s digital era, visuals are not just photographs — they represent brand identity, customer trust, and the foundation of sales. This is why companies face a crucial decision: Should they rely on an in-house photographer or hire an expert commercial photographer? Many brands assume that in-house photographers are a cost-saving option. However, when growth, … Continue reading
Melinda
I’ve reposted this post several times over the years and 2010 was the original post. It’s critical to acknowledge how difficult life is for a caregiver and to think of ways to support them.
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Each day was a roller coaster of how he felt and how exhausted I was. I learned so much being a caregiver to my grandmother and grandfather. As the population ages, many of you will take on the responsibility. One of the most difficult changes was going from granddaughter to caregiver. Even at 92 my grandfather had a strong mind and felt he didn’t need help. I pray for strength every day.
My grandfather died in 2010 at the young age of 92 years old. I spent more time with him in 2010 year than I spent at home. I cherish the time we had together, no matter how painful. They are my memories and my life changed forever with his death. His health declined so fast that for two days I did not realize that he was dying now, not in a couple of weeks. He was at home under hospice care and would not get in the hospital bed until two days before he passed. He fell out of bed that morning, he was so weak it was difficult for me to get him back in bed. I don’t think we would have been able to talk him into moving to the hospital bed if he had not fallen. For him the bed meant death and he was still fighting. My grandfather had End Stage Kidney Disease. An emergency trip to the hospital for his AFIB is how we learned he had about two months to live. We knew his kidneys were losing function but I was not ready for a timeline. His doctor had not given me that impression on a recent visit so I asked her to review the hospital records. I was not surprised but very saddened that she agreed with the prognosis. It took a couple weeks for my grandfather to believe the doctors were right. Kidney failure is a silent killer and luckily not a painful one. You start sleeping more until you sleep yourself into a coma.
I arrived on Sunday afternoon after two days of relief and he didn’t look any different. Monday morning I knew he was out of it by the things he was saying but thought it was a bad day. Tuesday I knew he was weak when he fell out of bed and felt like dead weight. It took everything in me to get him back in bed. My grandfather died on Thursday. What the doctors did not tell me is people his age die faster, the end came weeks sooner than we thought. I’m so thankful that my grandfather and I had time together to say what we wanted to say, cry about the loss and enjoy the memories. I have no regrets.
Cleaning out the house was so hard, 46 years of memories were everywhere. My grandmother left notes on everything, it was like mourning her death as I found each note. Notes on the back of photos, on little pieces of paper, and even on masking tape. I knew all the notes were there, we had looked at them many times but it was different this time. Everything was packed up this time and the house cleared out. My grandparents raised me so I’ve lost parents, they were the best you could ever pray for. The house is empty but I see my life in every room, the great memories with my grandparents are everywhere you look. I am starting a new chapter in my life. It’s a long journey ahead.
Melinda
Repost from 2010
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
It took me years to set limits on myself, especially when I was single. In 2017 I opened my now closed X account and the numbers of hours spent waisting time, I can’t get back. My phone and computer were like an appendege. I’m proud of myself for realizing it was affecting my mental health and my sleeping issues.
Changing habits is hard to do, it doesn’t happen overnight. My change started several years ago by focusing on sleeping habits to reduce anxiety. I go to bed an hour before bedtime, in that hour the goal is to unwind, clearing my head is necessary to falling asleep. Self-care helps the process, like an ultrusonic diffuser with calming essential oils, using a roller ball of essential oil on your pulse points, and indulging in hand & body cream. The room is dark, no electronics and a bit cooler.

What has made the biggest difference is cutting the time spent watching news in half and not spending time on the computer after 6:00PM, it sounds crazy yet my brain wakes up and it’s hard to wind down. When I hear my husband coming to bed I’m normally rested and ready to sleep. One key is being consistant with the time spent before bedtime.
A blessing and curse happened in January, all of my personal information was released is a large data breach, I’m now exposed for the rest of my life for identity theft. I had to change every password, get new credit cards, add second step authorizations and I decided to close all social accounts. The last step the easiest.
All changes require determination, commitment, and consistency.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

Melinda
I found his cell phone in the ashtray along with ten pairs of fingernail clippers, a knife, a small pair of scissors, a Corona Light bottle top, and three nickles and nine pennies.
On top is my favorite knife, the camping type with a fork and spoon, he gave to me when I was little, and a paper-towel covers them all. It’s been over eight years since I’ve stayed awhile with the memeries held in the ashtray.
The ashtray sat by my grandparent’s telephone for as long as I can remember. They didn’t believe in buying something new unless it was broken or you could no longer use it. The ashtray was very useful.
When I removed the paper towel today, the memories of my gramps came flooding back like a wave.
“If you’re going to be late to work, don’t go in.”
“If you can get out of bed, you can go to work”
“If you borrow something, give it back in better shape than when you borrowed it.”

