A Texas city girl in a small New England town …
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This year, “Wednesday Addams” came for a visit from the Nevermore Academy. After I took some photos of her, she went trick-or-treating with the neighborhood’s ghosts and goblins. We all remember what happened last time Wednesday smiled, right? If you can’t remember, it might be a good idea to re-watch “Addams Family Values”.
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𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑪𝒂𝒕
Good things happen when this cat crosses your path. A complex blend of wood, citrus, and musk creates a bright freshness.
Top: Spicy Cinnamon
Mid: Clove
Base: Cedar, Frankincense
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This cute vintage door hanger was inspired by “Making It My Own DIYs” on YouTube. The only difference I made to my own hanger was that I didn’t make a bow and left it in its original state.
Here is the YouTube Video: “Making It My Own DIYs” by Brandy. It begins at minute 10:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-YmktOY304
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For the last five Wednesdays, I posted photos of the pumpkins I have been carving for Halloween. People were admiring my Jack-o-Lanterns and asked how I carve them. In this blog, I will explain it.
Before I even think about this carving process, I have to look for the right pumpkin in the store or at a pumpkin patch. The key points I’m looking for are:
A pumpkin should look healthy. Because it will rot if it has nicks, bruises, or the stem is cut too short. It should also be the right size for the pattern I have in mind. The pumpkin should be smooth and without warts. Having a bumpy surface makes it harder to apply the stencil and carve the pumpkin. Sometimes, I look at a pumpkin and think: This is not the right one, I just keep looking. Since I started looking for pumpkins at the beginning of October, there is plenty of time to find the perfect one for my project.
Usually, on October 30th, I begin to carve pumpkins. This gives me an extra day, in case I’m getting too busy on Halloween. I’ll let you know how I keep the pumpkins nice and fresh for a day or two before they have their big day on our front porch.
When the “Jack-o-Lanterns” were still damp from soaking them in water, I lit them with a few tea candles to see how they looked in the dark. Katelynn and Sara can’t wait for Halloween night to get the pumpkins on the porch and show them to the kids from the neighborhood.
Are you ready for the results? Here are the “Jack-o-Lanterns” of 2017:
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World Lemur Day is celebrated on the last Friday of October, and this year, the holiday is scheduled to fall on October 31. The objective of this holiday is to raise awareness about the need to preserve this endangered species and to celebrate its unique attributes. The holiday was first observed in 2014, founded by Jonah Ratsimmbazafy in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Since then, zoos and animal rights organizations across the globe have been celebrating this particular event. World Lemur Day is celebrated in tandem with the World Lemur Festival.
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The wind is strong, the rain is a soaker, and the leaves are falling. It’s a perfect day to stay indoors and drink some hot chocolate.
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George Renninger, who worked at Wunderlee Candy Company, created candy corn in the 1800s. Working out of Philadelphia, he invented it to celebrate what he believed to be the beauty of corn juxtaposed with autumnal colors. Winter was cold, dark, and long, and the bright colors of candy would last for a long time, bringing optimism, joy, and a burst of sugar.
Specialized candy for Halloween turned out to be a winning idea, with different Halloween candies becoming increasingly popular over time. Wunderlee was credited for being the first to sell candy corn commercially, even though Goelitz, also known as Jelly Belly, is the most linked to commercial candy corn sales.
Candy corn began as food for chickens and was available only between March and November. It was originally a type of mellow cream known as “Butter Cream Candies.” The name was changed in the 1950s due to false advertising, as it had no butter inside.
The original method of making candy corn was to pour each color into molds separately, but this was a very time-consuming process. The recipe was sugar, corn syrup, and water. Later, marshmallows and fondant started being added, and then so was carnauba wax. Today, the recipe is pretty similar and gives us plenty of energy for trick-or-treating.
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Kevin, the girls, and I went to a couple of fun events that season. Finally, we made it to “Boo at the Zoo” at the Fort Worth Zoo. The weather was perfect for some Trick-or-Treat time. And Sara had a Halloween Party at her daycare, where she could play games, have hot dogs, lemonade, and cake. Once in a while, it’s fun to splurge.
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In 2013, we decided we wanted to register for the “Family Fright Night Camp Out” in our city. It’s an annual event on the lake peninsula in Stewart Creek Park. We brought our camping gear, Halloween decorations, and lots of candy. The event has costume competitions, Halloween decoration competitions, scream competition, Trick-or-Treat, Movie Night, etc. The girls loved camping in the park. For the Halloween season, I carved five pumpkins. Three we used for the above event. And then I carved another two for the girls on Halloween.
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… to be continued in October 2026.
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After I dropped off Sara at school, I drove to Echo Lake Park. I wanted to see how far Autumn had come along. Two weeks ago, there were barely any signs. Now, it looks quite different. Let’s give it another week or two, and the green might be completely gone. The dew and the fog helped to give it an Autumn feeling at the lake. A half a dozen ducks and a bunch of Canada Geese enjoyed this sunny morning as well.
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– 10/12/2021 –
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We have arrived at the last part of this year’s “My Jack-o-Lanterns” season. I can’t believe October went by so fast. Here are the pictures of the pumpkins from 2014, 2015, and 2016.
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… to be continued in October 2026.
Meriden celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the dedication of Castle Craig, which sits atop East Peak, overlooking Hubbard Park. The 32-foot-tall stone observation tower was built in 1900 and was inspired by local philanthropist Walter Hubbard’s travels in Europe. Castle Craig is located on one of the highest hilltops within 25 miles of the East Coast, sitting at 1,000 feet above sea level.
Lifestyle writer Colleen Paige has taken credit for establishing National Cat Day in 2005. Her stated mission: “To help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their lives for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us. ”We categorically believe her. She appears to love all cats — domestic and feral — and we’re certainly in favor of that.
Science magazine reports that cat domestication goes back 12,000 years. That encompasses a lot of toys and even more naps. The process appears to have taken place in the Middle East — think Israel, Iraq, and Lebanon. Domestication did not happen overnight. Cats did not go from wild beasts to softly purring pets — just, sort of, one day. Per National Geographic: “DNA analysis suggests that cats lived for thousands of years alongside humans before they were domesticated. During that time, their genes have changed little from those of wildcats, apart from picking up one recent tweak: the distinctive stripes and dots of the tabby cat.”
Another study from the University of Rome scholar Claudio Ottoni reveals that ancient sailors would bring cats along to “help protect food storage on board by killing rodents. This allowed cats to spread across the world.”We’re glad they spread. Like dogs, who get all the credit for being lovable, cats feel everything we do. They can gauge our moods and emotions — and act accordingly. They have also given up a lot of their natural cravings to live in homes and apartments. (Especially indoor cats.)
Fox squirrels are large tree squirrels. Due to their ability to adapt to a wide range of forest habitats, they are Texas’ most common squirrel. Their greatest numbers occur in open upland forests with a mixture of oak and nut trees. Fox squirrels are an important game animal, but their fondness for corn and pecans often causes them to be considered pests by farmers.
Squirrels are usually active early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Fox squirrels nest in holes in trees or build leaf and twig nests. They eat acorns and other nuts, buds, fruit, fungi, insects, amphibians, and the inner bark of trees. Squirrels bury nuts for winter food and relocate the nuts by smell. Squirrels find only a portion of the nuts they bury, and are important in planting many species of nut trees. A single squirrel can bury several thousand pecans over 3 months.
Squirrels’ long bushy tails are used for a variety of purposes. They can be wrapped around a squirrel’s face to keep them warm, used as an aid in balancing when they run along tree limbs, or spread and used as a parachute if the squirrel should fall. With a little practice, watching a squirrel’s tail movements gives you a clue to their mood. Quick jerks of the tail signal that they are nervous or upset.
Fox squirrels usually have two litters a year. Breeding season peaks in January and February and again in May and June. The young, usually 3 – 4 to a litter, are born naked, blind, and helpless. Just three months later, however, they can survive on their own. Squirrels can live up to 15 years.
: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/easternfoxsquirrel/
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Since most of the acorns are on the ground, we have a lot more squirrels roaming in our yard and on our pin oaks. This afternoon, I counted at least four squirrels and a couple of chipmunks just in our frontyard. Happy gathering, munching, and burying, little critters!
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Another cute little Black Cat Shadow Box I made for the Halloween Season.
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Today is the annual appreciation day for every stuffed animal, where owners give them the extra love and care they deserve. Make no mistake, today is not just for kids — it’s also for the kids at heart. From toddlers and adults, to plushie collectors, this holiday is dedicated to celebrating your favorite childhood friend, confidant, memory keeper, and playmate. As simple as it may seem, every stuffed toy has countless stories for many people. From their earliest childhood recollection to a pleasant memory, plushies are meaningful mementos to individuals who collect and treasure them.
America is the world’s great experiment in freedom and individual rights, and unlike any other nation on our planet, it was founded and built entirely by immigrants. Americans are citizens either by birth or by choice, abiding under a common flag and constitution, united by its legacy as a land of freedom and opportunity. It is easy to forget that, as a nation of immigrants, we are the sum of every idea and dream that has ever stepped ashore in search of new opportunities in the United States. Most of those ideas and dreams passed through Ellis Island, America’s first federal immigration center.
