Tag: Happy Place

The Littlest, Sweetest Girl Wins

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A Book Review

Matilda by Roald Dahl. Photo Credit by Tremaine L. Loadholt

I will be honest . . . I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. Matilda by Roald Dahl, was everything I needed at the time I read it (a week ago), and I am forever changed by this tall tale.

I had tried to watch the movie years ago, but I did not find it worth my while. It was a bit of a bore to me in the beginning, and I couldn’t get past a few scenes.

The book, however, is definitely powerful, it held my attention and raised my blood pressure a bit. The review is below:

“A Heart-wrenching Tale With a Happy Ending

I have tried to get through Matilda, the movie (the original), and I was not engaged enough to find it interesting. I have yet to view the most recent adaptation, and I do not think I will.

However, the book is superb! I expected nothing less from Roald Dahl and his eccentric ways of introducing characters and tying a reader to this story instantly. One moment, I thought I knew what would take place and the next moment, I was pleasantly surprised.

Matilda is an empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn’t seem much like a child at all. And the adults in her life are all soulless, foul human beings–save for Ms. Jenny Honey.

I wanted so badly for Ms. Trunchbull, the Headmistress of Matilda’s school, to get her comeuppance, and when she did, I was elated! No child should experience what the children of that school endured by the abusive actions of the vulgar and heartless, Trunchbull.

This is a captivating story of patience, resilience, determination, application of simple powers, and love. And when there’s love, there’s always a way.

The ending is the cherry on top of the cake. And it brings the story together phenomenally. If you haven’t read Matilda, I urge you to do so, and soon.

You won’t regret it.”

Lately, I have been trying to find every happy place I can muster up. Reading this book became one. Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

Remembering My Happy Place

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A Book Review

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

When I was a child, before I became an adult before my time, it didn’t take much to put a smile on my face. I was active; I played sports, read many books, did a ton of writing, and watched movies/famous television shows.

And of course, I tore up and down the city streets with my friends, but I ensured I was inside before the street lights came on.

So, it’s no wonder, I would find myself nesting inside my happy place while reading Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is a beautiful place to be, and while I’m in my forties now, I feel a stronger connection to all things pure & serene.

Below is the review I did for this incredible work of fiction by such an amazing writer who was well before his time:

“Reading This Brought Back So Many Memories

And I was in my happy place for the entire reading of this book. Roald Dahl was such a master of words and personification. He truly painted so many vivid and distinctive images in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This book is a stress-reliever. I laughed and slapped my knee at some of the verses shared by the Oompa-Loompas of the mischievously selfish and rude children. Everything about the book transported me to my grade school years.

I imagined myself in the children’s shoes; taste-testing many of Mr. Wonka’s unique creations and drinking from a chocolate river. My sweet tooth was ignited with every turn of the page.

It brought back so many memories of enjoying Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. I found myself linking some of the scenes in the movie to a lot of the scenes described in the book.

I knew I would enjoy every moment of reading this book, and I am glad I did so.

If you feel like being nostalgic and traveling down old roads of yore, I recommend Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You’ll definitely be happy you went along for the ride!”

During these current times, while fires blaze and wars continue to rage on, we could all use more happy places.

“Take Life 15 Minutes At a Time.”

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What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I usually do not answer the daily prompt questions, but this one, I just could not pass up.

The best advice I have ever been given came from one of my older cousins who told me “Take life 15 minutes at a time.”

She stated this because I was having a horrible day that seemed as though it would seep into my weekend, and in her stern yet casual way, she simply let it roll off her tongue and it sunk in for me.

The well-known saying is “One day at a time”, but a full day is 24 hours. That is a HUGE CHUNK of time to try and press through without faltering or falling short of goals.

But to breathe and take on fifteen minutes at a time in life is a much better concept. And I have used this method for the last eight years.

My best friend likes to believe she was the one who told me this, but she was not. Lol! I distinctively remember my cousin with her no-nonsense speech and the swag of a Queen who held all the tricks in the palm of her hand tell me this bit of advice, and I shared it with my best friend.

Needless to say, I use it as advice for others who feel like they’re losing their way. I will typically say, “Breathe . . . and take life fifteen minutes at a time.” I also let them know my cousin lent the same advice to me and it works.

When I am steadfast in applying it and I give myself the grace I need, it truly works.

Maybe you will find this to be applicable for you and your life, too. I hope you will.

Do not try to tackle a full day at a time. Take it in little chunks–15 minutes. And breathe.

Autumn is finally here! Let’s celebrate that fact, shall we?!

Peace and blessings.

Scenes From My Sunday Morning Walk

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Neighbor biking along the trail. Photo by Tremaine L. Loadholt
My apartment community is named, “The Lofts at Little Creek”; now I know why. Photo by Tremaine L. Loadholt
Autumn foliage trying to burst through. Photo by Tremaine L. Loadholt
Where the trail begins to twist and turn. Photo by Tremaine L. Loadholt

I decided to walk the trail behind my apartment building, and I fell in love with it!

This trail has so many twists and turns, and it seems to go on forever. I walked about two miles this morning, and next weekend, I’ll go a bit farther down the trail and see how long it goes.

I’ve found a new happy place, beautiful people, and I’m excited about this! I may even start skating down and along the trail as well.

Happy Sunday, folks! Enjoy it to the fullest!