My Say What Blog Archives

Jul 1st Pet’s Safety Tips for the Forth of July

Pay Special attention to your pet’s safety on the Fourth of July. Here are a few Pet Safety Tips to keep in mind:

Did you know? More dogs go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. With all the noisy fireworks, loud parties, and distractions, it’s no wonder so many pooches bolt and get lost on Independence Day.

July Fourth is a significant date for Americans across the United States. Celebrated with parties and FIREWORKS. it is imperative pet owners pay special attention to their four-legged friends during the holiday festivities and afterward. Ensure that the information on your pet’s collar is current and make sure your dog is microchipped and/or has a GPS device. If they escape, there’s a better chance they’ll get returned.

Always keep you dogs and cats inside when fireworks are going off to avoid their nature to find a safe haven. Make certain your pets are walked prior to fireworks going off, close all windows and doors. Draw the curtains. Ensure your pets are wearing ID tags, even if in the house, as many animals are expert escape artists. Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle during the celebrations. You can also prepare a den for your pets inside the house with blankets and pillows in a location they will feel safe. There are thunder shirts you can buy for your dog that relieve the stress of thunderstorms and I’m told fireworks too. As far as our pet box turtle, Sammie, she 51 years old, but the fireworks don’t seem to bother her. Since a lot of what she feels come from vibrations though out her world, we make sure she has a den in her house with overhead logs to feel safe. She has lots of experience with this holiday, so she handles it just fine. From time to time we escape the city and take everyone with us for a nice quite mountain Fourth of July. Still we see all the fireworks from afar. But they can’t be heard or felt. a win win for all. Pet Safety Tips – Now let’s talk a bit about companion parrots who have to endure this noisy holiday too. Let me give you an example. Taco and I sit outside in the sunroom every evening after I’ve finished writing for the day during spring, summer, and fall. Over the past week (end of June first of July) the boom of fireworks are prevalent from early revelers. Taco is normally a fearless Eclectus. She’s learned the outside hawks can’t get to her through the glass of the sunroom. Thunder and lightning doesn’t bother her either, she’s been conditioned from an early age to understand there is nothing to fear. Now softball size hail falling is another story and a tale for another time. But, the sudden, unexplained noise from the fireworks has her flying off her perch and cowering on my shoulder. So we have to go inside during this time. Boo Hiss.

First we need to remember pet birds (unlike dogs and cats) are prey animals. They have evolved with their eyes on the side of their head, to enable them to spend long periods of their life looking over their shoulder. Some birds can even see better behind them than in front of them. By nature, birds are neophobic, meaning they naturally want to retreat and avoid anything unfamiliar. By perceiving a new object or sound as a potential threat until proven otherwise, they increase their chances that they won’t end up as someone’s dinner! This means birds and Parrots are constantly evaluating their environment and can become stressed much more easily than you may think. Let’s consider some ways to help our pet birds and Parrot reduce the amount of stress, anxiety and fear they suffer with the loud booms, and sudden light displays. Pet Safety Tips – Suggestions for birds in the home…

Where possible put your feathered companions in a room without any windows.

Alternatively, cover any windows with blankets, to block out those sudden burst of light. Covering the bird’s cage with a thick blanket can help muffle any loud noises, plus it helps make the bird feel more secure. The use of white noise machines or having the TV or radio on a little louder than normal can help drown out the sudden noise of fireworks.

Please note, noise isn’t normally the problem, as Parrots are noisy by themselves, but the sudden sound of an unknown loud noise is what frightens them. If bird(s) don’t live in a cage it may be wise to utilize a travel cage. Even Parrots who have had their wings clipped have been known to fly off when scared which could cause injury! Some pet bird owners have been known to play recordings of random noise, including those of fireworks to their birds – be it in the home or those outside in an aviary before firework season begins. The idea is that they eventually learn that unknown noises won’t harm them.