Before 1890, the 42 individual states that then comprised the United States of America regulated immigration into the United States. Europeans began fleeing political instability, restrictive religious laws, and deteriorating economic conditions in record numbers, leading to massive numbers of immigrants arriving on American shores by 1890. To ease the burden on individual states, the federal government took over responsibility for processing immigrant arrivals.
Ellis Island in New York Harbor opened in 1892 as an immigrant station, becoming the primary port of entry for most immigrants into the U.S. after 1890. Immigrants also entered the U.S. through other port cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, Savannah, Miami, and New Orleans. Ellis Island was the busiest because New York was the preferred port of entry for most ships arriving in America.
From opening day on January 1, 1890, until the day Ellis Island closed in November 1954, over 12 million immigrants passed through the Ellis Island immigration station, along with hopes and dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. Most of those Ellis Island immigrants shared a common dream: of becoming an American citizen. In return for pledging allegiance and loyalty to the United States and its Constitution, immigrants who chose to become naturalized citizens were rewarded with all the rights and privileges afforded U.S. citizens, and the freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
As we celebrate National Immigrants Day, we also celebrate the determination, ingenuity, and spirit immigrants continue to add to the melting pot of cultures we call America.
Later that day, I took the subway to the Nymphenburg Castle (Schloss Nymphenburg). I had a nice walk from the Palace Channel to the Palace itself. On my first visit, I just wanted to walk around the Palace’s garden and enjoy the nice weather and outdoors. While I was there, I got into a conversation with a local man, who pointed out the window of the room where King Ludwig II* was born in August 1845. He said Ludwig’s 155th birthday was three days ago. I laughed and answered that my birthday was three days after Ludwig’s. But I’m not that old. I turned 27 that day of my trip to Munich. It was an educational conversation about Bavaria. As a Franconian, it is nice to learn about our state’s culture and history.
*King Ludwig II of Bavaria is also referred to as the Swan King or the Fairy Tale King. During his reign, he built the Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, and the famous Neuschwanstein Castles. Walt Disney got his idea for the Cinderella Castle from Neuschwanstein, which can be seen in every Disney Park around the world today.
~ THE END ~
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It’s National Black Cat Day on October 27th! Black cats need a little positive PR as their reputation as an omen of bad luck is well-known (and unearned, frankly). In the lead-up to Halloween, National Black Cat Day provides the chance for feline fans to show off their love for the oft-maligned but always iconic animal.
The black cat carries a unique status among the wide batch of different breeds. In some locales, notably Scotland, Britain, and Japan, the presence or appearance of a black cat is indicative of imminent good fortune and prosperity. Beyond these regions, though, public favor of the black cat runs sharply southward. In much of the Western world, black cats are considered to be harbingers of misfortune and wickedness. This unfortunate association stems from an image that will be familiar to many readers, which is that of the black cat serving as a companion to potion-brewing, spell-casting witches everywhere.
This relationship would prove to have severe consequences for owners of black cats in America in the early 17th century. As the Pilgrims established their occupancy on the east coast of the country, they maintained a strict suspicion of anything remotely tied to the perils of witchcraft. The black cat served as a symbol of the supposed evils and Satanic sympathies of witches, and as a result, those found harboring black cats would receive harsh punishments; some would even be sentenced to death.
While, in general, the fears surrounding the demonic potential of witches have subsided significantly, the black cat will be left wondering why it still must suffer the consequences of a damaged collective reputation. According to several animal advocacy groups and adoption agencies, black cats experience lower rates of adoption and higher rates of euthanization relative to other cat breeds. Because of this, National Black Cat Day stands as a fantastic opportunity to subvert these trends and demonstrate appreciation for an animal that could use a little luck.
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-black-cat-day/
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by Penny Parker Klostermann
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Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, which includes cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons, and zucchini. Most people don’t realize they are fruits, not vegetables. These plants are native to Central America and Mexico, but now grow on six continents. Their history in North America goes back 5,000 years.
Pumpkins are indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. As Frenchman Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America in the 1500s, he reported finding what the French called “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
We use pumpkins for both food and recreation — especially during Halloween and Thanksgiving.. Pumpkin pie has become a traditional part of Thanksgiving in both the U.S. and Canada. We also carve jack-o’-lanterns around Halloween, although the pumpkins we eat and those we carve are generally from two different types of winter squash. (Note: A gourd is usually considered inedible squash.) Remember — gourds get funny faces. Squash winds up on the dinner table.
Farmers generally plant pumpkins in early July. The fruit (yes, fruit) requires soil that holds water well. Crops suffer if there’s either a lack of water or unusually chilly temperatures. Still, pumpkins are rather durable and can regrow damaged vines if necessary. Even pumpkin seeds are a popular snack. Grocery stores often sell them both hulled and semi-hulled. They’re a good source of protein, magnesium, copper, and zinc.
The Halloween connection dates back to the 1800s. The term “Jack-o’-Lantern” first appeared in 1837, while the idea of a carved pumpkin, specifically, originated in 1866.
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-pumpkin-day/
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I kept the haunted house simple. I used two wooden cutouts, Jenga blocks as spacers, popsicles as shingles and window shutters, a large ribbon for the windows, a rub-on sticker ghost, orange fairy lights, paints, and hot glue.
First, I painted the wooden cutouts and Jenga blocks with black chalk paint and let them dry. Meanwhile, I painted the popsicles for the shingles with a mixture of chestnut brown and black chalk paint. The popsicles for the shutters, I stained with anti-wax. When the cutouts were dry, I lightly brushed the one I wanted to use as the front with white chalk paint and let it dry again.
Next, cut out a big spider web ribbon in rectangles and glued them on the backside to cover up the front windows. I added the shutters in different directions to make them look like they are ready to fall off. I rubbed my little “Boo” ghost close to one window. Once the front was done. I glued the front and back sides together with spacers. I also added extra spacers to rest my battery box for easy access to them. Then I glued the shingles on the roof.
Last but not least, I wrapped the fairy lights around the Jenga block spacers. Now, we also have a big haunted house as a shelf or mantel sitter.
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In 2007, National Pitbull Awareness Day was created to help raise awareness about the truth about Pitbulls. For nearly 100 years, these four-legged friends were considered loyal, docile, and loving! Parents would often leave their babies or toddlers with their pit bulls while they ran to the store (Note: no child should be left alone or unattended with any dog).
Over the decades, pitties have unfortunately garnered a reputation as being ferocious, malicious, and dangerous beasts. An image far from the truth and based on the actions of maligned humans, not the animals themselves.
Pit bulls were born out of a mixture of a bulldog and a terrier in England in the 18th century, partly to help with much-needed rodent and vermin regulation from the Industrial Revolution, but also because dog fighting was, unfortunately, popular at the time. That said, as the now-extinct Bull and Terrier breed evolved into the American Staffordshire Pit Bull we now know and love, these pups were always considered affectionate, loyal, and great family dogs by breeders and owners alike.
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𝑾𝒐𝒍𝒇’𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒆
While folklore suggests this unassuming yellow woodland flower might repel werewolves, we’re sure its delightful floral fragrance will have you happily howling at the moon!
Top: Floral
Mid: Amber
Base: Powder
𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕
Fiendishly delightful citrus notes swirl intriguingly with rare wood accords to create a fragrance that will drive you batty with pleasure!
Top: Fruit
Mid: Patchouli
Base: Citrus
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Around 30 million years ago, the kangaroo’s ancestors arrived in the Australian rainforests. According to historians, they may have developed from possum-like animals that lived solely in trees. These little creatures made their way to the ground and eventually became the first kangaroos. As the grasslands grew more prominent, so did the kangaroo species. These kangaroos evolved more and more diversified throughout time, finally developing into the red kangaroos we saw on this day, three million years ago.
We have similar-looking red and gray kangaroos, the wallaby, the musky-rat kangaroo, and others mistakenly called kangaroos. Technically, scientists categorize all these as ‘macropods,’ which means ‘big feet.’ Kangaroo, an Aboriginal name, is often used to refer to various animals of this family, not just the hop-happy ones we are familiar with. Scientifically, however, only two can be kangaroos by the narrowest definitions, the fast-hopping red and gray-colored kangaroos.
Why do these large marsupials hop, a locomotion technique seen only in smaller animals? Scientists can only theorize the answer. Presently, three ideas dominate: Kangaroos adopted this mechanism to effectively escape predators; apparently, rodents that can hop are twice as likely to escape their predators as those that run. They started hopping because these animals needed their arms free to forage for food. It might have simply been faster and more effective for kangaroos to move this way, especially in the deserts of Australia, where water and food take more effort to find.
