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Winter In Connecticut 2025
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Snow In Southern New England (2)
Category: 2025
The First Christmas Present 🐘
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Kevin and I met in a club 25 years ago. He was with a couple of friends, who were friends with my friends. After a couple of drinks, we got into a conversation. When I was ready to go home, he gave me a ride to my apartment. Since he knew where I worked, he had shown up the next day. Usually, I don’t give out my phone number unless someone asks for it or I ask for theirs. But when Kevin was standing in front of me, I said, “Dude, I forgot to give you my number last night. If you want to hang out, give me a call. Maybe we can do something for Christmas together.” Kevin agreed, folded the note, and left. The same night, he called me. And we were talking over a beer in a bar.
The next day was Christmas Eve. I was on vacation leave for the remaining days of the year. Months ago, a friend of mine and I planned a small Christmas dinner for the night before Christmas. I asked her if it was okay if I brought a friend over. She said: “Well, it’s Christmas. Nobody should celebrate this special holiday alone.” Kevin picked me up from home. When I sat in the car and we talked a little, he opened the glove box and handed me a small present. I shook it to hear what might be in there. Kevin screamed: “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Later on, I found out why he did that. Well, the little elephant lost part of its trunk when I shook the little box. Even when the elephant doesn’t look perfect anymore. But it is a story worth talking about. It was very sweet of him since we had known each other for a couple of days. It was the first gift I got from Kevin. I still treasure these three wooden elephants to this very day.
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National Pfeffernüsse Day 2025
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Pfeffernüsse, known as ‘pepernoten’ or peppernuts, originated from Central Europe. A confectioner from Offenbach am Main, named Johann Fleischmann, is believed to have created the recipe in 1753. Since then, the cookie has become very popular, attracting the interest of many people, including renowned individuals like Felix Mendelssohn.
Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands are the countries most popularly known for this delicacy. In North America, the ethnic Mennonites are also very fond of pfeffernüsse. Today, the recipe is widely available, and the cookie is widely consumed worldwide. However, pfeffernusse is traditionally reserved for the holiday period, around December. This is in keeping with the tradition of its origins, as the cookie has been associated with the celebration of Saint Nicholas Day and Christmas.
The traditional recipe consists of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, mace, anise, sugar, butter, eggs, and flour. Popular nuts such as walnuts and almonds are also used to give the cookie some flavor. Leavening agents are applied to the mixture, kneaded, and then baked. They usually come out hard from the oven, but would soften after a few days. Also, they are tiny and are sometimes shaped like nuts, which is probably why they are called peppernuts. Nowadays, bakers make alterations to this recipe to include some other ingredients or remove some existing ones. While they generally have a spicy taste, you can easily adjust the spice you want. On National Pfeffernüsse Day, homemade peppernuts are made available for the family and guests.
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-pfeffernusse-day/
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Hiking At Table Rock Mountain By Morganton, North Carolina 2002
Since it didn’t work out as planned at Chimney Rock, Kevin decided to approach a different trail. We had his older brother and our sister-in-law in tow when we went up to Table Rock Mountain. Table Rock Mountain is not far from Morganton and features some nice trails that can be easily accessed from the parking lot. It was a beautiful afternoon hike, where I could see the Linville Gorge and plenty of vegetation. Many plants looked familiar to me. And I pointed that out to my brother-in-law. He replied that many of these plants were introduced from Europe and have become invasive species, and/or Europeans have discovered what grows best in various types of soil.
After reaching the parking lot and quenching our thirst with water, we drove back down toward Morganton and then to Valdese. It was time for dinner. And Kevin’s parents were waiting for us.
… to be continued …
Winter Wonderland (4)
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Winter In Texas ~ 2010
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Sunrise On The First Day of Winter/Yule 2025
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Happy Winter Solstice! ❄ Blessed Yule!
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The Fourth Advent Sunday 2025
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Blessed 4th Advent
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Winter Solstice/Yuletide 2025
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Our ancestors depended on the passage of time and seasons. And the best way to measure the seasons was by observing the Sun and the Earth’s orbit around it. The winter solstice is the time of the year when the Sun is reborn, announcing a new season.
On December 21, the day is shorter as the Sun seems to stand still at a lower elevation, making the night longer. But it is a transition period that ushers in a new season of more sunlight. Yule celebrations used to be tied with different pagan traditions, bordering on mythology and culture. Popular notions include the myth of the goddess giving birth to the Sun god. There is also the celebration of the surrender of power from the Holly King to the Oak King. Plus, the ancient festival of the Germanic people about the Wild Hunt and the god Odin is also around the same time.
All the above form the crust of the Yule celebration. But, as stated earlier, it is even more symbolic in that it helped our ancestors to determine times and seasons. Understanding times and seasons was usually the difference between life and death, food availability and famine, victory and defeat, and many other things. With the introduction of Christianity, the Yule celebration has been linked with Christmas traditions too. It’s thought that December 25 was chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ because it is the renewal period. Yule and Christmas both share certain similarities, and they often overlap as well.
:https://nationaltoday.com/yule/
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National Maine Day 2025
Before Maine was colonized by French and English settlers, it was populated by Wabanaki tribes. Until two centuries ago, Maine was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, before it voted to leave Massachusetts. As part of the Missouri Compromise, it became a separate state. It was then admitted to the Union as the 23rd state.
Nobody can say for sure why it is called Maine. Some say it was named by French colonizers after the province of Maine in France. Others say it was named by English colonizers as a reference to the mainland. Either way, it is Maine today, and it is the only state named with a single syllable, and also the only state to border only one other state.
Maine’s rocky coastline, rugged mountains, lush green expanses, and winding waterways have inspired numerous artists. From writers and poets to painters, they have all flourished here for centuries. Maine’s mountains and shores offer enough hidden treasures for tourists and locals alike.
Addison Kaboom Town, Texas 2011 (1)
Kevin, Courtney, and I went with the kids and a stroller full of coolers, blankets, and towels from a parking garage to the Addison Circle, which leads to the entrance of Kaboom Town. Addison opens the gates around 4 or 5 pm. The earlier we arrive, the better our chances are of getting a decent spot. It was a very hot Independence Day weekend. So, we adults decided to pick a shaded spot under a couple of trees close to the water fountains and the bathrooms. Once our blankets were laid out, the girls wanted to play in the fountain and cool off. There was still plenty of time for the airshow and fireworks. By the time the sun is behind the horizon, the kids can rest and watch the shows. It didn’t take long before Sara was hungry and wanted to eat a sandwich. Thank goodness, we always bring our cooler with us. Katelynn rested with her Dad on the blanket for a little bit before she decided she was hungry, too.