After the celebrations are over, make sure to check your yard any pick up any debris from the spent fireworks or maybe those that didn’t go off. These are harmful to your pet should they chew or ingest these items! Most importantly in keeping pets safe: NEVER TAKE YOUR PET TO A FIREWORKS DISPLAY! The American Veterinary Medical Association and AKC have more safety tips. Check them out. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

May 26th Memorial Day Thoughts!

Memorial Day isn’t just the first three-day weekend of the camping season. Historically, Memorial Day is the U.S. federal holiday dedicated to the remembrance of those brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

We celebrate Memorial Day yearly on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day and created after the American Civil War to remember the Confederate and Union soldiers who died in that war.

On May 5, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, the head of the Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day to honor the war dead and decorate their graves with flowers. May 30^th was the date chosen by Major General John A Logan, possibly because by then blooming flowers should be available all over the country. Across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery was the site of the first large observance in 1868.

I find it interesting that according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs the crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was about the same size as those that attend today, about 5,000.

After World War I, Memorial Day expanded to honor the men and women who died in all American wars. Memorial Day, often still called Decoration Day, became a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1971 and moved to the last Monday in May.

On Memorial Day, small flags are placed on each grave in Arlington National Cemetery, a tradition that many national cemeteries around the county observe today. In fact, the flag custom has grown to include many families that decorate the graves of loved ones as well.

To make sure that we never forget America’s fallen heroes, U.S. Congress passed in December of 2000, and the president signed into law, “The National Moment of Remembrance Act”. On Memorial Day, at 3:00 p.m., all American’s are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence, wherever they are to honor and remember those fallen heroes that made the greatest sacrifice for our freedom.

No matter how bleak things look, I still believe we live in the greatest nation in the world. If you don’t feel the same, maybe you should reconsider your locale. I can say that because I live in the greatest nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Happy Memorial Day!

If you happen to be looking for a great, feel-good, long weekend read check out A WITCH’S JOURNEY!

Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.

Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?

Available at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble KOBO Itunes

Apr 27th RV Adventure of a Life Time – Final Installment

After returning to Colorado to enjoy the city’s fireworks displays from a campsite in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. The third installment is about our most fantastic RV Adventure to the southeast and the entire east coast. Nope, we had never ventured to the East Coast. We planned, saved , and finally it was time!

Mid-August of 2024 hubby, I, Mystic, Taco, and Sammy, took off for a three-month RV Adventure, across the south-eastern United States, then covered the north-east all the way up to Bar Harbor, Maine. What fun experience in our 38-foot fifth-wheel pulled by our one-ton Dodge Pickup.

We traveled through Kansas and Missouri. Stopping in Branson, MO. Boy was it hot. Visited Dolly Parton’s Stampede. It’s a dinner club and show venue. Thank goodness it was cooler than the 104 degrees outside.

Spent a couple of days in Sumer, Mississippi visiting friends. What a spread they have, land, pond, and home. Their pond has fish that eat mosquito larva, so no mosquito problem. We sat on their back porch, sipped iced tea and had a nice visit.

Then on to Georgia for a couple of days to visit with Kathy and her bird, Reggie celebrating his 27th hatchday. Taco and Reggie enjoyed corn muffins. Sadly in April 2025, Reggie recently passed away from a stroke

I had two book signings during our RV Adventure. One at Mystic’s Chow Chow Breeders, D & M Farm Kennel, reunion at the Cherokee/Smoky Mountain KOA in North Carolina. It was so much fun, almost fifty people, lots of very well-behaved chows over five days.

Then it was north to Carthage, NC to see friends.

In Mystic Connecticut we had the best Pizza we’d had in our lives at Mystic Pizza. You remember Mystic Pizza from the movie with the same name.