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-kangaroo-awareness-day/
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Kevin worked on the cauldron in previous years. But it came out the best on Halloween 2009. He had to cut a hole in the bottom to fit a pipe for the fog maker. A purple light bulb was installed before he aligned the inner cauldron with some dark fabric. Kevin glued some eyeballs and bones on top of the fabric to make them look like the witch just tossed them for her brew in the cauldron. Of course, needed a stand and a “fire”. Kevin got some golfball-sized styrofoam balls, cut a small hole, and spray-painted them, so they would look like charcoal. Then he pushed red string lights in the precut holes to make the “charcoal look like it was glowing in the fire. Once the stand and the “charcoal” were in place, he set the cauldron on top of it and let the fog machine do its job. Ta-da! The witch had some brew cooking.
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Katelynn loves going to the pumpkin patch because she can jump in the bounce house, go on hay rides, and pick a pumpkin. Sara just enjoyed crawling around between the pumpkins. Every pumpkin had to be tested by giving it a good slap on top. We also went to the Pirate Days. Unfortunately, “Boo at the Zoo” got rained out on the day we went to the Fort Worth Zoo. But it wasn’t the end of the world, either. The girls got out and had fun, anyway.
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Aww! 2011 was one of my favorite Halloween Seasons of all time so far. Katelynn had a crush on “Marvin, the Martian” and wanted to marry him. That’s right. She loved this Looney Tunes character so much that we had to get her a plush Marvin. She said she wanted to become an Astronaut and be the First Woman on Mars. Over the years, her idea of flying to Mars has changed. But she still wants to be a Paleontologist, now.
Sara was the cutest little garden gnome I’ve ever seen. It was her first Halloween, and she could walk to the houses. But she still had a hard time catching up with her older sister. Her little feet were not fast enough. So, she called Katelynn to wait for her: “Kaitin, Kaitin! I want to go T’ick-o’-T’eat with you!” Sara wasn’t scared of any monsters either. Since we always made a big fuss out of Halloween, she must have thought it was normal.
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… to be continued …
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Before I drove Sara to school, I warmed up the car and captured some photos with my Nikon. The sun just rose above the horizon when I could see the fog past the trees in the valley. While we had no fog up on the hill in Watertown, Oakville was covered in a blanket. Sara’s school is about 300 ft lower in altitude than our home. The Autumn fog looked so pretty this morning.
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~ 10/12/2021 ~
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This adorable Vintage Halloween Box, I saw on Pinterest. It looks very similar. But I put my own touch to it. Mr. Skeleton rests his foot on the bow. I just want to tickle it. He smiles and gives me his approval; he loves being a part of my DIYs.
Here is a link to the original “Dollar Tree Vintage Halloween Box” by Creating Through Chaos: https://creatingthroughchaos.com/dollar-tree-vintage-halloween-box/
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: https://www.plymouthct.gov/interesting-places-in-plymouth
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Another Sunday has arrived to show off some of my Jack-o-Lanterns from the years 2013 and 2014. Some I carved for our local “Family Fright Night Campout”. And a couple of pumpkins I carved for Halloween night. The white skull pumpkin is from Courtney. She asked me if I could capture a photo of it. It looked so cool, I had to add it to my Jack-o-Lantern photo collection.
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… to be continued …
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The European fallow deer, also known as the common fallow deer or simply fallow deer (Dama dama), is a species of ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. It is native to Turkey and possibly the Italian Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula, and the island of Rhodes in Europe, but has also been introduced to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world.
Outside of Europe, this species has been introduced to Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cyprus, Fernando Pó, Israel, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Réunion, São Tomé, South Africa, Comoros, the Falk Islands, Seychelles, Tunisia, and the United States.
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: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Historic_District
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: https://ctparks.com/parks/stratton-brook-state-park
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While the history of reptiles may go hundreds of millions of years back, National Reptile Awareness Day has an unfortunately short history in comparison. Additionally, it wasn’t really until 1966 when the first Endangered Species Act was passed that awareness of the needs and threats facing reptiles (or any animal, for that matter) started to make its way into our cultural mainstream.
With the passing of that act, a mid-century push toward conservation started taking the forefront. Updates were passed in 1967 and 1969. Additionally, in 1967, the Environmental Defense Fund created their historical efforts to ban DDT from usage in the United States. Much of this movement was sparked by Rachel Carson’s seminal book, Silent Spring, which documented the adverse effects pesticides and other chemicals have on the environment.
National Reptile Awareness Day wouldn’t exist without the efforts of that movement. In fact, many reptiles wouldn’t be around today without the help of the Endangered Species Act. While National Reptile Awareness Day may have a small history compared to its subjects, it’s still part of a historically important movement to help protect and conserve all species of animals.
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-reptile-awareness-day/
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Studies have shown that the earliest known wild apple trees cropped up in regions of central Asia anywhere between 10 and 20 million years ago. Though initially their flavor skewed toward sour, apple trees would evolve to produce sweeter fruits. This development would make them a more attractive food for wild animals and thereby assist with their diffusion throughout the continent. The apple would eventually spread to Europe as early as the 17th century BC; some historians believe it was during this time that the Roman populous cultivated and developed the apple into the larger, sweeter, more edible fruits that we are familiar with today.
Since then, the apple has found its way to the forefront of parts of American consciousness and identity (the iconic story of Johnny Appleseed, the phrase “as American as apple pie,” and the nickname “The Big Apple” all come to mind). In fact, though, the United States plays a small part in the worldwide history of the apple; the only native variety to the country is the crabapple, often dismissed as too bitter to enjoy naturally.
Furthermore, though also observed in America, National Apple Day actually has its roots in Europe. It was created by the U.K.-based charity organization Common Ground on October 21st, 1990, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of diversity in different communities. Though the initial meaning of the holiday has been somewhat forgotten, apple lovers everywhere still enthusiastically use the holiday as a chance to rave about their love for the more than 7,500 different varieties of apple grown across the globe!
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-apple-day/
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American Frog Day is celebrated annually on various dates at different locations throughout the country. Charles ‘Chuck’ Powell started the first American Frog Day in San Jose. Powell and his family hosted the event for about 10 years. The event became an extremely popular and important gathering for hobbyists, conservationists, and scientists interested in Dendrobatid frogs, commonly known as poison dart frogs. The focus also widened from frogs to all amphibians and other residents of vivariums.
The event is important for everyone interested in captive breeding and raising poison dart frogs and other amphibians, as it provides a space to exchange information, purchase supplies, and even acquire frogs themselves. As the event grew bigger and attracted a wider audience, it became an important space for the exchange of ideas and information about these remarkable animals, as well as an opportunity for conservationists to discuss their research.
Today, the event is also a fundraiser for conservation efforts directed towards helping poison dart frogs, which are native to Central and South America. After the first decade, Powell and his family opened up the opportunity to host the event to enthusiasts across the country so more people could participate and get involved. Today, anyone interested in hosting can do so by reaching out to Jeremy Mott, who is one of the main coordinators.
In August of 2000, for my 27th birthday, I took a trip to Munich alone. Since we had the Bavarian Ticket, which could be purchased for less than 20 Deutsche Marks (about $11) from Monday to Friday (on the weekends, we just had to pay about $5 more to have the weekend ticket where we could travel with certain trains through all of Germany on Saturdays and Sundays) I began to make this a tradition to go to Munich more often.
On my first trip, I just enjoyed walking from the train station to the central square (Marienplatz). In that area, there are a lot of historical buildings to see. There is the Old Town Hall and the much bigger New Town Hall. If you come to visit at 11 am and 12 pm (local time), you can watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. From March to October, it can also be witnessed at 5 pm. The clock reenacts the scenes of Munich’s history twice daily. The first scene tells the story of the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine in 1568. And the second scene is the Cooper’s Dance (Schäfflertanz).
Frauenkirche (Munich’s Cathedral can be reached from Kaufinger Strasse to get to Frauenplatz, which sits northwest of the central square. At Frauenplatz is also a fountain with stairs where you can rest your feet in the hot Summer. You just have to share your space with the locals, the rock pigeons. And yes, it can get warm in Germany.
The German Hunting & Fishing Museum was very interesting as well. I was allowed to capture a photo of the taxidermied Eurasian Lynx. It was prohibited to capture photos in the museum. I believe they have changed the house rules since the use of smartphones. The museum is located in the former Augustiner Church on Neuhauser Strasse.
That day, I just strolled around and had some good ice cream before I took the subway to the Nymphenburg Palace, the birthplace of King Ludwig II.
… to be continued …
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One of my favorite projects was converting a Dollar Tree Dollhouse into a Haunted House. The wooden bottom with the fence came from Target; the rest of the items are from Dollar Tree. The house I painted with black chalk paint inside and outside. In the meantime, I hot-glued the trees as a background on the “property”. After the paint was dry, I lightly brushed it with white chalk paint to show the crevices. I used some Jenga blocks to raise the house because I didn’t want it buried in the peat moss.
Since the doll house had furniture and a couple of people, I used one person and a tissue to make a little ghost. For the eyes, I used bits of pipe cleaner. The haunted house also has nailed-up windows and a creepy spider. And I added more moss to the roof.
