Joan Reeves: January 2026

A Hump Day Tale - The God of Frolic

Henry Ward Beecher said: "The dog was created specially for children. He is a god of frolic."

Freddie, seen at left in a picture my daughter made, fits that description to a T.

He stayed with us while our daughter and her hubby went to Germany for Christmas. One day my Darling Hubby baked a frozen deep dish pizza for lunch.

He placed it on a round serving board on the kitchen island and cut it into slices. I had a slice. He had two. I went back to my office, knowing he would handle the leftovers.

When I returned to the kitchen, the pizza was gone so I figured he had stored the leftover pizza in the fridge.

At lunch time the next day, I suggested we warm the pizza left from the day before. He frowned. "There was no pizza left yesterday."

I frowned too. "You mean you ate all of that?"

"No, I had only 2 pieces."

My frown changed to surprise. "I had only 1 piece." Our eyes met. Then we looked down at Freddie who was standing next to me. (If we're in the kitchen, he's always right there with us. The kitchen is his favorite room in our house, and in his own home too. Now I know why."

If a dog could have a guilty expression, Freddie had one. Slowly and silently, he left the kitchen, slinking away to his bed in front of the fireplace in the living room. We followed him. I said his name. He wouldn't look at me. I mean he literally turned his head away every time I tried to make eye contact.

We could only laugh. I swear he knew what we were talking about, and he knew he'd done something wrong. Fortunately, it didn't make him sick.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

So, yeah. Freedie is our god of frolic because even when he does something he shouldn't, we can't help but laugh.

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Review - Stranger Things 5

Stranger Things 5 Poster - Amazon

I'm posting late in the day because I started prepping the house and garden for the approaching winter storm.

All of the talking heads say this storm will mimic the icy apocolyptse that descended upon the Houston area on February 10, 2021.

LET'S TALK ABOUT STRANGER THINGS

If you haven't watched this final season yet, I think you'll either love it or hate it or possibly yawn and not give a lot of thought to it.

As for me, I think Seasons 1 and 2 were the strongest of the series. They were full of surprises and introduced us to some great characters. There were laughter, tears, and shocks which made those seasons watchable again and again.

Season 3 was good but the plot elements and characterizations relied too much on cliches that we're all seen until we merely roll our eyes. Examples: teen angst and rebellion, a controlling father who can't commuicate so he shouts and issues orders, characters who don't ask obvious questions when they're tryng to discover what's going on, etc.

Season 4 was okay, but it was a mishmash with characters who were changing from the way we knew them—not evolving but becoming cliches like stoner, pot-smoking teens you see in a lot of movies aimed at a teen audience.

The characteristics that made use love them were being erased. With some characters that were hated, there seemed to be an effort to make the audience understand and sympathize with them.

SEASON 5

Suddenly, all of the characters are cursing—from the youngest to the oldest with GD this and that. What was funny when Dustin did that in the early episodes was funny because it was so unexpected.

When all of them were doing it, it wasn't funny. It was odd. Also, the constant squabbling between all the characters was off-putting. Everything the characters did took the focus off the rising drama of the dire situation in which they found themselves.

Again, characters don't tell each other pertinent details when they should. In fact, it's weird that they don't. They also don't ask questions about what's going on when they should. Agh. Drives me crazy when characters don't behave as if anyone would in real life.

Yeah, I know it's not real life, but characters are supposed to be believable and do what people really would in similar situations. Otherwise, they don't seem "real" and aren't believable to the audience.

Then there is the whole dynamic with the Army. If any Army is as stupid and robotic as the one portrayed in Season 5, then whatever country they defend is doomed from the start. It was like a "paint-by-numbers" characterization of an Army from an old anti-war movie.

Then there's the whole fake science of the situation which tries to make everything that happened from beginning to end make some sort of sense of everything.

SUM IT UP

I discussed Season 5 with my daughter. The one thing we agreed upon was the ending. It's a open-ended hook. If the Duffer Brothers are ever in need of money, they have a ready-made franchise into which they can breathe life.