… to be continued …
Last Day of Autumn ~ 2025
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Blossoms gone, just leaves remain
Rich and crisp, strong and tense
Defying all that comes their way
With crackled skin and golden veins
The sun picks out their curling tips
That waver in the autumn glow.
An almanac of vibrancy
Russet, ochre, fills the skies
As I tramp upon the shady floor.
But there, up there,
I see no birds nor hear their song
Yet I can hear October’s air,
Nature’s chanter plays her tune,
Its modest whistle rising high
A thousand leaves dance in reply
Rustling, brushing, side by side
Sweeping, searching, as they blow
In one last crazy dance
Caressing as they rise and fall.
The branches’ softly swishing tails
In unison, they flow
Like a thousand batons synchronized
Or violins in forest guise
Leaves cling tight to their trapeze
Swinging madly in the breeze
I marvel at their majesty
But know it cannot last
For soon the leaves will perish
And all this will be gone.
Author: Paul Colvin
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The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (11)
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1) Peas; 2) Cucumber Blossom; 3) Pumpkin Blossom; 4) Avocado Plant
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Aurum & Evergreen”
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Aurum & Evergreen
Festively blended with pink grapefruit and apple infused with pomegranate and cinnamon leaf, Aurum & Evergreen is a noble scent with ribbons of vanilla snow and Siberian Fir throughout.
Top: Sparkling Pink Grapefruit, Green Apple Peel, Valencia Orange
Mid: Pomegranate Juice, Cinnamon Leaf, Strawberry Jam
Base: Sugar Crystals, Vanilla Snow, Siberian Fir
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Rosa ‘Knock Out’ Roses 🌹
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December Fog In The Naugatuck River Valley (1)
Morning Fog rolled in from the lake onto our property this morning.
Flake Appreciation Day 2025
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Snowflakes are a subject of thought and appreciation on Flake Appreciation Day. The event is celebrated around December when snow begins to fall in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Snowflakes can be classified into one of 35 different shape groups based on their size and shape. When water vapor in the clouds condenses into ice crystals, snowflakes spontaneously appear in nature. Snowflakes’ shapes are influenced by elements such as dust, temperature, humidity, and air currents.
There are different numbers of water molecules in snowflakes, which cause them to form a crystal pattern. Due to diffuse reflection, snowflakes appear white, even though they are composed of clear ice. Snowflakes are usually studied by putting a chemical compound on a glass plate and allowing a flake to land on the plate. The chemical compound covers the snowflake and hardens. The snowflake leaves its shape behind after it melts.
The history of snowflakes was greatly influenced by Wilson Bentley. He was born in 1865 in Jericho, Vermont. His work is significant as he helped discover that no two snowflakes are exactly alike. He used a type of photography that uses microscopes called photomicrography to take pictures of 5,000 snowflakes. Bentley published articles and books about his findings and donated some of his photographs to the Smithsonian Institution. He was the world’s leading snowflake expert and was referred to as ‘The Snowflake Man’ until he died in 1931.
:https://nationaltoday.com/flake-appreciation-day/
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Christmas Season (Part III) 2008 – 2009
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2008
Since Kevin’s homemade Christmas tree got positive feedback, he installed it again in 2008. The same year, I decorated a Christmas wreath for our girls.
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2009
Sara’s 1st Christmas; She was still so tiny.
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… to be continued …
In The Healing Garden At The Yale/New Haven Hospital 2021
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Kevin came for a visit today. After I took a long-needed shower, we went to the Healing Garden on the 7th floor of the Yale-New Haven Hospital. It’s not very big. However, the garden can be a nice little oasis. At this time of the year, it’s mostly grayish/brown or snowed-in white. I was amazed to find a blooming Rhododendron bush in this cold weather. There is a water feature. But it is not running due to the Winter. On the mulch, between some plants, painted stones with motivating quotes can be found. Some of the trees have cute painted birdhouses hanging from their branches. The birds seemed to like them. They might overwinter in these birdhouses. It was great to get some fresh air outdoors. For a week, I spent most of my time in my hospital room. It was a welcome change.
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~ 12/05/2021 ~
National Wright Brothers Day 2025
The US Code directs that Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled airplane. Orville and Wilbur Wright made that first successful flight on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While other inventors created planes that flew, Orville and Wilbur invented the first mechanically propelled airplane. Those inventors who came before them also inspired the Wright brothers in many ways. From a young age, Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, developed a fascination with flight. Inspired by a rubber band-propelled helicopter created by the inventor, Alphonse Penaud, the brothers dedicated their lives to the invention. They first found success manufacturing bicycles, including the Van Cleve and St. Clair.
Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis)
The differential grasshopper is found throughout most of the United States, except for the northwest. Within its range, it is most often found in heavily weeded areas and grasslands, and even in vacant lots and other urban areas. This species is not migratory but can travel a few miles to search for food.
Chimney Rock Village & Lake Lure In North Carolina 2002
Kevin and I traveled to Chimney Rock one morning. After we found out how expensive it was to get to the platform, we decided to take a stroll in Chimney Rock Village and spend some time at the Broad River and Lake Lure. It turned out to be a nice trip. Kevin and I would rather save our money for our honeymoon at Walt Disney World.
… to be continued …
Winter Sunrise In New England (2)
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Winter In Connecticut 2025
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Bill of Rights Day 2025
The Bill of Rights Day is observed on December 15 in the United States. It’s an important day to celebrate America’s Constitution and the framework of society that ascribes rights and freedoms to society. Bill of Rights Day commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, with the National Archives documenting its many celebrations of the day. The Bill was introduced by James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States. Now, the Bill of Rights is displayed in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., as a reminder to all Americans of their constitutional freedoms.
Winter Wonderland (3)
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Christmas 2009
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Snow In Southern New England (1)
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Winter In New England 2025
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Remembering Sandy Hook …
In Memory of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook
Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012
Here in Newtown, I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation. I am very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts. I can only hope it helps for you to know that you’re not alone in your grief; that our world, too, has been torn apart; that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you.
