October

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Italians introduced the cannoli and napoleons are enjoyed by way of France. America also boasts its share of sugary delicacies that deliver instant euphoria to every sweet tooth. Today is Dessert Day.   Observed annually on October 14, it is a celebration of rich, creamy confections that have a history of putting smiles on the […]

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. […]

America’s agricultural community has provided our bounty from the western coast of California to the eastern forks of Long Island, and all points in between. On October 12, we humbly give thanks then dig into an expansive, mouthwatering banquet of incredible edibles in honor of Farmers’ Day. Farmers deliver so much more than potatoes, tomatoes […]

Some like it hot. Others do not. How much heat will you dare to heap into the pot? Wherever your preference lies on the spicy scale, savor the flavor of the Bayou this October 12 and raise your spoon in a toast to Gumbo Day. Gumbo, the specialty stew of New Orleans, results from as […]

An unsteady ladder leads to a fall and a broken arm. The drive to the hospital ends with a cast and a promise to be more careful. When our bodies are hurt or sick, the cause is identified, and the treatment helps us mend. This is not so easily the case with our minds. The […]

Why does Chris get all the credit? Leif was ahead of him by almost 500 years.   As unfortunate as this may be, most people still assume that Christopher Columbus discovered America. Mention Leif Erikson, and you might get a puzzled stare. The truth is that neither man ever set foot on the shores of […]

No formal invitation to tea is required. The only rule of the day is to fill it with hilarity.   Mad Hatter Day, celebrated annually on October 6, promotes the perfect excuse to be silly. In 1986, while attempting to crack the cyber code that would earn them billions, a group of techies in Boulder […]

As today’s health care system grows more complex, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. From clinic visits to hospital stays, we see, and are seen by, more professionals than we can remember or count. Concern about the outcome of a diagnosis can be as unsettling as worries about extended treatment.   We […]

We plead with them to eat their vegetables. We chase them away from the video games and out into the sunshine. They do not understand that we do this for their health, and they probably don’t know much about National Child Health Day. The first Monday of each October is the perfect opportunity to get […]

If moths, not dollars, are multiplying in your wallet, Frugal Fun Day is for you.   Observed annually on the first Saturday in October, this day may have been a plug for Shel Horowitz’s book, “The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant’s Pocketbook”, which was published in 1995. The idea is […]

The origin of this odd observance on the calendar is unknown, but there it is. October 3 really is Virus Appreciation Day.   Just imagine being the Rodney Dangerfield of microbes, the digital world and the dictionary. Viruses get no respect, and yet they have their own day. Where, in the world, is the satisfaction […]

When the digital world crashes, she patiently puts it back together. Without judging our habits, she quietly removes malware.   She knows that we will throw out the welcome mat for spyware or bring down our systems over and over. It is her job to right our computer wrongs, and she’s happy to do it. […]

Guys have personal bonds with their automobiles.   They see eyes where others see headlights.   They see lips where others see grills. They even give them names. Christening your car is definitely an act of love of the vehicular kind and October 2, Name Your Car Day, was created just for you. Whether it’s […]

If the idea of more pumpkin-spiced anything terrifies you, focus on something else this month. I can help.   If you suffer from fear of missing out on the latest lattes, pancakes, cupcakes and seasonal beers, I’m here for you. I am positioned in the middle of this tasty conundrum. I can take it or […]