He taught me responsibility and accountability.
He also taught me to drive. I was fourteen, we went to the river bottoms, two metal trashcans in the back of the 1969 Ambassador. He set them apart the right distance and had me practice until nightfall. I was still knocking down cans when we left. I did pass my driver’s test though.
One of the hardest memories was weeks before his death, telling him to call friends and family to let them know he was dying. Sitting in front of him, I dialed the numbers, handing him the phone and listened as he cried telling people he was no longer going to be here. It was one of the most difficult days of my life.
My gramps was the greatest man I’ve ever known, a true gentleman, a stand-up guy, God broke the mold when he made my gramps.
I found his cell phone in the ashtray……
Melinda
Repost form 2020
The FDA announced that various doses of prazosin hydrochloride have been voluntarily recalled
Drug makers have recalled more than 500,000 bottles of a blood pressure medication over concerns it may include a cancer-causing chemical.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and drugs distributor Amerisource Health Services issued voluntary nationwide recalls for various doses of prazosin hydrochloride, according to the Associated Press.
The drug makers said the pill capsules may have nitrosamine impurities — or “No-nitroso Prazosin impurity C” — that are considered potentially cancer causing. About 580,000 bottles of various strengths have been recalled for having the impurities.
The FDA classified the recall as having a Class II risk level, “in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
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A statement from the California State Board of Pharmacy reads: “According to the Health Hazard Assessment by Teva USA, exposure to the product of concern could lead to severe adverse health consequences, but the likelihood of harm was assessed as remote. The overall risk of harm in the patient population is considered to be medium.’
The recalled bottles included 181,659 of 1 mg bottles, 291,512 of 2 mg bottles and 107,673 of 5 mg bottles. The bottles may have up to 1,000 capsules each with expiration dates ranging from November 2025 to February 2028.
The lot numbers and expiration dates can be found on the FDA’s website.
According to the AARP, anyone who has affected medication should contact their doctor or pharmacy for specific guidance, return their medication to the pharmacy to dispose of it, and to report any side effects or issues to the FDA.
The Mayo Clinic states that prazosin is prescribed to patients to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which can cause the heart and arteries to not function properly and then damage brain, heart and kidneys. It can also result in a stroke, heart failure or kidney failure.
The medication is also sometimes prescribed for nightmares and other sleep disturbances caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the AP.
Play it safe!
Melinda
Reference:
On October 2, 1985, actor Rock Hudson, 59, becomes the first major U.S. celebrity to die of complications from AIDS. Hudson’s death raised public awareness of the epidemic, which until that time had been ignored by many in the mainstream as a “gay plague.”
Hudson, born Leroy Harold Scherer Jr., on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, was a Hollywood heartthrob whose career in movies and TV spanned nearly three decades. With leading-man good looks, Hudson starred in numerous dramas and romantic comedies in the 1950s and 60s, including Magnificent Obsession, Giant and Pillow Talk. In the 1970s, he found success on the small screen with such series as McMillan and Wife. To protect his macho image, Hudson’s off-screen life as a gay man was kept secret from the public.
On October 2, 1965, a team of scientists invent Gatorade, a sports drink to quench thirst, in a University of Florida lab. The name “Gatorade” is derived from the nickname of the university’s sports teams. Eventually, the drink becomes a phenomenon and makes its inventors …read more
The former French colony of Guinea declares its independence on October 2, 1958, with Sekou Toure as the new nation’s first leader. Guinea was the sole French West African colony to opt for complete independence, rather than membership in the French Community, and soon …read more
Chief Justice Earl Warren swears in Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. As chief counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the 1940s and ’50s, Marshall was the architect and executor of the legal …read more
On October 2, 1941, the Germans begin their surge to Moscow, led by the 1st Army Group and Gen. Fedor von Bock. Russian peasants in the path of Hitler’s army employ a “scorched-earth” policy. Hitler’s forces had invaded the Soviet Union in June, and early on it had become one …read more
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
I think everyone needs to know they matter, their life matters, health matters, with that foundation we can move forward on solid ground.

Melinda
A few changes can lead to significant benefits. This also applies to our health. Making some changes in our daily life we can put the first elements in motion for a complete rebirth. If you suffer with a chronic illness, it is even more important to start looking after your health and boosting your immune system. If you have a disability, even if you use a mobility scooter, you still try to move, only gently, if possible. Mobile scooters give disabled people the independence that they deserve and coupled with excellent diet and lifestyle, you can start to regain some confidence and happiness.

Vegetables are divided into two categories: starchy and non-starchy. Starchy vegetables are potatoes, corn and beans, non-starchy are spinach and other leafy vegetables, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Starchy vegetables have more calories than non-starchy ones. So by filling half the plate with non-starchy vegetables you ensure that you will receive all the necessary nutrients, water and fiber, but without many extra calories. It’s an easy strategy not to bother with calorie and portion counting. Processed carbohydrates, have almost no nutrients and no fiber. The only thing they have is calories that can make you gain weight.
In fact, a diet rich in processed carbohydrates – white bread, buns, white pastries, sweets, etc. – can increase the risk of developing type II diabetes and heart disease. Get rid of the bad habits! Unprocessed carbohydrates such as brown rice and whole grains enhance your diet with “good” calories, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fatty fish such as salmon are an excellent source of omega – 3 fats, which are essential for good heart health and reducing inflammation in the body. They also enhance mental health. Drink green tea because this is going to be important to those with disabilities as it helps work as a toxin remover.
Quality sleep is the alpha and omega for health. And one of the things that destroys it is technology. Devices that emit “blue light”, a type of wave that is common during the day, “confuse” the brain, making it think it is morning. So by avoiding screen time before bed, you can improve the quality of sleep.
In addition to poor sleep quality, many people have trouble sleeping. This is largely due to poor rest planning. Having a specific time when you fall asleep, you train your body clock so that you can fall asleep more easily. At the same time, scheduled bedtime has a positive effect on concentration and memory.
t may seem very low on the list of things you have to do, but it is important to keep up with those regular health checks. Whether that is booking a hearing check at your local hearing center, or heading to the optician to get your eyes checked, these things are important to keep up the quality of life that you have.
Even a little negativity is enough to get you down. Try to spend more time with happy and optimistic people. If you have negative people in your inner circle, try to convey some of your positive thinking to them and change the direction. The rest is up to you and how you treat yourself. Don’t be hard on yourself and appreciate all the little things. Remember self-care is not selfish.
Collaborative Post
Melinda
Repost
You can find the entire list of Awareness Months, Weeks and Days by clicking here.
Native American Heritage Month
COPD Awareness Month
Diabetes Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
Melinda