What would be a haunted house without a pumpkin patch and a graveyard? For the pumpkin patch, I found those little glitter pumpkins and tiny hay bales to raise one pumpkin up. For the graveyard, I used popsicle sticks, cut them to size, painted them to look like slate, wrote some funny names on the gravestones, and glued them across the pumpkin patch.
Finally, I installed orange fairy lights in the haunted house to give it a spooky look. I made sure I left space between the trees and the house for easy access to the batteries. I also kept the haunted house display simple. Could I have added some bats, more ghosts, witches, and trick-or-treaters? Yes. However, I didn’t want it to look too busy. And there is always room for another project.
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While I pulled some weeds, I found a little bunny hiding between the Evening Primroses in the frontyard. Since it was still little, I could catch it and examine it. Once I saw it was okay, I sat it back down in the primroses and let it move on. The plants were high enough to give the little bun-bun protection from predators.
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𝕮𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖞 𝕮𝖔𝖗𝖓
Here’s the Kringle Candle Company’s take on the classic creamy vanilla, honey, and light spice that bedevils every autumnal sweet tooth. So far, this candle formula is my Halloween favorite.
Top: Creamy Vanilla
Mid: Sweet Honey
Base: Light Spice
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This garland was really easy to make. I used some pipe cleaner ribbons, twine, wood beads, a galvanized metal ghost, and yarn, which I had hung from a Dollar Tree Halloween sign.
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I counted 24 wood beads, painted 8 white, and 8 black, and then mixed black and white to paint the last 8 beads gray. The galvanized metal ghost I sanded for the chalk paint to stick better to the surface. I let the beads and ghost sit to dry.
Meanwhile, I wrapped a white yarn around my hand about 20 to 25 times to make a tassel. First, I drew some eyes with a marker on the little ghost. But I decided to use tiny bits of pipe cleaners for the eyes. Since it is a boy ghost, it needed a cute little bowtie, which I made from a ribbon and a pipe cleaner. The galvanized metal ghost is a girl and has a head bow.
In the end, I attached the twine to the girl ghost, fed it through the wood beads, and finished it by knotting it together with the boy ghost. Since I had a little happy accident with the knots, I just glued a little piece of ribbon around them to make it look like it belonged there.
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Kevin had a couple of motors he wanted to use for something neat on Halloween. He decided to make moving cat eyes. A couple of tiki candle holders, styrofoam balls, and spray paint needed to be purchased. The strings, wooden picks, black foam sheets, and velvet fabric we had lying around the house. Kevin also installed some mini light bulbs inside the eyeballs. So, they were glowing while they moved and stared at everyone.
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Global Cat Day on October 16th raises awareness surrounding non-lethal feline programs across the country. More than any other shelter animal, cats and kittens face euthanization at a much higher rate. However, programs such as trap, neuter, and release (TNR) make it possible for cats to live long and healthy lives in our neighborhoods.
TNR programs aim to reduce shelters and overall colony populations across the country. TNR programs trap feral and stray cats. They are then neutered and vaccinated under the care of a veterinarian. Their ears are tipped to identify that they have been spayed or neutered. The cat is released back into the neighborhood where they were captured. Long-term studies across the country show that not only does the population decline, but the cats live out their lives healthily. Additionally, these programs save taxpayers money over time.
: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/global-cat-day-october-16
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Katelynn wanted to help me with the pumpkin carving. So, I’ve got her a little pumpkin she could play with and get the pumpkin guts out. She always loved to say: “We need to get all the pumpkin yikes out!” And then she played with the gooey inside of the pumpkin.
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Sara was only twelve days old when we celebrated Halloween in 2009. She was such a cute little Pumpkin. Katelynn wanted to help with the pumpkins again, while her little sister took a nap. Katelynn was very proud of being a big sister. She really enjoyed taking Sara out for her first Trick-or-Treat. All bundled up, we walked through the neighborhood and collected candy on this cool October night. The fresh air was good for the little munchkin.
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… to be continued …
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There are still many emerald-colored trees in the forest. However, the golden colors become vibrant as October continues. I just hope we will get some crimson mixed in as well. Nothing in sight, yet. But I don’t give up hope. It’s still too early to say how the leaves will be at their peak in another week or so.
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– 10/11/2021 –
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… to be continued …
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The American Herring Gull or Smithsonian gull (Larus smithsonianus or Larus argentatus smithsonianus) is a large gull that breeds in North America, where it is treated by the American Ornithological Society as a subspecies of herring gull (Larus argentatus). Adults are white with gray back and wings, black wingtips with white spots, and pink legs. Immature birds are gray-brown and are darker and more uniform than European herring gulls, with a darker tail. As is common with other gulls, they are colloquially referred to simply as seagulls. It occurs in a variety of habitats, including coasts, lakes, rivers, parking lots, and garbage dumps. Its broad diet includes invertebrates, fish, and many other items. It usually nests near water, laying around three eggs in a scrape on the ground.
In 1995, I visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Neuschwanstein with my then six-month-old son and a few friends. We had rooms in the Alpina (now Hyperion) Hotel. The first day, it was rainy. So, we just walked around in Garmisch. The next day was gorgeous. It was sunny and a perfect day to go see the Neuschwanstein Castle. At that time, there was some refurbishing done. So, we had a guided tour on a much smaller scale than the usual tour.
I discovered that King Ludwig II was very fond of the composer Richard Wagner’s operas. Ludwig invited Richard to his Hohenschwangau castle, which sits on a lower level across from Neuschwanstein. Every Summer, there is a concert in honor of Wagner under the roof of the Neuschwanstein Castle. Unfortunately, Richard Wagner never had the opportunity to visit the castle himself. He passed away before it was “finished”.In reality, the Neuschwanstein Castle was never completed. King Ludwig had his own tragic ending. His death was ruled by drowning in Lake Starnberg. It’s been said, it was suicide. But his death is controversial. Still today, many believe he was murdered. He passed away at the age of 40 on June 13, 1886.
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Last year, I worked on a Vintage Cat Shadow Box for Halloween. As usual, I got my inspiration from Pinterest and YouTube. I purchased items at Dollar Tree and ordered the rest from Temu and Amazon. I still have so much paint and brushes that I don’t have to worry about getting more for some time.
For the box, the half-rounds on top, and the risers on the bottom, I had to mix some colors of orange, cardinal red, and chestnut brown. I wanted to get it as close to the cat’s hat as possible. It became slightly darker. However, I was satisfied with the outcome. The trick to painting the half-rounds is to stick them on some tape. The tape prevents them from moving around. The same can be done with the risers.
For the inside of the box, I measured the inner space and cut some scrapbook paper to the size of the inner frame. Once I glued the paper to the back, I could work on the vintage cat sticker. The sticker itself was too flimsy. I stuck it to some cardboard to make it more stable. Behind the cat sticker, I hot-glued a Jenga riser to bring the image forward.
Something was missing. So, I decided to take one of those Halloween metal cutouts, paint it black, and let it dry before I used a white coloring pencil and drew some extra lines on the letters. The outer frame of the box still looked a little plain. I found some burlap and black ribbon. It just fits perfectly around the box. I added the two painted Jenga risers to the bottom.
The Vintage Cat Shadow Box can be used as a shelf sitter or as a tiered tray sitter. It can hang as a picture on the wall. The possibilities are endless.
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The history of National Vermont Day goes back to 1791, when it officially became the 14th state to join the United States. It also became the first state to join the union after the original 13 states had joined. This marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Green Mountain State, which had been under British and French rule for many years.
After its admission to the union, Vermont has continuously made strides. It became one of the first states to officially ban slavery. On November 25, 1858, the Act to Secure Freedom To All Persons Within The State was signed three years before the American Civil War. Vermonters provided food and shelter to escaped slaves along the Underground Railroad. Vermonters are also known for their resilience. Despite being a newly formed state, they sent soldiers to participate in the Civil War and continuously stood a firm ground against slavery.
National Vermont Day gives a chance to Vermonters to not only celebrate the memorable day of their independence but also pass down the historical value of their state to the younger generation. Honoring the brave men and women who contributed to making Vermont the state it is today is paramount. The 21st-century Vermont sits in the middle of a lush and scenic backdrop of mountains. While the state couldn’t be any more picturesque, the history behind this beauty is rich. National Vermont Day is the time of the year to honor that.
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When Kevin and I reached the Heublein Tower, we went to the shop to purchase some water and snacks. While we ate, we enjoyed the view over the Farmington River Valley. It is prohibited to eat or drink at the observation lounge.
When we were ready to go upstairs, we had to climb 120 steps to the sixth floor to get to the Heublein Observation Lounge. From there, we had a 360° view. From the tower, Hartford can be seen at a short distance. When the skies are clear, the view reaches all the way across Massachusetts into New Hampshire. I spent some time on the bench up there and soaked in the panorama.
After resting for a little bit, Kevin and I hiked down the Tower Trail. My arch in my right foot was aching. So, I had to take it easy. New insoles or hiking shoes should fix this problem. Thank goodness, there is a shortcut trail that led us down faster. We took in the beautiful Autumn sights. After all, it was a perfect day to hike up the hill. The temperatures were in the mid- to upper 50s (12℃ – 14℃).