~ President Barack Obama, Newtown, Connecticut 12/16/2012
Joshua’s 19th(!) Birthday
That cat … THAT CAT gets on our last nerves! He’s ornery; he does what he wants; he scatches every door frame to get into a room, even when we just “kicked” him out; he doesn’t let Kevin sleep; he complains, when we push him in the middle of the bed, so Kevin and I can stretch out; he gets himself stuck under the car wheel (we are still surprised, he didn’t kill himself yet). … Yeah, that boy ain’t that cute. We are still amazed that Josh made it to 19. … Well, we signed up for that 13 years ago. And now, we’re gonna deal with it until he decides to cross the Rainbow Bridge. That might take another five to ten years. But after all, we love him. So, we want to wish Joshua a very happy, crouchy Birthday!
The Third Advent Sunday 2025
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Blessed 3rd Advent
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Monkey Day 2025 🐒
It’s a difficult task to pinpoint the exact moment that monkeys first emerged as a unique species within the animal kingdom, but it is believed that their appearance took place approximately 60 million years ago. This vast amount of time would pass, month by month by millennium, both creeping and speeding along, without the existence of a National Monkey Day! At long last, though, thanks to two pioneering college students, this would change in the year 2000.
Casey Sorrow and Erik Millikin, both studying art at Michigan State University, are responsible for the creation of this simian-centric celebratory day. Sorrow (fittingly) would admit to the Detroit Metro Times that he experienced a form of malaise around the holiday season and felt compelled to find a way to combat these December blues. After jokingly jotting down “Monkey Day” in a friend’s calendar, Sorrow took the idea and ran with it: when December 14th rolled around, he and his art school friends dressed up as monkeys and ran amok, putting on their best monkey impressions.
They would go on to incorporate ideas related to their newly formed holiday into their artwork and homemade comics. Publishing these pieces online allowed for the notion of a Monkey Day to spread, and now, decades on, the day is observed throughout the world in countries including Germany, India, and Thailand.
What started out as a bit of fun has evolved into a full-blown operation. Monkey Day serves as an important anniversary each year for raising awareness of modern threats to monkeys, with entities such as National Geographic, the Smithsonian Institution, and Greenpeace promoting the day. Sorrow and Millikin have also been instrumental in utilizing monkey-themed art as vehicles to serve this end, as well. Their work has brought an entirely new understanding of the term “monkey business!”
The Liberty By The Lake Fireworks In The Colony, Texas 2011
Liberty By The Lake 2011
The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (10)
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1) Corn; 2) Snap Pea Blossom; 3) Sunflower; 4) Cucumber
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Stardust”
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Stardust
Stardust is a heavenly constellation of bold florals, warm amber, and musky woods.
Top: Green, Lemon, Floral
Mid: Amber, Jasmine, Nutmeg, Orchid
Base: Benzoin, Musky, Oriental, Sandalwood
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National Poinsettia Day 2025
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That pop of floral color in everyone’s home means the holidays are right around the corner. National Poinsettia Day on December 12 also forms a cultural bridge between the U.S. and Mexico. Poinsettias, known as Euphorbia Pulcherrima, come in hundreds of beautiful colors. Even if you have a limited holiday decorating budget, strategically placed poinsettias can enhance your home in a variety of ways. Bottom line: What’s a holiday party without a gorgeous poinsettia plant on the mantle?
: https://nationaltoday.com/national-poinsettia-day/
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Gingerbread House Day 2025
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Nothing brings in the holidays like the smell of freshly baked gingerbread. But before the decorative cookie led the popularity contest on the holiday dessert table, baking gingerbread was acknowledged as a specific profession. In the 17th century, only professional gingerbread bakers were allowed to make gingerbread, except at Christmas and Easter, when anyone was allowed to bake it.
In Europe, gingerbread was sold in special shops and at seasonal markets that sold sweets and gingerbread shaped as hearts, stars, soldiers, babies, trumpets, swords, pistols, and animals. Gingerbread was especially sold outside churches on Sundays. Religious gingerbread reliefs were purchased for particular religious events such as Christmas and Lent. Decorated gingerbread was given as presents to adults and children or as a love token bought specifically for weddings.
Gingerbread was also considered a form of popular art in Europe. Molds often displayed actual happenings by portraying new rulers, their children, spouses, and parties. Substantial mold collections are held at the Ethnographic Museum in Toruń, Poland, and the Bread Museum in Ulm, Germany. According to some food historians, the tradition of making gingerbread houses started in Germany in the early 1800s. The first gingerbread houses were the result of the well-known Grimm’s fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel.” After this story was published, German bakers began baking ornamented fairy-tale houses made from gingerbread. They were brought over to America by German immigrants and became popular during the Christmas season.
:https://nationaltoday.com/gingerbread-house-day/
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Golden Groundsel 🏵
Golden Groundsel (Packera obovata)
International Mountain Day 2025 🏔
Every year on December 11th, International Mountain Day raises awareness of the importance of mountains. The conservation of mountains is a key factor in sustainable development. Mountains cover 27% of the Earth’s landmass. According to the United Nations, 15% of the world’s population lives in the mountains. The mountains are also home to one-quarter of the world’s land animals and plants. Additionally, across the globe, mountains provide freshwater to half of the world’s population. Another role mountains play is providing food resources. Six of the world’s most important food crops grow in the mountains.
As you can see, mountains are extremely important. Sadly, however, climate change and over-exploitation threaten our majestic mountains. As a result, the livelihood of those who live in the mountains is also under threat. Mountain people are among the poorest in the world. These threats to their home make it even more challenging to survive.
Winter Sunrise In New England (2)
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Winter In Connecticut 2025
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Christmas Season (Part II) 2006 – 2007
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2006
In the Christmas Season of 2006, Kevin, Katelynn, and I visited California. Since we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Kevin’s grandparents in Anaheim, we stayed an extra day to go to Disneyland.
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2007
In December 2007, Kevin installed his first outdoor Christmas tree made of Christmas light chains. Everything was held up by a PVC pipe.
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… to be continued …
When Health Takes A Different Turn ~ 2021
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I’m still at the hospital. But I am now in much better shape than when I came into the Waterbury Hospital ER last Sunday. Now, I’m sitting in a chair in front of my laptop, writing this blog in my Yale-New Haven Hospital room. What a journey it has been so far, and I still have a long way to go. Let me tell you what happened and what I know so far.