We stopped at Virginia Beach KOA and encountered an interesting situation. When we arrived, the person who checked us in and showed us to our site, said nonchalantly, “Oh by the way, the Hell’s Angels are staying with us for a few days. But don’t worry, they brought their own security.” Not that we are phobic or anything…but that isn’t something you hear when you check in usually. Ten or twelve members return from partying one night at 1:30 a.m., was disconcerting. Other than that, it was uneventful but their presence was felt all over the campground. Our dog even wanted to check out their bikes.

Salem was a blast. Buskers (street entertainers) were on or at every corner or storefront, juggling, singing, magic, playing instruments, and the stores were full of fun. The streets were soooo narrow, so we took the trolly. Saw the Witch’s house and the house used in the movie Hocus Pocus.

Majestic Niagara Falls, there are no words. Such a feat of Mother Nature.

Having never been to Maine, we didn’t know what to expect. Cape Cod had beautiful sunsets with great seafood.

Bar Harbor was more of the same. Our trailer site was right on the shore with several fantastic sunsets! Loved the sound of the waves crashing on the shore has we slept.

The second book signing was in a small town in upstate New York with Carol Henry, another author from my publishing house. I love visiting with readers and other authors! We enjoyed dinner out with Carol and her hubby, Gary. What a blast.

Finally, sadly it was time to head towards home. Had to stop in Ohio to see more friends.

Then we hightailed it home arriving just days before a multi-day snowstorm dropped 20 inches at home in Colorado! Next Sunday we’ll have the regular Sunday Snippet! Please stop by!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged Bar Harbor, Book Signing, Cape Cod, Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, Delaware, East Coast, Mystic CN, Niagara Falls, RV Adventure, Salem, Sunsets by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.

Apr 20th RV Adventure Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming Bound

In May 2024 we packed to leave on our second RV adventure to Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, and back to Colorado.

We returned to Colorado for a scheduled book signing in early May then hit the road a couple of weeks later ending up in Iowa for four days. There we met with friends that had been neighbors in Colorado, a long-time friend from high school days, and my cousins. Outrun a couple of tornados in Iowa, barely. Did you know there is nowhere to seek safe shelter in a fifth wheel trailer in a campground? Call me a wimp, but while Colorado does have an occasional tornado, we don’t have them on a daily or regular basis. We packed up the fifth wheel and left shortly after sunrise.

Next we landed in South Dakota, stayed in a campground close to Mount Rushmore. Truly a man made feat. Then it was on to visit with friends that lived only a few miles from the rock monument. We relaxed at the campground then took off for the Reptile Gardens a place our friends claimed we just had to see before leaving. They were right! It was a blast. We spent almost five hours there. If you ever get a chance to visit it, by all means do so. It’s a must see. It looks like one of those cheesy off the highway tourist traps. But its not! Funny story. While we were touring the Reptile Gardens, its a building that is two stories tall with a huge antrum. I was dressed in a tie-dyed shirt and jeans. All the creatures that were loose keep eyeing me. A little parrot followed us where ever we went. As we passed the snakes in their enclosures, each one came to the front of the glass and watched me. Now mind you they didn’t behave this way with anyone else. Finally, one of the guides stopped us as we walked up one of the paths and said that the employees that feed the animals all wear tie-dyed shirts, so that was why I was drawing so much attention.

Devil’s Tower, WY

Reptile Gardens, SD

Off to Wyoming to see Devils Tower. Spent a couple of days in Thermopolis, WY. The town in rich in history, rock formations, and interesting street signs. Stopped off on the way home in Riverton,WY, to see friends and Bugg, a bird friend of Taco’s.

Then it was back home to Colorado to prepare for our grand adventure from the deep south and all the way up the east coast. A lot to see and we had such fun. Watch for my third and final installment, Southeast, and all the way up the East Coast. What fun!

In celebration of Spring, This week’s Sunday Snippet is the award-winning Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Pssst… It’s on sale for .99 cents for a limited time. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate and enjoy the snippet from Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Second book in the Raven’s Hollow Series.

Let’s take a peek at what Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic is about. Only #99cents!

Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.