Simsbury, Connecticut – October 10th, 2025
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~ THE END ~
One of our fence poles didn’t have a cap to cover it. When it rained, the pole collected water. Over time, the metal started to rust through and didn’t hold up the fence. It also didn’t help that Ranger always peed on it. So, one Saturday afternoon, Kevin got the materials to fix the fence. He dug the concrete block up, which was huge. It took us both to lift it out of the ground. Once the new pole was in place, Kevin poured the concrete to keep the pole in place.
While the concrete set, Kevin dismantled the old rusty shed that was here before we moved into the house. All it did was attract rats. We had to get rid of it sooner or later. We had that extra space and enough room to trim the trumpet vines. In the meantime, Katelynn and Sara collected the rest of the twigs from the Mimosa, which was cut down three days prior. Our cats made sure that we all did our chores.
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This is one of my projects, which I did late last year. I started with the frame I got from a thrift store. It was gold-colored. Originally, I wanted to keep it that way for a Christmas project. But I still had a picture of Nevermore. And I tried to put it to good use. I painted the frame with black chalk paint and lightly brushed it with gold. Once the paint was completely dry, I framed the picture. That was the easy part.
At Target, I found a birdcage; at the thrift store, I got some candle holders; at Dollar Tree, I purchased the flowers, bows, and other embellishments; and I had to order the raven from Amazon. The floor of the cage and the candle holder I painted with black chalk paint. When the paint was dry, I cut up a flower foam into the form of a cube and glued it to the cage floor. I had some black shredded paper that came as packing material with one of my orders. It became part of the nesting material when I wrapped it around to hide the foam cube. I centered the raven before I poked the flower stems into the foam to build the nest. Usually, I don’t glue the stems into the foam, so I can rearrange it for a later display. For the rim of the cage, I glued laces in place. Since the candle holder looked too plain, I made a bow and attached it to the neck. The creepy little spider gives it the extra little touch.
Inspiration from “Making It My Own” by Brandy – “Nevermore” Frame:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOH8-x59Fe0&t=9s
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Yesterday, I planned a trip to the Heublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park. When we arrived at the park today, I wasn’t aware that we still had to hike 1.25 miles (2 km) with an elevation gain of 427 feet (130 meters) to get to the tower. Once we climbed up the steep gravel path, we reached the top of the ridge, where we encountered the western-facing view over the Farmington River Valley. The rest of the trail is almost flat with some gravel and tree roots along the way. I had to sit down a few times to take in the beautiful view while I was resting. But I was motivated enough to make it all the way to the tower. I was well rewarded.
Simsbury, Connecticut – October 10th, 2025
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… to be continued …
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𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒏
Primary notes of clove and cedar dance mysteriously with hints of incense, citrus, and other exotics to create this utterly bewitching fragrance.
Top: Cedar, Clove
Mid: Incense
Base: Incense
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Pollinator gardens contain various native or native cultivars that produce nectar and/or pollen. These gardens enhance pollinator occupancy and contribute to maintaining healthy ecosystems by creating optimal pollination conditions.
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Hop Brook Lake is situated in the midst of a growing suburban area. This makes the 536 acres of undeveloped public land at the lake especially important to the surrounding community. The land is not only managed for recreation, but also for the benefit of the forest, wildlife, and water resources. The forest is comprised of a diverse array of trees, including white pine, maple, oak, hickory, ash, and dogwood.
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Wildlife is abundant in the area. Bird watchers will find a diversity of species, including hawks, turkeys, waterfowl, and songbirds. White-tailed deer, beaver, squirrels, chipmunks, and many other animals also make their home at Hop Brook Lake.
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I live in Watertown for the last four and a half years. However, today was the first time I went to Lake Winnimaug which is only three miles away from our house.
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The “First Church in Salem” and the Witch House reside next to the Ropes Mansion (Allison’s House/Hocus Pocus). Since both buildings and the Old Burying Point/Charter Street Cemetery are connected to the 1692 Witch Trials, I post the photos in this blog.
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The “First Church (North Church) in Salem” refers to the First Church in Salem, Massachusetts, which, over time, has had different locations and branches. The current Unitarian Universalist congregation, one of the oldest in the United States, was established in 1629. The congregation split several times throughout its history, and one of these divisions created the “North Church”.
During the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, many of the accused and their accusers were members of the First Church congregation. The minister at the time, Reverend John Higginson, lived near the present-day Salem Witch Museum site.
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The only structure still standing in Salem that has a direct connection to the witchcraft trials and is open to the public is the Witch House, on the corner of Essex and North Streets. This home, built circa 1675, was the residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin in 1692.
Along with his friend and fellow Judge John Hathorne, Judge Corwin presided over many of the examinations of the accused and their accusers, both before and during the trials. Some of the questioning took place in the Salem Village Meetinghouse (Tituba, Sarah Osborne, and Sarah Good were examined there from March 1-5), the Salem Town Meetinghouse, and local taverns. For years, many believed examinations also took place in this home on Essex Street, but there is no evidence to support that theory.
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The Charter Street Burial Ground, started in 1637, also known as “Old Burying Point” or the “Charter Street Cemetery”, is the oldest cemetery in Salem. Many early and famous Salem residents are buried here, such as John Hathorne, a judge in the Salem witch trials of 1692, and Samuel McIntire, Salem’s great woodcarver.
The convicted victims of the Salem Witch Trials were not buried in a single, marked location; their bodies were disposed of in shallow graves at the execution site, now known as Proctor’s Ledge. While there is no central grave site, some families may have secretly moved their loved ones’ bodies to private plots, so their exact burial locations are largely unknown. The Old Burying Point Cemetery is adjacent to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, but no executed individuals from the trials are buried there.
Salem, Massachusetts – October 8th, 2025
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~ THE END ~
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Diddlina is Diddl’s girlfriend. When I was younger, I collected everything about Diddl and his friends. I even made my own journals by drawing pictures of them. In October 2005, I created Katelynn’s Trick-or-Treat bag myself. The bag I had from a previous occasion. I imaged the concept, traced it, and then glued the tracing to construction paper. The broom got some tinsel I found in an art supply store. I used a black pen to color the face, hands, feet, hat, and costume, giving it character. And voilà, Katelynn had a Trick-or-Treat bag like no other.
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… This Halloween season was completely different from last year’s. Katelynn was excited to go to “Trick-or-Treat”. She knocked on the doors with a happy “T’ick-or-T’eeeeat”. Since she couldn’t pronounce the “r”, the neighbors thought she was adorable and gave her a lot of candy. After three houses, we had to walk home to empty the bag before we could go out there and get more candy. Oh my, so much candy and no meltdowns anymore.
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In 2004, I heard about the Munster Mansion Replica when I watched VH1 while I was preparing dinner. I talked to Kevin about it. And one weekend, we drove from Dallas to Waxahachie. When we found it, we looked at it. The owner, Charles McKee, waved at us, and we waved back.
A couple of years later, I read in the Dallas Morning News that the McKees have these weekend tours right before Halloween. Kevin and I got a babysitter for Katelynn, and down we went to Waxahachie again. They used the big parking lot in front of a local school. A school bus and a limousine were busy around the clock, picking guests up and dropping them off. It was a long wait. But once we were on the property, we had a lot of entertainment. One of the firebreathers asked me to pull a nail out of her nose. I replied, “… before this happens, I will pass out.” Everybody in line was laughing. 😊
Once we made it inside the mansion, we were not allowed to capture photos or record any film. It made us pay more attention to the tour as well. If you like to see photos and documents, you can go to the official website and check it out for more information. Here is the link:
https://www.munstermansion.com/
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In 2007, Kevin had to go to Trick-or-Treat with Katelynn. I was still recovering from a knee injury and would rather stay at home. It was fun. Katelynn was dressed in her “Snow White” costume and received plenty of candy, while the neighbors and I were busy giving out candy. I have to admit, I missed the door-to-door walk that year.
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… to be continued…
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– 10/07/2021 –
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After we dropped off Sara at the school bus, Kevin and I drove to Salem, Massachusetts. Since we wanted to meet with a couple of Kevin’s friends, the trip was planned in late Spring or early Summer. It was raining this morning. So, the chance that the town would be overcrowded was slim. And it proved to be the perfect October day to visit Salem.
We parked at the lot between Federal Street and Church Street. At the Witch City Mall, Kevin and I met with his friends. We had eaten a small breakfast on the road. So, we were ready for some brunch at the Red’s Sandwich Store. In other words, we had a second breakfast there. And it was delicious.
When our bellies were full, we walked through Salem. Since Kevin’s friends knew I had a creepy feeling towards Ouija boards, they guided us to the Salem Witch Board Museum.