After all, Eleven is out there exploring the world but pining away for Mike. When the world needs saving again, she can mentally get in touch with Mike, and they can get the band back together.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Well, I guess I had a heck of a lot more to say than I thought. Should you watch it? Of course, You may have a different opionion. My daughter liked it. Let me know what you think about it.

Joan participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising designed to help websites earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon. If you click an Amazon link in her post, she may receive a small commision at no extra cost to you.

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Scary World: Dealing With Scammers

After spending a couple of hours clearing out the spam email from my 3 email accounts and checking a couple of dozen emails for credibility without clicking on them, I'm frustrated.

The AI world has enabled the internet crooks to increase their output of scams, spoofs, and frauds.

Everyone gets these emails, but for authors, it's even more frustrating. We get huge amounts of emails praising one of our books and bemoaning that the book hasn't a bigger presence on social media and/or number of reviews.

They tell you that they are in charge of a coffee/booze/cocktail/senior citizens book club or online community of reviewers that can shoot you to the top of the bestseller list! All they ask you to do is email them for more information.

The emails are always gmail addresses despite the name of the so-called readers' group they offer in the email. Guess they never heard of Facebook groups.

Never, ever email them in return. It's risky just seeing the email in preview. Don't dare open it.

In fact, don't click on anything in the email, not even a "blank" spot because there may be a hidden link, colored white that won't show up. It's a fricking minefield.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE

These are the letters supposedly from literary agents, publishing house editors, and movie production companies. They want to take your book to the big time. I've checked out the names and the companies these scam artists supposedly represent. The names, photographs, and companies are real, but the fraudster using them is not. The contact email will always seem like the legit email, but there will be some character in the email that makes it wrong.

Then there are the alleged lawyers who threaten to sue you because you used music or something in a video that the copyright owner wants you to pay up. These are frauds too.

HOW DO I KNOW?

With any letter about copyright, I know because I keep a record of the rights owner of any photo or music I've used.

With the letters supposedly from publishing representives and lawyers, never click them. View the information you can see without clicking on the email then go to a Search Engine and query, "Is email regarding copyright from XYZ Law Firm legitimate?"

With everyone I've received, I've found dozens of SERPs that show they're scams.

You can check the publishing house professionals' names and companies this way also, by querying whether they are legitimate and/or whether their name and image is being used in email scams.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

It's a scary world out there for the unwary so be aware. Question anything that is designed to excite you or scare you.

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Hurray for Home Projects

Instead of posting the recipe I'd planned for today, I worked on cleaning out my office while Darling Hubby built another shelf in the pantry.

I didn't finish my office work, but he did complete the new shelf. We have really high ceilings in our home, and the pantry had a top shelf about 6 feet from the floor which left a good 4 feet between the existing top shelf and the ceiling.

Since I'm always in need of more storage, I convinced him to install another shelf above the top one. He went to Home Depot yesterday and today, he built another shelf that matches the others in the pantry!

He did a great job. Then he went outside and cut all the roses in bloom since we're expecting a freeze tonight. What a sweetheart!

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

A new pantry shelf and a bouquet of roses! What more could a woman want? Stay warm tonight!

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Spotlight on ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear

The New Year brings the desire to improve, do better, and replace old habits that don't serve you well with new habits that will make you healthier, wealthier, and wise.

OMG. Isn't changing a habit the hardest thing in the world?

In fact, I think it's akin to what the Bible says about a leopard changing its spots.

Sure, people do it, but does it seem as if everyone in the world can do this, you find it impossible? Maybe you just haven't learned that changing habits is a process that requires a system to handle it.

At least that's the premise of the bestselling book, ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear. Maybe what you need to make real changes in your life is to learn the system that creates lasting change. The title of this book caught my attention several years ago when it was first published.

