October

You can be anything you want. When you’re 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’re falling under the annual spell of Halloween, and it feels wickedly wonderful. As children, our imaginations would […]

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 focused, caring and without judgement. These are simple concepts, but on International Stuttering Awareness Day […]

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. […]

When we meet someone walking with a blind cane, we 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 years […]

Italians introduced the cannoli and gelato. Napoleons and chocolate mousse are enjoyed by way of France. These rich, creamy confections have a history of putting smiles on the faces of those who indulge. America also boasts its share of sugary delicacies delivering instant euphoria to every sweet tooth. On October 14, Dessert Day, host a […]

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. Unfortunately, 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 the United States, but at least […]

We plead with them to eat their vegetables. We chase them away from the video games and out into the sunshine. They don’t really 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 […]

When most folks are asked to reveal their favorite ethnic cuisines, Italian and Mexican are usually right on top.   Russian fare is rarely mentioned. However, many that like to drink will agree that Russia has made a stellar contribution to the culinary world. From sipping vodka martinis to savoring penne a la vodka, on […]

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 surfing habits, she quietly removes malware. She knows we’ll bring down our systems or throw out the welcome mat for spyware over and over. It’s her job to right our computer wrongs, and she’s happy to do it. She might be a […]

Vegetarian lifestyles yield improved health, better qualities of life for animals and cleaner, greener environments. Observed annually on October 1, World Vegetarian Day celebrates these benefits. Not enough to change your mind? Still believe vegetarian diets are bland and unsatisfying? While rabbits may be content to nibble lettuce leaves and alfalfa sprouts, the vegetarian diet […]

Remember to pick up your free cup of motivation on October 1, International Coffee Day. When your friendly barista hands it over, thank her then take a moment of silence to thank some ancient goats for this gift that keeps on giving. Just how did the energizing properties of coffee enter the spotlight? Legend tells […]