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Here is a video from CNN of the Ouija Board History and the Salem Witch Board Museum:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/travel/video/ouija-board-history-halloween-orig-ag
Once I listened to the history of the Ouija board, I wasn’t as creeped out anymore. Still, I would treat it with caution, until… one of Kevin’s friends dug deeper into the boards, which were donated to the museum. And that was the moment when the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. 😱
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When we walked out of the Salem Witch Board Museum, we were all debating what we were going to do next. I mentioned the Hocus Pocus Filming Locations. I knew we wouldn’t make it to all the locations due to our schedules. But since I wanted to see Allison’s House (The Ropes Mansion), we all agreed to go there first. I wish they had decorated the Ropes Mansion for the holiday. However, it still looked exactly like they filmed it for the movie.
Our next stop was the Old Town Hall. The “town hall spell” in Hocus Pocus refers to the scene where Winifred Sanderson sings “I Put a Spell on You” at the town’s Halloween party. While the exterior of the Old Town Hall was used for filming, the interior party scene was shot on a soundstage. The spell used the song to hypnotize the townspeople, forcing them to dance until they die.
Kevin and I might have to visit Salem in the off-season for the third time. I would love to see the rest of the Hocus Pocus filming locations.
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Salem, Massachusetts – October 8th, 2025
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… to be continued …
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… to be continued …
If someone at a park feeds bread to ducks, there are Mallards in the fray. Perhaps the most familiar of all ducks, Mallards occur throughout North America and Eurasia in ponds, parks, wilder wetlands, and estuaries. The male’s gleaming green head, gray flanks, and black tail curl arguably make it the most easily identified duck. Mallards have long been hunted for the table, and almost all domestic ducks come from this species.
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Kevin suggested, when I’m working on DIY projects, I could make one for Katelynn and send it with the other Birthday gift to Dallas. Since I still had the metal pumpkin from the “Happy Halloween” sign left over. I used a wooden stand-up pumpkin from Goodwill, which I got in a two-pack for $2. Target has the same sets for $5. With black and white chalk paint, pumpkin orange acrylic paint, Halloween scrapbook paper, Dollar Tree Jenga blocks, a “messy” bow, and a rope around the stem, I added some character to the pumpkin. On the back side, I worked on some Thanksgiving decorations. So, when Halloween is over, Katelynn can turn it around for the November holiday.
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World Cotton Day was first launched on October 7, 2019, following an initiative by the Cotton Four countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali. The event was organized by the World Trade Organization (W.T.O.) Secretariat with the assistance of the secretariats of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O.), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (U.N.C.T.A.D.), the International Cotton Advisory Committee (I.C.A.C.), and the International Trade Centre (I.T.C.). It’s an opportunity to share knowledge about and showcase cotton-related activities and products.
Cotton is a safety net for the least developed and developing countries. It’s a major source of income and livelihood for many rural laborers and smallholders. While occupying 2.1% of the world’s arable land, cotton meets 27% of the world’s textile needs, and almost nothing from the product is wasted. It’s used in animal feed, cosmetics, edible oils, fuel, textiles, and more, and benefits more than 100 million families across 75 countries on five continents. Cotton is a natural fiber — breathable, comfortable, durable, versatile, and hypoallergenic.
World Cotton Day is observed to reflect the importance of cotton as a global commodity. It’s meant to attract donors and beneficiaries and enhance cotton development assistance, recognize cotton and those involved in producing and trading it, advance related technology and research and development, and find new investors and partners within the private sector.
Like every great invention, LED lights took a long time to be invented and marketed to the world. This is because mankind tends to reject any innovation that they can’t understand, and it may take them a decade or so to realize just how essential the invention is. Russian inventor Oleg Losev created the first LED light in 1927, but nothing was done about the research until much later. Although Oleg had published his discovery in Soviet, German, and British scientific journals, his research remained unnoticed until the mid-1990s. In 1939, Zoltan Bay and Gyorgy Szigeti created the first-ever type of LED and patented the device.
The LED in its real form was finally created in the late 1950s, and by the 1960s, only the red-colored light was available. This was the time when William Shockley filed a patent for an infrared LED, and Nick Holonyak created the first practical visible-spectrum LED. This was just the start. In 1968, Hewlett-Packard began to use LEDs in calculators. Furthermore, more experiments were made with LED colors, and M. George Craford invented the first-ever yellow LED in 1972. However, it wasn’t until 2006 that a white LED was created by Shuji Nakamura. This discovery led him to win a Millennium Technology Prize. It also changed our lives since the white LED can now be spotted in kitchens worldwide. By 2019, homes all over the world had switched to LED lighting.
One afternoon in May 1993, I went up to our Fortress in Würzburg. Once, I walked up the hill, and I captured some photos of the Fortress Marienberg. There is also a large wall, from which visitors can overlook the city of Würzburg, my hometown, where I was born, raised, and lived for 30 years before moving to the United States.
Würzburg was also the filming location for “The Three Musketeers” in 2010. Other places included Bamberg, Burghausen, the Herrenchiemsee Palace, Munich, and Potsdam in Germany. The movie was released in 2011.
This isn’t just any Moon—it’s the first of three Supermoons in 2025, making it the largest and brightest full Moon of the year. Rising low on the horizon, it will appear bigger, brighter, and more golden than any other Moon this year, casting long, glowing light across autumn fields, landscapes, and evening skies. Gardeners, photographers, and stargazers alike will find it a sight to remember.
Because it is a Supermoon—occurring when the Moon is at perigee, its closest point to Earth—it will appear noticeably larger and brighter than a typical full Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23). Unlike other full Moons, it rises about the same time for several nights, providing extended evening light. Historically, this extra illumination helped farmers complete their harvests before fall frosts.
:https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-october
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The fictional character, The Hatter (also known as The Mad Hatter) from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, typically acts silly, and that is how the creators of this day decided on their theme of silliness for National Mad Hatter Day. Sir John Tenniel illustrated The Mad Hatter and all of Lewis Carroll’s colorful characters beginning in 1864. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in 1865.
Taking our inspiration from The Mad Hatter (or any of Carroll’s characters for that matter), we may pursue laughable, absurd, or even confusing adventures on National Mad Hatter Day. Breakout from the usual routine. Ask ridiculous riddles much like The Hatter’s own, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Play croquet with plastic pink flamingos or wear a funny hat to work. Celebrate the day with silliness!
: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-mad-hatter-day-october-6
October 6 is National German-American Day in the United States to celebrate the German heritage millions of Americans claim in our country. This German-American heritage holiday commemorates the 13 German Mennonite families from Krefeld who landed in Philadelphia. On October 6, 1683, these families established the first German settlement in the original thirteen colonies. They named it Germantown.
National German-American Day was initially celebrated in the nineteenth century. However, it fell out of favor during World War I. Then in the 1980s, things began to change. As is tradition, President Ronald Reagan made his world tour in 1982, which included West Germany. Amid a cold war and a divided Germany, the newly elected U.S. President spoke to the people of Bonn. He opened his speech by relating the history of the 13 German families who founded a colony on American soil. He spoke of contributions, advancement, science, and art and the honor of celebrating the German heritage that more than 7 million Americans claim.
To honor the 300th anniversary of German-American immigration and culture into the United States, in 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6th as German-American Day. It was on August 6, 1987, that Congress approved S.I. Resolution 108, designating October 6, 1987, as German-American Day, and it became Public Law 100-104 when President Reagan signed it on August 18. He issued Proclamation #5719 on October 2, 1987, and at this time, the President called on Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. It has been commemorated each year since with Presidential Proclamations.
: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-german-american-day-october-6
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~ Author Unknown ~
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During pre-colonial times, the indigenous Narragansett occupied two-thirds of present-day Rhode Island. But in the 1600s, they welcomed Roger Williams, an exile from Massachusetts, and sold him land to establish “Providence” — a haven for those who believed in religious liberty and the separation of state and church affairs. Soon, the settlement became home to other like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, Providence wasn’t without its internal struggles and secessions, which mainly stemmed from the refusal of the religious population to acknowledge government authority over church matters. Soon, these conflicts were made worse with attempts by neighboring colonies to assert control over what they called the “Rogues Island.” Invasion, intimidation, fraud, and purchase — they tried it all.
While the Rhode Islanders were fighting for self-governance, King James II was thinking of consolidating the English colonies. So, without further ado, Rhode Island became a county of the dominion of New England, and James demanded that the colonies surrender to his Royal Charter.
Rhode Island was one of the first colonies to resist British interference. It was also the first to push for a Continental Congress in 1774 and do away with colonial officials who had sworn an oath of allegiance to Britain. Yet, when the American War of Independence began, Rhode Island suffered grievous losses, losing 30 men at the Battle of Rhode Island. However, General George Washington’s forces soon defeated the British.
When the first appeal to modify the first U.S. Constitution was lodged with Rhode Island officials, the state didn’t acknowledge it. Even once the Constitution was established, Rhode Island was adamant and refused to ratify the document, determined to keep its freedom. However, after much convincing, Rhode Island became the last of the Thirteen Colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution. It joined the Union in 1790.