Saturday night, we’ve got the Christmas tree decorated in the front room. I stepped with my camera outside to capture photos of the tree in the front room window, when I began to feel nauseous. I took some deep breaths to no avail, feeling better. I went back into the house to put my camera down, telling Kevin how I felt and that I was going to the bedroom upstairs. After resting in bed for about five minutes, I had to go to the bathroom. I had really bad diarrhea and blamed it on the hot dog I had eaten earlier in the afternoon. But when I looked at my bowel, I noticed something concerning: it was dark brown, almost black. After I lay back down, I could sleep for two hours. I felt fine until I turned on my side. I was sick all night. And in the morning, I had the same color in my vomit. I let Kevin look at it to confirm if it was blood. He wasn’t sure, but looked concerned as well. That’s when I said: “I’m not messing around with this. I want to go to the ER! A doctor needs to see this. Especially knowing I’m chronically anemic.” Kevin agreed with me. Later that day, I found out that this was a lifesaving decision.
In the ER, I got a bed fairly quick, granted, how busy the place was that day, after I stated: “Nausea, vomit, diarrhea with the possibility of blood in vomit and stool”. After a CT scan, ultrasound, urine & stool samples, and a couple of other bloody puking episodes, I’ve got an answer: “Pancreatitis with the possibility of an ulcer in my stomach; not even to mention my portal vein”. At that point, Kevin and I knew I would stay in the hospital overnight.
In the following days, more tests were done. And I kept finding out more as we went. Meanwhile, the doctors put me on an intravenous liquid diet to keep me hydrated. No water, no food for three days, due to tests and healing. On Monday, I’ve got an esophagogastroduodenoscopy done. Later, I found out I had some bleeding in the esophagus and a stomach ulcer. The doctor also discussed my history of portal vein thrombosis, the possible cause of a hemorrhage and narrowing in the portal vein, and that I might need Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Insertion (TIPS). A team of doctors began to communicate with a team of gastroenterologists at Yale-New Haven Hospital about my health situation. On Wednesday, I found out I’ll get a ride to Yale. While waiting for my bed in New Haven, I was finally put on a Clear Liquid Diet. Thursday night, a room and a bed were ready for me. And I arrived at Yale at about 1 am on Friday. At 4 am, a doctor discussed with me my health situation, more tests, the TIPS procedure, a possible timeline, etc., and I pressed for some iron infusions as well. WTH, I lost a lot of blood already. And my hemoglobin level is in the basement. I do not want another panic attack episode due to anemia ever again. It sucks!
Since I arrived in New Haven, I’ve had another CT scan done, can eat on a regular hospital diet, and found out a bit more about my portal vein problems. Unfortunately, I have another blood clot in my veins. But the GI doctors will discuss more, how they will put that shunt in my vein to keep it from bulging out, bleeding, and narrowing due to a former nasty blood clot, I had back in the Summer of 2018. I will stay very positive because I feel I’m in good hands with a great GI team here at Yale. Doctors keep me updated as they go. Due to today’s medicine and technology, there is a great possibility that doctors can remove the clot while they do the TIPS procedure. The nurses are wonderful in both hospitals. Now, I’ve got the weekend off with tests and can relax a little bit. There is not much that I can do other than follow the doctors’ advice to have a positive outlook, eat and drink on a hospital diet, take my medication, and keep my mind busy by reading a book, watching TV, writing my blogs, and communicating with family and friends online. One doctor said, “We will have you fixed by Christmas. This will be your Christmas present.” Well, it will definitely be a very nice Christmas present. I can’t think of a more precious gift than a healthy life.
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~ 12/04/2021 ~
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
The American flamingo is a large bird with long pink legs and webbed feet. The plumage is a distinctive pink, with black on the flight feathers (the long feathers at the tips of the wings). The bill is pink and white with a black tip. The plumage coloring comes from the carotene that is found in the food that is eaten, such as brine shrimp. They live in large shallow lakes, lagoons, and mud flats in the Caribbean Islands, northern South America, the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, and the southern United States.
National Llama Day 2025 🦙
Though they were likely originally dwellers of both North and South America, llamas are believed to have gone extinct in North America during the last ice age, leaving them only in South America.
A cousin to alpacas, llamas were domesticated by humans around 4,000 or even 5,000 years ago, starting in Peru and the Andes mountains. Able to navigate tricky trails, llamas were often used as pack animals in these mountainous areas to carry loads of goods, while their fur was used to make textiles and fabrics.
In modern times, llamas are also often kept domestically on farms, sometimes as guard animals for other flocks such as sheep or even alpacas. Since they can live an average of 20 years, or even up to 30 years, owning a llama is a long-term commitment. And they love to be in herds, so it’s best to never have only one llama but at least two, or even several.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 2002
The first weekend we visited Kevin’s parents in North Carolina, we went on a day trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Gatlinburg is one of those places I call “tourist traps”. It’s all fine that Eastern Tennessee wants to make money. But, I can care less about all this hustle & bustle in that town. Originally, my father-in-law wanted to take us to a place close by to show us some Cherokee and Civil War history. Well, that didn’t work out that way. And it was partially my fault as well. Because I said I’d rather see the attractions in Gatlinburg. Now, I wish I had said “yes” to history. But I’m also 22 years older and hopefully smarter.
On the way back to North Carolina, we stopped at the Interstate 40 Welcome Center. It’s a nice center with some outdoor walking area in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. In the meantime, we stopped there several times while traveling from Texas to North Carolina.
… to be continued …
Winter Sunrise In New England (1)
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Winter In Connecticut 2025
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Bodhi Day 2025 🕉
Bodhi Day is observed to mark the moment that took place 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha or ‘awakened one’. The story goes that, rejecting the luxurious lifestyle of a prince, Siddharta left the comforts of the palace at the age of 29 and went on a journey of deep introspection to seek meaning in life.
He meditated in Bodh Gaya, a town in northeastern India, under a Peepal tree (a species of Banyan fig), now famously known as the Bodhi Tree, and resolved to continue meditating until he achieved ‘bodhi’ (‘enlightenment’). He attained bodhi at the age of 35, after 49 days of continuous meditation. He was now able to see how everyone and everything was connected and therefore reached a state of enlightenment that would lead him to create the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), Samudaya (arising), Nirodha (cessation), and Magga (path) in which the Eightfold Path is set out.
