October

You can be anything you want. When you are scared silly, you squeal and laugh. You get to eat really good stuff that only shows up once a year. It’s a fantastic excuse to throw a party. Yes, you are falling under the annual spell of Halloween, and it feels wickedly wonderful. As children, our […]

It’s that time of year when mysterious things go bump in the night. A time when witches, devils, vampires, zombies and all manner of spooky creatures gather at our front doors on a sugar-driven candy quest. In recent years, Halloween has surged in popularity. Macabre-themed events commence long before October 31.   Today’s festivities include […]

Is it possible for 7.8 billion people to get along?   If peace on earth seems unattainable, perhaps we should not strive for perfection. Instead, we should build practical solutions to the problems that keep us separated.   United Nations Day shines a global light on those aspirations each October 24. The date became official […]

We all have something to say, and all our voices count.   We don’t express ourselves in the same way because our voices are different. However, we need to know that we are heard. It is important that the listening is without judgement, focused, and caring. These are simple concepts, but on International Stuttering Awareness […]

From thrilling films depicting alligators running rampant through city sewers, to children of all ages who marveled at the adventures of the late Crocodile Hunter, exotic reptiles have made their way into our lives and are in the spotlight on October 21, Reptile Awareness Day. Snake charmers greet unwelcome solicitors with boa constrictors draped over […]

Our impressions come from breathtaking photographs in magazines and fascinating online tours. We’ve seen movies set in these impossibly beautiful locations and heard news reports on their impending demise. Very few of us will ever travel through the veil of vast distance into the layers of the rainforests, but we’re enchanted by their lush mysteries. […]

It is one of the most widely used reference books of all time.   Today we sing happy birthday to Noah Webster and celebrate Dictionary Day, observed annually on October 16. There’s most likely a dictionary somewhere in your home. Granted, it’s probably being misused as a scratching pad for the cat. Go fetch this […]

Some are cantankerous blowhards prone to fits of anger. Others are arrogant, cold and insensitive.   Conversely, there are a few whose mental quirks are not as apparent because the characteristics that make them likable shine through. However, they all have one thing in common – signing your paycheck. If only in appreciation for this, […]

When we meet someone walking with a blind cane, we often think of his condition as a disability.   However, do we consider the independence with which he travels along the sidewalk? October 15 is Blind Americans Equality Day.   It used to be known as White Cane Safety Day. It took more than 40 […]

They’re the first ones who make us feel as though the earth really is back under our feet. They move quickly, and their actions seem familiar and frightening at the same time. Even when we know there are no guarantees, we want assurance that everything will be fine.   These calm professionals give us hope. […]