: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-rhode-island-day-october-5/
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~ The End ~
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Do you remember me posting the Halloween vintage black cat sign three days ago? There was still the “Happy Halloween” panel left over. Brandy from “Making It My Own DIYs” had a very cute idea. But I did my own spin on it.
I had a black frame I got from Goodwill. The frame had some scratches, so I sanded it and repainted it with black chalk paint, then dabbed on PLAIDs “Pumpkin Orange” with a round sponge brush. Once the frame was completely dry, I glued a couple of Jenga blocks on the “Happy Halloween” panel before I secured it to the picture frame. Next, I did the little skeleton witch. Once she was done, I made a messy bow and added everything to the frame. Now, she looks more like a Halloween Skeleton Witch/Fairy. The project turned out great. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same as what we see in videos. It’s always good to bring our own creativity to the plate.
Brandy’s Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htCuIpYASOM&list=TLPQMDIxMDIwMjPnVXFfUuEHyQ&index=1
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After the Fall Festival in Watertown, we made our way to the Harwinton Fall Fair. Sara was thirsty and had a lemonade. A little further down the walkway, we had some bratwurst, and Sara had a chicken sandwich. We walked around for a little bit. Honestly, when you have seen one fair, you have seen them all. Since Sara was tired from her morning XC practice, we left early.
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Kevin and I walked through the vendors’ aisles, while Sara hung out with a friend at the Fall Festival in Veterans Memorial Park. The festival had vendors with homemade items, food trucks, and an alpaca petting zoo. At 3 pm, The Rakes were supposed to be on stage. Since we planned to drive to another local fall festival, we missed the band again.
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World Animal Day dates back to 1925, when Heinrich Zimmermann organized the first celebration in Berlin. Zimmermann, the publisher of a German animal lovers’ magazine, “Man and Dog,” launched the event to raise awareness and improve the welfare of animals. October 4 is also known as the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron Saint of animals. Beloved among all Catholics, Saint Francis was famously recognized for his remarkable way with animals and all living things. Saint Francis is also the chosen papal name for His Holiness himself, Pope Francis. Some Catholic churches have even been known to offer blessings to pets on this day in honor of all Saint Francis has done for animals.
World Animal Day has also become an arena for ecologists to discuss the problems associated with endangered species. Beginning in 2003, the UK-based charity, Naturewatch Foundation, has sponsored the event and organized ways for animal lovers worldwide and take part and make their voices heard in support of our animal friends. This day is not just for domesticated animals; it’s for wild animals, endangered species, and those threatened by environmental devastation or lack of protection. This day is a reminder not just to love the animals in our homes but to appreciate and respect all living things that are a part of our ecosystem.
Pets, particularly dogs and cats, have been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, alleviate loneliness, and promote exercise and playfulness. Caring for an animal can help children become more secure and active as they age. Pets can also be a valuable source of companionship for the elderly. But, it doesn’t just end with pets. Being kind to animals is a great way to get connected with them on a deeper level out of respect and understanding. Being kind to animals is good for you, those around you, and the animals themselves.
In the Philippines, Carlos Polestico Garcia, a lawyer by profession, entered politics when he was elected to the House of Representatives to represent the third district of Bohol. He later became the eighth President of the Philippines. He was known for being a teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, and political economist who was passionate about animals and wildlife. So much so that on September 30, 1958, in the City of Manila, Garcia issued Proclamation No. 537 declaring the fourth day of October each year as Kindness to Animals Day.
The proclamation emphasized the importance of instilling the virtues of kindness, justice, and mercy in all living creatures and condemned all forms of cruelty to both men and animals. Garcia called upon all citizens and residents of the Philippines, government officials and employees, public and private schools, churches, and civic organizations, to observe this special day with programs and ceremonies so that all people can get involved to showcase their compassion for animals.
National Cinnamon Roll Day on October 4 sweetens us up with a Scandinavian pastry. This delicious food holiday is celebrated when a warm bun swirls together a yeasty dough with sugar and cinnamon. Served with coffee or tea and enjoyed with a good book, a friend, or a dance party (don’t judge), it comforts on chilly fall days.
Despite all the sugar in the recipes, cinnamon comes with many benefits. Since it’s loaded with antioxidants, it protects cells from the free radicals that may play a role in heart disease and cancer. It also helps reduce inflammation. Cinnamon may lessen or help fight infections, too. These properties are also benefits of antioxidants. Another benefit includes reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides.
: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-cinnamon-bun-day
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Our Mimosa started to die and eventually needed to be cut down. One day in early April 2013, the tree service came over and chopped. We were actually glad that the tree was done. Mimosas make a big mess. They look pretty only for two to three weeks. However, the rest of the time, they release sticky sap, and their seeds create a mess. However, Ranger loved the tree. It provided a lot of shade for him.
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I’m so excited, my Halloween Kringle Candles have arrived today. In mid-July, the Kringle Candle Company had a special for their Halloween Kringle Tumblers. I believe they could be ordered only for several hours before the sale was over. Kringle Candle Co. had different Halloween candles later in the year, but I wanted to get my fingers on those tumbler candles. In July, I got an email from them saying when they have the sale ready for the Kringle tumblers. I, being crazy for Halloween and candles, had to go for that deal. The online store had plenty of selections to choose from. However, I went for four different scents and purchased six candles in total.
The original founder of the Kringle Candle Co. was no other than Michael Kittredge II himself. He was also the founder of the Yankee Candle Co., which has been in business since 1969. After selling candles nationally and internationally for the past 30 years, Michael Kittredge II sold the Yankee Candle Co. to Forstmann, Little & Co. in 1998. Michael Kittredge II retired from candle making.
In 2008, Michael Kittredge III, the son of the Yankee Candle Co. founder, made his first candle. And it came naturally to him to make and sell candles himself. In 2009, the Kringle Candle Co. was born and has the flagship store with the candle factory/packing, and shipping on an 18,000 sqft. property in Bernardson, Massachusetts. Over 10 years later, the company is still in business, growing its product line and sending the candles all over the United States. Many of the Kringle Candles can also be outside the USA.
Unfortunately, Michael Kittredge died due to cancer in Boston on July 24, 2019. He was 67 years old. May he rest in peace. And we are thankful for the millions of amazing-smelling candles over the past 50+ years.
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After World War II, Germany was divided into four military sectors, each controlled by France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was formed, and on October 7 of the same year, the German Democratic Republic (also known as the DDR — ‘Deutsche Demokratische Republik’) was formed.
The political tensions in post-war Europe did not allow much interaction between the people of the two countries. The DDR exercised strong resistance against the repression of its political opponents. Thousands of people were kept under surveillance by the German police.
On September 4, 1989, a peaceful protest was carried out by the people of Leipzig against the DDR government. More such demonstrations in other DDR cities took place, calling for political reforms and the opening of the borders. On November 9 of that year, the checkpoints between the two German countries were opened, and people could travel freely once more. This date marked the ‘fall’ of the Berlin Wall.
Democratic elections further paved the way for the people to come together in the DDR. Finally, in August 1990, the leaders of both countries signed the Treaty of Unification, and Germany’s unification was made official on October 3, 1990. The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate are two significant symbols of Germany’s division and its subsequent unification in 1990. Images of both are put on display on German Unity Day throughout Germany. The day is celebrated as a three-day festival around the Brandenburg Gate and at the Reichstag around Platz der Republik.
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In 2004, I saw a little lamb costume for Katelynn. She was so cute. Unfortunately, I made the hat piece a little bit too big. But that was okay. She had a lot of fun getting candy on Halloween night.
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This was Katelynn’s First Halloween. She was only 27 days old when I carved the Kitty pumpkin for her. The story behind the pumpkin itself can be found here under this link:
https://underthewhiteoakleaves.com/2022/10/01/my-jack-o-lanterns-2003-2007/
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Katelynn was at the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch for the first time. Oh, she had so much fun playing with the straw. Kevin and I had to fish it out of her clothes later. She was so busy throwing the straw in the air, it went everywhere. The next day, we dressed her up as a lamb. I made the costume myself. The head was a bit big for her. She enjoyed going to Trick-or-Treat with it.
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It was the first year we celebrated Halloween at our new house. I made a DIY-Diddlina candy bag for all the goodies we would receive from going to Trick-or-Treat. On the other hand, Katelynn was still little and a bit unsure if she really liked this whole “Trick-or-Treat” thing. When we walked from door to door, she wasn’t very happy. Once she had some candy, it wasn’t nearly as bad anymore. But she did not like the door-to-door walk at all. A year later, this would be a whole other story. …
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… to be continued …
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Kevin and I hiked in the park for a little bit. Unfortunately, I had the wrong shoes on. We didn’t make it far on the trail before we turned around. But we enjoyed the slow change of leaves. When we walked past a fish pond, Kevin saw a chipmunk and wanted to see where it hid after he went up a small hill. He found an entrance to a den. When he walked down, something jumped against his leg. Kevin looked closer and saw it was a frog. The little Pickerel Frog was patient enough for me to take some photos before it leaped across the trail to get back to the pond. Beautiful critters, we see when we go outdoors.