Buddhists commemorate this day by meditating, studying the ‘dharma’ (‘universal truth or law’), chanting sutras (Buddhist texts), and performing kind acts towards other beings. Some people mark the day in a more traditional sense by cooking a meal of tea and cakes. Bodhi tree plantings are held throughout the month and are usually accompanied by tea ceremonies, while incense and multi-colored lights are displayed during the following month in the capital city of Tokyo and in towns and villages across the country.
: https://nationaltoday.com/bodhi-day/
Winter Wonderland (2) ☃
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Winter In Texas (2008 – 2009)
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The Second Advent Sunday 2025
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Blessed 2nd Advent
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The Independence Day Parade In The Colony, Texas 2011
In 2011, Sara was old enough to take her to her first Independence Day parade. It was hot the whole weekend. But we were prepared. Plenty of water, sunscreen, and sitting in the shade helped tremendously. Katelynn and Sara both enjoyed the parade’s colors and candy. There were parrots, pirates, landmarks, Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, the Fire Department & Police Department, and so many flags. It was a wonderful event to see people from the community celebrating the 4th of July.
The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight @ The Palace Theater In Waterbury, Connecticut ~ 12/05/2025 🎻🎸
Kevin, Sara, and I had an amazing evening seeing The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight last night. We witnessed the union of classical music and metal. The band of 14 musicians performed the music of iconic rock bands, including Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, Linkin’ Park & many more.
St. Nicholas Day 2025
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St. Nicholas derived from Nicholas of Myra and was a bishop in 4th-century Greece. He was known for selling off his own items and then giving the money to the poor. He would commonly leave coins in people’s shoes and dedicate his entire life to serving people who were sick and suffering. This is how he gained his saint status, and is what inspired St. Nicholas Day (also commonly known as Feast Day or the Feast of St. Nicholas).
One well-known story of St. Nicholas involves a dowry for a father’s three daughters. In the third century, it was common for fathers to offer money to prospective husbands. However, one poor father with three daughters did not have the money to do this. St. Nicholas paid for all three daughters’ dowries by leaving gold in their shoes.
As time passed, St. Nicholas Day began in different ways. In Italy, this day was celebrated with feasts, gift-giving, and festivals. In other European countries like Germany and the Netherlands, children would leave their shoes or special St. Nicholas boots in front of the fireplace or front door at night and find presents in them in the morning. The history of St. Nicholas and his good deeds was part of the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus and Father Christmas, which is why there are some current traditions of leaving gifts in people’s boots or shoes (or stockings).
:https://nationaltoday.com/st-nicholas-day/
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The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (9)
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1) Cucumber; 2) Sugar Snap Pea Blossom; 3) Green Beans; 4) Avocado
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Christmas Stroll”
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Christmas Stroll
Inspired by fresh-cut Christmas trees and the hot mulled cider served during Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll, the company president’s father, Mike Kittredge II, helped design this bright holiday scent.
Top: Balsam Fir, Pine
Mid: Green, Moss, Sweet
Base: Spice, Winter Air
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Knecht Ruprecht & Krampus Folklore
In German folklore, Knecht Ruprecht, which translates as Farmhand Rupert or Servant Rupert, is a companion of Saint Nicholas and is possibly the most familiar. Tradition holds that he was a man with a long beard, wearing fur, or covered in pea straw. Knecht Ruprecht sometimes carried a long staff and a bag of ashes and wore little bells on his clothes.
According to tradition, Knecht Ruprecht asks children whether they know their prayers. If they do, they receive apples, nuts, and gingerbread. If they do not, he beats the children with his bag of ashes. In other (presumably more modern) versions of the story, Knecht Ruprecht gives naughty children gifts such as lumps of coal, sticks, and stones, while well-behaved children receive sweets from Saint Nicholas. He can also be known to give naughty children a switch (stick) in their shoes instead of candy, fruit, or nuts, in the German tradition.
Ruprecht was a common name for the devil in Germany, and Grimm states that “Robin fellow is the same home-sprite whom we in Germany call Knecht Ruprecht and exhibit to children at Christmas …” Knecht Ruprecht first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a Nuremberg Christmas procession.
According to Alexander Tille, Knecht Ruprecht represented an archetypal manservant, “and has exactly as much individuality of social rank and as little personal individuality as the Junker Hanns and the Bauer Michel, the characters representative of country nobility and peasantry respectively.” Tille also states that Knecht Ruprecht originally had no connection with Christmastime.
Ruprecht sometimes walks with a limp because of a childhood injury. Often, his black clothes and dirty face are attributed to the soot he collects as he goes down chimneys. In some of the Ruprecht traditions, the children would be summoned to the door to perform tricks, such as a dance or singing a song, to impress upon Santa and Ruprecht that they were indeed good children. Those who performed badly would be beaten soundly by Servant Ruprecht, and those who performed well were given a gift or some treats. Those who performed badly enough or had committed other misdeeds throughout the year were put into Ruprecht’s sack and taken away, variously to Ruprecht’s home in the Black Forest to be consumed later or to be tossed into a river. In other versions, the children must be asleep and would awake to find their shoes filled with either sweets, coal, or, in some cases, a stick.
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Krampus is a terrifying figure found in parts of Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Slovenia, and Croatia, most probably originating in the Pre-Christian Alpine traditions. In Tyrol, he is also called “Tuifl”.
The Feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on December 6. On the preceding evening, Krampusnacht, the wicked, hairy devil, appears on the streets. He sometimes accompanies St. Nicholas. However, Krampus will at times be on his own, visiting homes and businesses. Saint Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and bundles of birch branches.
Europeans have been exchanging Krampuskarten, greeting cards featuring Krampus, since the 1800s. A Krampuslauf is a run of celebrants dressed as the beast and is still quite popular; many of the participants are fortified with schnapps. Over 1200 “Krampus” gather in Schladming, Styria, from all over Austria wearing goat-hair costumes and carved masks, carrying bundles of sticks used as switches and swinging cowbells to warn of their approach. In the past few decades, village Krampus associations have paraded without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout late November and early December.
Walt Disney Day 2025
The famous Walt Disney (Walter Elias Disney) was born in Chicago on December 5, 1901. However, the talented Disney we know did not emerge until 1919, when he began his career as an illustrator. In 1928, Disney created Mickey Mouse, a character he sketched on a bus. Can you imagine one of the most famous characters in the world being created like that? Today, the cartoon character is the centerpiece of the entire Disney brand.