IMPORTANCE OF HABITS

Many years ago when I was in elementary school, my teacher quoted Benjamin Franklin. "In the beginning, man makes the habits. In the end, the habits make the man."

This is one of the best bits of wisdom I've ever heard, and I really took it to heart. As I've gone through life, I've found that many people have really bad habits. Not bad in the sense of sinful or anything like that. Bad in that the habits keep them from living a calm, rewarding life.

I have many friends and relatives who moan about their bad habits. They wish they could change. They want to change. They try to change, but change doesn't come easily. If they make a huge effort and manage to live a few weeks with a new habit, the old habit gradually takes over again.

YOU NEED A PLAN OR A SYSTEM

Don't get depressed. Stop asking, "What's wrong with me? Why can't I do this?"

Maybe the problem isn't you? Maybe you never learned how to do something as difficult as replacing a bad habit with a good one. According to Mr. Clear, you need a system to help you change—a system you understand that can truly help you make habits that will serve you well. This book is easy to read and easy to understand.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

We're halfway through January. Don't wait. Read ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear and learn how reshape the way you think and learn the strategies you need to transform your habits—which just might transform your life.

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Review - One Ranger on Prime

One Ranger on Prime

One Ranger, now streaming on Prime or available for purchase on Amazon, is an interesting blend of a modern western Texas Ranger, British MI6, drug cartels, and terrorists.

It's the kind of movie that makes you think it should have been better with those plot elements and with Thomas Jane and John Malkovich headlining the flick.

Also appearing in the movie are Dominique Tipper as Agent Jennifer Smith and Dean Jagger as the big baddie Declan McBride.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Texas Ranger Alex Tyree—Thomas Jane—is tracking bank robber Declan McBride across the West Texas desert.

When the Ranger's partner is killed, Tyree is drawn into partnership with British intelligence agent Jennifer Smith (Dominique Tipper) and her boss Geddes (John Malkovich) to capture McBride, who he has learned is an international terrorist who plans to detonate a bomb in the heart of London.

Released in October 2022, film rights were then acquired by Lionsgate.

The movie premiered at the Dallas International Film Festival in April 2023, and a couple of weeks later it was released in selected theaters and on demand streaming.

SHOULD YOU WATCH IT?

Thomas Jane and John Malkovich make just about anything worth watching. As the Ranger, Jane chews up the scenery. In fact, I think he relished playing a bigger than life Texas Ranger, accent and all, as a throwback to a previous era. (He may have been channeling Clint Eastwood in the movie Coogan's Bluff.)

The movie did not receive good ratings. The story just doesn't come together in a way that makes for a compelling film.

However, there are worse movies out there. Darling Hubby thought it was OK, and, because of Jane and Malkovich, I'll give it an OK minus. That means if there's nothing else on, give it a shot.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

One Ranger may tickle your fancy. If it does, drop a comment and let others know.

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When Aliens Invade...

Recently, I binge-watched Falling Skies—see my review if interested—and I'll be watching the new documentary The Age of Disclosure this weekend.

I must have UFO's on the brain. The other morning we were making a quick jaunt to Cosco and stopped at our local Shipley Donuts for sustenance.

When Darling Hubby brought out the box of 4 donuts in a box that usually holds 6, the aroma was incredible. They were hot and dripping glaze.

When we arrived at Costco, we parked and had a donut with our travel cups of coffee. OMG. There's nothing better.'

I said, "If aliens invade from outer space, the first thing I'll do is go by Shipley Donuts and some hot, fresh glazed donuts because there probably won't be any donuts—ever."

We both laughed, but that got me to thinking of all of the things we'd miss from the unimportant to the crucial if that happened.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

What would be your "last chance" treat if aliens in UFO's invaded?

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TOP 10 "He Done Me Wrong" Songs

Welcome to Wednesday. It's Hump Day which means Fun Day.

How about a list of...

TOP 10 "HE DONE ME WRONG" SONGS

In the Category of Rock / Crossover, and in no particular order.