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~ 10/03/2021 ~
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Since I love Halloween and I am stuck on a budget, I looked at some DIYs on YouTube. I stumbled across Brandy’s “Making It My Own DIYs”. Her videos are so inspiring and make a Dollar store item look like it’s worth a lot more Dollars. It is so much fun to be creative. I fell in love with her Halloween Vintage Black Cat Sign in one of her videos. So, I gathered all the materials I could find in Dollar Tree, Goodwill, and Temu. And here is my own creation. I made it my own DIYs.
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Colonization of the area today called Watertown began around 1657. At that time, the colony was called “Mattatock”, though it had several variations in spelling through the years. The land where Watertown is now located, having originally belonged to Mattatock, officially changed its name to Watterbury (now Waterbury) by record on March 20, 1695, by consensus of a council. The original Colony of Mattatuck, which became Watterbury, then Waterbury in name, comprised a much greater land area than Waterbury does today. Thomas Judd and other families were among the first investors to buy the land as a group. The Town of Watertown was officially incorporated in 1780.
Resource:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watertown,_Connecticut
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Back in 2003, Kevin was on leave for Katelynn’s birth from Iraq. Before he had to go back for another couple of months, we went to the Commissary. Kevin looked in a box filled with ‘Jack-o-Lanterns’ and found the perfect pumpkin. That squash looked like it fell out of a painting or was in the story of Cinderella. Kevin knew he couldn’t be with us for Halloween. And I wanted to make something really cute for Katelynn. Kevin and I found a booklet, and we picked the perfect stencil. Kevin said, “I want you to make the pumpkin as beautiful as you can, capture a few pictures, and send them to me on Halloween! I will be stuck in Iraq, again. But I want to be a part of it! It is Katelynn’s very first Halloween.” Said, and done! Since our little family was ripped apart for this special day, the ‘Pumpkin 2003’ will always be my favorite. It was an emotional one. From that day on, I made a tradition out of pumpkin carving. Every year, Katelynn gets her stenciled ‘Jack’. And when Sara came along, she got her own ‘Jack’, as well.
I will introduce some pumpkins every Wednesday throughout October. Enjoy, and maybe get your own ideas! If you like to show me pictures of your Jack-o-Lantern, feel free to drop a link in the comment section below. I would love to see your artwork.
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Squirrel Awareness Month was founded in 1995 by a man named Greg Bassett, who had an encounter with a squirrel. After that, he founded the Squirrel Lover’s Club to educate others about these adorable little creatures. Squirrels belong to the rodent family. There are more than 200 different species of squirrel around the globe. There are many different types of squirrels, such as ground squirrels, flying squirrels, woodchucks, chipmunks, and others. Although squirrels are typically thought of as an undesirable nuisance, their presence benefits the ecosystem and, in urban areas, contributes to the attractiveness of parks.
Squirrels were not common in American cities until the mid-19th century. To have squirrels in city parks, you’d have to change the landscape through tree planting and building parks. You also needed to change people’s behavior by dissuading them from killing squirrels and instead encouraging people to feed the animals.
In 1847, the first recorded introduction took place in Philadelphia’s Franklin Square. New Haven and Boston followed suit a few years later, in 1850, bringing in squirrels. By the 1860s, the squirrel experiment had come to an end, with many squirrels either dying or being killed due to concerns that they might disturb birds and cause insect problems. However, squirrel releases resumed in the 1870s on a larger scale, as enormous parks were built in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Chicago, and other big cities, providing a welcome habitat for squirrels to live and thrive.
Pitbull Awareness Month was formed in 2007 to assist in increasing awareness of the truth about pit bulls. Pitbull rescue and education group Bless the Bullys in Tennessee came up with the concept of National Pitbull Awareness Month, which quickly caught on and spread throughout the country. Pitbulls have been referred to as ‘nanny dogs’ for almost a century because of their loyalty, docility, and love.
Pitbulls were once viewed as a representation of American pride. They can be therapy and service dogs too. You can depend on them for anything. The traits that make these dogs such great companions — like loyalty, strength, and a desire to please their family — however, they have been misused by a small number of people, leading to criticism of the entire breed throughout time. They are perceived as being nasty, malevolent, and possibly deadly creatures. a portrayal that is far from accurate and is based more on the conduct of the criticized people than that of animals.
Pitbulls were bred for dog fighting, which was regrettably common at the time, but they were developed in England in the 18th century as a hybrid between a bulldog and a terrier to help reduce pests and rats brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Even before the breed was dubbed the American Staffordshire Pitbull in the 1980s, many who breed and own the dogs have long believed them to be devoted family companions.
Apples have been around for nearly 10,000 years. Not only are they a common fruit to consume, but apples have also been highly involved in cultural contexts. Originating from the Malus sieversii species in the mountains of Kazakhstan, the earliest apples were wild and pretty unpleasant to consume. These were very different from the delicious modern domesticated apples — the Malus domestica — that we know today.
Through domestication and globalization, over time, apple varieties became more civilized and better for consumption — so much so that they have been eaten as dessert in China for more than 2,000 years! As apples traveled along the Silk Route and eventually made their way around the world, apple cultivation was on the rise. With an emphasis on the fruit’s size, color, firmness, and acidity, grafting was widely used to conduct optimal breeding. The cultivars — cultivated apples — were originally stored in frostproof cellars by farmers. However, as apples became one of the leading fruits of the multibillion-dollar industry, advancements were made in their storage. In the 1960s, the U.S. used the first-ever controlled atmosphere storage facility designed for apples.
Not only have apples been integral to the food industry, but they have also been a central character in several cultural contexts. This hasn’t all been positive, though. Literary texts around the 16th century started to mention the apple as the Forbidden Fruit that Adam and Eve ate. Famous painters of the time hopped onto this rumor as they showed Adam and Eve resting under apple trees. Even Disney played a part in the apple’s bad rap with the Poisoned Apple in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” That being said, being an apple also has its pros. It is considered the Fruit of Knowledge, it is essential for a Thanksgiving dessert spread, and it is arguably the star of fall (sorry, pumpkin). There is no better time to celebrate it than in October — National Apple Month.
National Raccoon Day was brought to light through the efforts of a young Californian girl in 2002. She spread awareness of the significance of raccoons in the ecosystem. The following year, International Raccoon Appreciation Day became widely accepted among those who share similar dreams.
Raccoons are medium-sized, nocturnal, omnivorous, and furry animals, with dark masks around their eyes. They are highly ubiquitous animals that live in dens, on trees, and wherever food exists. Their original habitat is mixed forests, like in North and Central America, Europe, and Japan. The European Union prohibits transporting, importing, breeding, commercializing, or intentionally releasing them into the environment. They pose no threats to us, though.
We collectively work to clear the misconceptions surrounding these animals and look for practical steps to help save their habitat. Remember, just like all other animals, raccoons have their role in the ecosystem. Without them, the balance we have cannot remain the same.
Originating in Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean, kale was cultivated for consumption as early as 2000 B.C. Cabbage variants with curly leaves were in supply in 400 B.C. Greece, alongside the flat-leaved ones. These early variants are said to be the predecessors of what we now call kale. The Romans called it Sabellian kale.
The first mention of cabbage in Western Europe emerged in the 1200s, specifically regarding hard-headed cabbage. Records from the 1300s highlight the differences between loose-leafed kale and hard-headed cabbage. In the 1800s, Russian traders brought kale into Canada and subsequently the United States. David Fairchild, a USDA botanist, gets the credit for introducing kale to America. He brought it from Croatia despite disliking cabbage, kale included. The easy nature of cultivation and its affordability were responsible for its popularity in Croatia. Desalination of soil was another great benefit.
During the Second World War, the Dig for Victory campaign promoted kale cultivation in Britain. At the time, the vegetable was the perfect candidate for cultivation because it provided crucial nutrients lacking from meals due to rationing. Kale was typically used for decoration in the U.S. It gained recognition as an edible food during the 1990s because of its rich nutritional value. The 2010s saw kale gain popularity, becoming a diet favorite despite other vegetables being just as rich in nutrients. National Kale Day was founded by Chef Jennifer Iserloh and Dr. Drew Ramsey to celebrate the health benefits of kale and its many culinary applications. They entered a petition at Change.org aimed at giving the observance legitimacy.
The American coot (Fulica americana), also known as a mud hen, is a bird of the family Rallidae. Though commonly mistaken for ducks, American coots are only distantly related to ducks, belonging to a separate order. Unlike the webbed feet of ducks, coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step, which facilitates walking on dry land. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America. Groups of coots are called a “raft” or “cover”. The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old.
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My favorite month has arrived! October has all the beautiful Autumn activities I like the most. We can go pumpkin picking at the farms, wear sweaters, while shopping for Autumn goodies, and eat and drink a lot of Pumpkin Spice everything. and watch the leaves finally turning in beautiful shades of gold, orange, and red. In the meantime, decorations will go up to make our house and yard look more spooky for the Halloween season.
I LOVE OCTOBER!
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Under The Harvest Moon 