However, things weren’t always so easy for Disney. In 1923, his first business venture, Laugh-O-Gram Studios, went bankrupt. At the time, he had only $20 to start over, so Disney decided to head to Hollywood, where he created a few cartoon characters with his brother. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to attain legal copyright for them. Then Mickey Mouse and other memorable characters such as Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck arrived. From thereon, there was no turning back.
After a few years, Disney began developing feature-length cartoons such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, and Mary Poppins. Disney made these animated creations during the 1940s to 1960s. Due to the success of these cartoons, it was not a surprise when Disney won 22 Oscars for his role as an American animator, film producer, and voice actor. But as we know, Disney didn’t stop there. He also opened theme parks in 1955. The Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, was under construction when Disney passed away. In 2018, the theme parks had already hosted over 157,3 million guests worldwide.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
The Full Cold Perigee Moon In December 2025
12-04-2025
Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon, Oak Moon
The nights are at their longest, and the cold has settled in for the long Winter ahead. The world silently rests as the cold Winter passes through. The Moon rides high in the sky to light the long, cold, still Winter nights.
The December Full Moon is about finding the strength and steadfastness to get through the Winter ahead. It is the time to see, for a moment, the long view of our life path; a time to slow to a steady pace that will sustain us until Spring arrives with its invigorating energy.
:https://www.earthspiritpath.org/
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International Cheetah Day 2025
The story of how International Cheetah Day was born is worthy of a movie adaptation. It all started in 1977 when American Zoologist, Dr. Laurie Marker, took Khayam, a cheetah she raised from a cub at Wildlife Safari in Oregon, to Namibia. It was part of an experiment to determine whether captive cheetahs could be taught to hunt and live in the wild on their own again.
The experiment was a success, and she and Khayam returned home to the U.S. But during her stay in Namibia, Dr. Marker noted that livestock owners threatened the cheetah population in the wild. They were eliminating cheetahs vigorously because they were becoming a threat to their livestock.
Determined to help resolve the rift between Namibian farmers and cheetahs, Dr. Marker vowed to preserve the wild cheetahs and founded the Cheetah Conservation Fund in 1991. She negotiated with the locals and educated them about wildlife preservation. In honor of his memory, Dr. Marker chose Khayam’s birthday to promote cheetah conservation. Since 2010, the world has been celebrating International Cheetah Day on December 4 to raise awareness about the extinction threat they face.
Sadly, due to the excessive hunting of wild cheetahs for their fur and the loss of their habitat due to increased human settlements, as of 2020, there are only around 7,100 cheetahs left in the wild. This is a shocking 50% decline in the last four decades. So, let us recognize this as the day to respect and conserve cheetahs.
Christmas Season (Part I) 2003 – 2005
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2003
Christmas 2003 was bittersweet. It was Katelynn’s first Christmas, but it was also our last Christmas in Germany.
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2004
In December 2004, we had a Dallas Holiday Wish Celebration. The Beach Boys had a concert, and even Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto came to visit and sing and dance in front of Dallas City Hall. I have it all on videotape footage and didn’t capture too many event photos.
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2005
In 2005, we bought our house in Texas. The same year, we celebrated Christmas/Yuletide in our new home.
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… to be continued …
Just Saying Hello! (2021)
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Some of my followers probably have noticed, I haven’t been posting for several days. Last Sunday, I ended up in the ER, and have been at the hospital since. I’m doing okay with what is going on. But I will write a detailed blog once I’m back home and have recovered a little bit. In the meantime, I’ll keep it easy and wait for my procedure to be done in New Haven.
~ Tanja💗
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~ 12/02/2021 ~
The Waxing Gibbous Cold Moon In December 2025 (2)
12-03-2025
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Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)
Although the Greater Roadrunner occurs throughout Texas, is well known, is the topic of much folklore, and is a very popular cartoon character, the only field research studies that have been conducted are in desert scrub or brush-grassland habitats in South Texas. As a popular, iconic, multicultural bird from prehistory to modern times, it is surprising that it was one of the last bird species to be given state protection because of the mistaken belief that roadrunners were a threat to declining quail populations.
:https://txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/greater-roadrunner/
First Snow of The Season 2025/2026
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First, the meteorologists mentioned 3-6 inches of snow for our area. But the weather system stayed further north. We were lucky; we got about an inch.
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National Mutt Day 2025
Let’s throw this day to the dogs! Not just any dog, though. Today, we toast to the mixed breeds of the world, so raise your water bowls high … because this one’s for the mutts! There’s no ifs, ands, or mutts about it — December 2 is National Mutt Day, and we’re here to celebrate. In fact, we love this day so much, we celebrate it twice a year. The next National Mutt Day is July 31!
The Museum of The Cherokee People & Oconaluftee Indian Village 2002
Kevin wanted to show me his Native American Heritage. So, we went to the Museum of the Cherokee Indians and the Cultural Village in Cherokee, North Carolina.
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As you enter the soft trails of the village, it’s no longer the 21st century: you’re immediately transported to the 1760s. The faint tang of wood smoke wafts by as you are led by a Cherokee cultural expert on an interactive journey through the Cherokee lifestyle and history. Your guide will show you the way through the winding paths, flanked with traditional Cherokee dwellings, work areas, and sacred ritual sites. Delight in cultural dances amid the swaying oaks and sycamores. As you wander, interact with villagers as they hull canoes, sculpt pottery and masks, weave baskets, and fashion beadwork. Watch as a village prepares for war. Be amazed by a blowgun demonstration. Oconaluftee Indian Village is much more than just a place; it’s living history.
… to be continued …
The Waxing Gibbous Cold Moon In December 2025 (1)
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New England Winter Afterglow In December (1)
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Winter In Connecticut 2025
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Merry Christmas, Mr. Grinch!
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This season, Mr. Grinch made it on our lawn. And he is “… A Mean One.”
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National Cat Lovers’ Month 2025 🐈
Cats were first seen in the early Pliocene Epoch, approximately 5 to 4 million years ago, and have evolved into modern times with remarkably little change. The earliest known association between cats and humans can, however, be traced as far back as the origins of agriculture in the Middle East around 9,500 years ago.