They say men cry in their beer when they're sad. Do women cry in their merlot? Or do we just suck it up, have a couple of chocolates, and deal with the emotions? Hmm. What do you think?

1. "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon

2. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac

3. "How Do I Live Without You" by Trisha Yearwood

4. "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gayle

5. "It's My Party (And I'll Cry If I Want To)" by Leslie Gore (oldie but goodie)

6. "Gunpowder and Lead" by Miranda Lambert

7. "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette

8. "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James

9. If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher

10. "You're No Good" by the great Linda Ronstadt

Honorable Mention: "Jolene" by Dolly Parton and "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

That's my list. What are your favorite songs in this category? Drop a comment and a song.

99¢ New Year Sale

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Review - Falling Skies - Netflix

Poster available on Amazon.

I love a good science fiction movie or series. Unfortunately, they're hard to find. So many are derivative, clichéd, or ridiculous.

Falling Skies, a post-apocalyptic science fiction TV series, created by Robert Rodat and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, is none of those things.

The DreamWorks Television production series premiered on June 19, 2011 on TNT in the U.S.

After 4 seasons, TNT renewed the show for a 10-episode 5th season to close out the series. The finale episode was broadcast on August 30, 2015. Over its run, the series was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards (Outstanding Special Visual Effects) and 14 Saturn Awards (3 nominations for Best Television Presentation and 1 for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series).

SHOULD YOU WATCH?

Yes, even if you don't like science fiction.

The premise is gripping, and the characters are charismatic and seem like people you would know.

As the survivors escape Boston, passing many Revolutionary War sites, Wyle, as history professor Mason, relates how the colonials fought the British though outnumbered and untrained.

He manages to rally the 2nd Mass when they're starving and running and can't seem to do much except stay alive.

The series creates a world in which everything we take for granted is gone, but the human race keeps fighting and finding ways to take back not just their country but their planet.

There are some surprises and twists along the way that add to the challenges the survivors face. There is also plenty of violence and gore so I'd be wary of letting younger children watch it.

All in all, despite some conflict elements that went on a little too long for my taste, the series is so much better than much of the offerings today. I give it an A-.

No Netflix? Get Series from Amazon

THE CAST

With a cast headlined by Noah Wyle as Tom Mason, a former history professor who becomes second-in-command of the 2nd Massachusetts Militia Regiment, a paramilitary group composed of active duty US military personnel, military veterans, civilians, and others who are fleeing from the Boston area after aliens have invaded.

Along with Wyle, the regular stars of the series are Will Patton as Colonel Dan Weaver, a soldier determined to fight the aliens and protect the people who have banded with him and Moon Bloodgood as a pediatrician who becomes their medical officer.

Drew Roy is Hal, Tom Mason's oldest son; Connor Jessup is Ben, his middle son; Maxim Knight is Matt, his youngest son.

The rest of the regular cast include Jessy Schram as Karen, Seychelle Gabriel as Lourdes, Peter Shinkoda as Dai, Mpho Koaho as Anthony, Sarah Carter as Maddie, Colin Cunningham as Pope, Doug Jones as Cochise, and Scarlett Byrne as Lexi. There are dozens of actors you'll recognize as the series rolls along.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The series is definitely bingeable so don't start it late at night or you'll wind up hitting "next episode" until the sun is rising on another day.

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Monday Magic - Show Me the Money

Today is the first Monday of the New Year, and I have a website to tell you about that may enrich you—if you find your name on one of the lists at MissingMoney.

MissingMoney is the official Unclaimed Property website of the National Association of State Treasurers.

The website is provided by the US State Governments and several Canadian Provinces in partnership with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).

The NAUPA is the leading, trusted authority in unclaimed property.

If there's any chance you, or a relative, had a bank account or owned property that was never claimed, you should visit the website.

Enter the appropriate names or business names in all the data bases listed on the website. The instructions on how to conduct a search and what to do if you find unclaimed funds or property are on the home page.

New properties are added daily so you can search immediately and check back whenever you wish.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

You may have a windfall waiting for you. Happy hunting.

99¢ New Year Sale

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Hello, Janus

I'm sure you know that Janus, the Roman god who looks to the past and future, is the reason why this month is called Januarius or January.

Janus, known as the god of doorways, whch makes sense—the door to the past, the door to the future—is usually shown as an image with 2 faces looking in opposite directions (past and future).

In addition to doorways, he presided over passages, gates, change, and time. All of which are symbolic of the past and the future.

In the past, it was not uncommon to see a two-faced image on gateposts.

JANUS TRIVIA

The word Janus is the origin of other words like janitor, meaning keeper of the door. To be Janus-faced is to be two-faced.

A Janus words are contronyms, words that have contradictory meanings, such as dust—to remove dust or to sprinkle with dust, sanction meaning to permit or to prohibit.

The Temple of Janus was a structure in the Roman Forum where the doors were ceremoniously opened for war or closed for peace

Most Roman Gods had direct Greek counterparts, but not Janus. He was unique to the Roman pantheon.

The surname Janus can point to either ancient Roman ancestry or a more recent Central/Eastern European lineage, usually connected to the popular name John.

The name as a masculine given name entered the English language during the Renaissance when interest in ancient cultures and classical texts surged in Europe.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

January is all about new beginnings and change so start a new project and change a bad habit for a good one.

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Saturday Share - Mom's Strawberry Layer Cake

I find winter makes me wish for spring and summer.

Even though our winter has been lovely and warm this year, I long for a summery, light cake for dessert.

I was thinking about the strawberry cake my Mom used to make—delicious and light tasting with a luscious strawberry butter cream frosting.

My mother was an amazing cook, and this was one of her best cakes. I believe I included it in my cake bake book which I'm currently updating.

Thinking about it makes me want to make it, and today is the perfect time to make this cake for the weekend.

It's not difficult to make because you use a box cake mix.

The cake recipe is followed by the frosting recipe.

MOM'S STRAWBERRY CAKE

Ingredients for Cake

1 box white cake mix
1 package strawberry Jello
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I'm going to try butter at room temperature. I'll let you know how it turned out next Saturday.)
1/2 cup water
3 eggs
10 ounces of strawberries

Directions

Prep the strawberries. If using fresh, wash, remove stems, pat dry, and slice. If using frozen, do not use the ones with added sugar. Thaw, drain well, and chop them.
Prepare 2 nine-inch cake pans with baking spray or butter and lightly flour.
Blend the cake mix and the Jello in a large mixing bowl.
Add the oil and the water to the bowl, beating for 2 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
Fold in the strawberries.
Pour into the prepared baking pans.
Bake 40 minutes at 325°F (165°C).
Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out "clean," it's ready.
Remove from oven and let the cakes set in the pans for 5 minutes before turning them out.
Cool completely then frost with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

STRAWBERRY BUTTTERCREAM FROSTING

Ingredients for Frosting

1 stick of butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
4 - 6 tablespoons crushed strawberries

Cream butter.
Add sugar a little at a time, creaming together.
Add the strawberry pulp a spoonful at a time.
Blend together well, adding enough fruit to make the frosting smooth, creamy, and easy to spread.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Frost simply or elegantly. Whichever way you choose, the cake will be delicious.

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Best Quote for the New Year

Because of my eye infection, I'm still limited by how much time I can spend online so today's post is super short.

It's also really good advice.

"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." —Carl Bard

Really think about this. Now is the time to decide.

Once the decision is made, take the next step.

ACT!

Nothing good is ever achieved without taking action.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Good luck. I'm rooting for you!

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HAPPY 2026

I've been out of commission because of an eye infection that is proving difficult to get ride of.

However short this blog post is, my good wishes to you all are huge. May this New Year be memorable for you because of the many blessings you receive—blessings of good health, good fortune, and good family and friends.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Happy New Year, SlingWords Readers.

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