In recent years, the skeleton of a cat was found buried along with that of a human in southern Cyprus. Although some sources noted that this discovery suggested that cats had undergone some forms of domestication in that region, other sources argued that cats may have chosen to domesticate themselves by living in human-altered landscapes. They cited the evidence that the cat genome was not so different from that of the African wildcat at that particular period.
Fossil evidence unearthed in China, dating back to about 5,300 years, shows that cats of a size similar to modern domestic cats used to feed on small grain-eating animals such as rodents. In contrast, the cats in agricultural settings went for millet.
There’s also a common belief that cats were domesticated in ancient Egypt because of the Egyptians’ great affinity for cats, and the animals had social and religious significance in their culture. Although cats were considered sacred animals in Egypt around 2465 B.C. to 2150 B.C., they had not yet been domesticated. It’s possible that the ancient Egyptians kept cats because they valued them for protecting their barns from rodents. Their respect and affection for this majestic predator resulted in the development of religious cat cults and the worship of cats in temples. There are no authentic records of domestication earlier than 1500 B.C.
Winter Wonderland (1) ☃
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Winter in Texas (2004, 2007)
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National Christmas Lights Day 2025
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Before the invention of electric lights, families would balance candles on the branches of their Christmas trees—a risky practice that naturally led to several house fires. Electric Christmas lights were first invented in 1880 by Thomas Edison, who promptly strung them all over the outside of his Menlo Park laboratory. Because people were initially distrustful of electricity, it took another several decades for the invention to catch on. It wasn’t until 1903 when General Electric began selling pre-assembled kits of Christmas lights that electric lights became popular with people of all classes. Today, electric lights are an integral part of the winter holiday season, and certainly aren’t exclusive to Christmas. As we get ready for the end of the year, let’s string up our lights and celebrate. ‘Tis the Season’, after all.
:https://nationaltoday.com/national-christmas-lights-day/
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Hello, December 2025!
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Wintry mornings wrapped in white,
Evening, calm and still,
Snowflakes dancing all around,
Sled rides down a hill,
Gatherings with loved ones —
Such a pleasure to remember —
all memories and special gifts
That comes with each December.
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Goodbye, November 2025!
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🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄🍁🍂☃❄
The First Advent Sunday 2025
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Blessed 1st Advent
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World Basketball Champions 2011: Dallas Mavericks
On June 12, 2011, the Dallas Mavericks won the Finals 4:2 against the Miami Heat in the Kaseya Center in Miami. Three days later, on June 16, 2011, Kevin and I went to Dallas and saw the Dallas Mavericks Parade. Unfortunately, we had too many people in front of us to capture decent photos of the players and the parade. The Dallas Mavericks team waited 31 years for this victory to become the World Champions in Basketball.
Later that month, Dirk went to our hometown, where he got his own parade and waved from the balcony of our Würzburg Residence. From 1984 to 1987, I went to the same school as Dirk. Here, Dirk was six when he started 1st grade. Who would have ever thought that this kid would win an NBA championship many years later?
The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (8)
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1) Peas; 2) Avocado; 3) White Cabbage; 4) Tomato
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Rail Bridge”
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Rail Bridge
A fresh, masculine Fall fragrance starts with bergamot and orange peel and blends softly with exotic woody notes to complete the composition.
Top: Bergamot, Orange
Mid: Black Peppercorn, Apple, Floral
Base: Amber Wood, Patchouli, Musk
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Red Planet Day 2025
Around 400 BC, the Babylonians began keeping records of celestial events. They called Mars “Nergal,” The King of Conflicts, ostensibly because of the association between the planet’s color and the bloodshed in armed encounters with enemies. The ancient Greeks and Romans must have made the association as well, because in both their pantheons, Ares and Mars, respectively, were known as the gods of war.
As time went on and it became a possibility that man might one day travel among the stars, authors and filmmakers availed themselves of the sense of wonder surrounding the Red Planet and created works of science fiction and just plain fancy, imagining walking on that rusty ground.
One big question was whether Mars held good old-fashioned water, the source of any life on a planet. Flyby missions detected polar ice caps. Ancient “canals” were shown to be optical illusions, but that didn’t stop many believers from presuming that there had previously been civilizations on the fourth planet from the sun.
It still stands to reason that imaginations have blossomed around the notion of life on Mars, from the classic novel “Stranger In a Strange Land” by 1950s author Robert Heinlein, to 2015’s Ridley Scott film starring Matt Damon, “The Martian.”
During this century, orbiter and rover missions sent back increasingly detailed information about Mars, until NASA and its international counterparts began to plan manned missions to Mars. Now, National Red Planet Day commemorates the launch of the Mariner 4 spacecraft on November 28, 1964. Mariner 4 performed the first successful flyby of Mars, returning the first pictures of the Martian surface.
Narrowleaf Evening Primrose
Narrow-leaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera fruiticosa)
Thanksgiving 2025
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May your stuffing be tasty,
May your Turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious,
and your pies take the prize,
and may your
Thanksgiving dinner
stay of your thighs.
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Naugatuck River Valley Backyard Wildlife In November (1) ~ 2021
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1) Eastern Gray Squirrel; 2) Downy Woodpecker; 3) Tufted Titmouse;
4) Blue Jay; 5) Eastern Gray Squirrel; 6) American Robin;
7) Golden-crowned Kinglet
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~ 11/04/2011 ~
Good Grief Day 2025
Named after the iconic Charlie Brown catchphrase, Good Grief Day celebrates the life and work of the immovable Charles M. Schulz. Schulz was born on November 26, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His interest in the arts was evident during his upbringing, as he would spend his days taking in the works of Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, and Andrew Wyeth, while also developing a penchant for cartoons. As a child, he would draw dozens upon dozens of cartoons, inspired by either the cartoons he admired or the world around him.
Growing up, he aspired to be a cartoonist, and at 15, he sent one of his drawings to the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” weekly column, which became his first published cartoon — he knew from then on that this was his life.
After returning from military service in Europe in 1945, he would further develop his career as a cartoonist, scoring his weekly series in 1947. That cartoon was “Li’l Folks,” which would be the predecessor of his magnum opus. “Li’l Folks” would later draw the attention of mega publisher United Features Syndicate in 1950, who asked him to develop a new weekly comic strip. Thus, on October 2, 1950, “Peanuts” was born. The iconic series would later become the longest-running comic strip in history — running until Schulz died in 2000.
“Peanuts” is considered one of the greatest cartoon series in history, lauded for its simple yet complex humor and its philosophical and psychological social commentary. Multiple “Peanuts” television and film iterations were made, the most notable being the 1965 TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which continues to air in syndication today.
From the eccentric beagle, Snoopy, and his worrywart owner, Charlie Brown, to the colorful range of supporting cast, including the logical Woodstock, the antagonistic Lucy van Pelt, and the spunky Peppermint Patty, Schulz’s creations have brought laughter and joy to millions around the world.
31 Years …
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I cannot wait to see what you’ll accomplish in your 30s.
Knowing you, it will be epic.
Happy 31st birthday, Sam!
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Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
The Black-tailed Prairie Dog is one of the most social ground squirrels, living communally in large underground networks called “towns.” Named for the bark-like warning they give when predators are nearby, prairie dogs have an interesting social life, are ecologically important to the prairie ecosystem, and have seen drastic declines since 1900.
Weighing in at two-and-a-half to three pounds, these gregarious rodents are primarily light brown with a black-tipped tail. The tan coloration serves as a predator defense; blending into the habitat allows prairie dogs to escape from hawks circling overhead and coyotes hunting from the ground. Like most rodents, prairie dogs are herbivores that feed on grasses and annual forbs. This diet keeps the surrounding area clipped, encouraging desired forbs to grow while improving predator detection.
Found in dry, upland shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies, these rodents have well-developed forefeet for digging and maintain their extensive burrows. Entrances to the burrows are typically volcano-shaped and provide ventilation to the system, serve as lookout posts, and even help keep water out of the town. Prairie dog towns are surprisingly complicated. Dropping 10-15 feet from the surface at the main entrance, the primary tunnel can extend 50 feet or more. Several chambers can be found at the end of secondary tunnels, used separately for caching food, nesting, and even defecation.
:https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlife/field-guide/mammals/black-tailed-prairie-dog
My First Trip To The United States: From Frankfurt, Germany ➡ Charlotte, North Carolina ~ 2002 ✈
In 2002, Kevin and I married in Germany. Since he wanted to introduce me to his family, we got airplane tickets a month before our wedding. In May, we flew from Frankfurt to Charlotte, North Carolina. In Charlotte, we had to take another flight to Atlanta, Georgia. There, Kevin’s brother and our sister-in-law picked us up from the airport and drove us back to North Carolina. Staying in Charlotte would have been too expensive. So, we had to make a little tour through the South. Shortly before midnight (local time), we finally arrived at Kevin’s parents’ house. It was a long day. And after a little chat, we were all ready to go to sleep.
… to be continued …
November Mornings
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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Beautiful Colors of Autumn (13)
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Autumn At A Texas Creek
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Thankful For My Dog Day 2025
Dogs are in the class of animals known as Caniformia, which is Latin for “dog-like.” This family’s other members, including raccoons, bears, foxes, and skunks, share dog-like traits. Some theories suggest that dogs evolved from wolves, while others propose that they evolved alongside wolves. Regardless of the circumstances, dogs have managed to warm the hearts of humans worldwide.
Initially, humans allowed dogs to pick the bones clean after they had hunted and enjoyed their meals. Dogs likely followed humans as scavengers at first, providing a service that they still give us today — protection. They grew tamer with each generation until they became permanent companions. From here, humans certainly domesticated both dogs and gray wolves, keeping them as pets. For more than 12,000 years, dogs have lived with humans as protectors, hunting companions, objects of scorn or adoration, and buddies.
Today, dogs are regarded differently in various regions of the world. In Western society, people highly value dogs because of their characteristics of friendship, protectiveness, loyalty, and affection. The United States and Europe have seen the care of dogs grow into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Dogs are also widely used in animal-assisted therapy. This type of treatment helps to relieve anxiety, pain, and depression in people with a range of mental or physical health problems. However, in some of the developing nations and many regions of Asia, dogs are not treated with love. They are used for protection, as beasts of burden, or even for food.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In May 2011 (3) ~ “Dinosaurs Unleashed”
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“Dinosaurs Unleashed” was a dinosaur expo at the Fort Worth Zoo in Spring/Summer 2011
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~ The End ~
Clouds & Branches In Late November (1)
November Skies
Our Yard/Forest In Late November (1)
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Autumn in Connecticut 2025
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The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (7)
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This is how I envisioned my greenhouse before I even purchased it.
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Novembrrr”
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Novembrrr
Novembrrr brings a colorful, leafy medley, and on those cool mornings, evokes the senses with comforting, earthy, aromatic notes, frozen and frosty blue lavender, and white amber dusted with cool mint, along with chilled, sparkling citrus.
Top: Chilled Citrus
Mid: Blue Lavender, Spearmint, Peppermint
Base: White Amber, White Birch
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Pink Fairy Duster Mimosa
Pink Fairy Duster Mimosa (Calliandra eriophylla)
Kent Falls State Park, Kent, Litchfield County, Connecticut In November 2021
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This morning, we experienced our first frost of the season in Connecticut. But this didn’t stop Kevin and me from driving to the Kent Falls State Park and doing a little mid-morning hike along the falls. We made sure we wore an extra layer of clothes. And up the trail, we went. The part of the Kent Falls, seen at the bottom of the trail, is only a small portion. The falls have a total drop of 250 feet. Since they wind around the corner, they can’t be seen simultaneously. Kevin and I had to hike up a steep trail to get an idea of how big and how long the falls were running through the hill. Unfortunately, we still haven’t reached the top. However, the part of the trail we’ve hiked was so worth it.
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– 11/03/2021 –
Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)
Koi fish are colorful, ornamental versions of the common carp. Although carp domestication is believed to have begun in China as early as the 4th century, modern Japanese koi are believed to date back to early 19th-century Japan, where wild, colorful carp were caught, kept, and bred by rice farmers. There are now dozens of different color varieties of koi. Wild koi are native to the fresh bodies of water around the Black, Caspian, and Aral Seas. Domesticated in the 19th century, carp have now been introduced throughout the world. Koi are omnivorous feeders who will eat food found at all depths of water. The Japanese koi at the Kids’ Farm are fed a floating pellet, though they will also eat aquatic insects and algae.
National Princess Day 2025 👑
The first princess to come to our TV screens was Snow White in 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, this movie was also the first full-length traditional animation film as well as the earliest Disney animated feature film. When Xena: Warrior Princess debuted in 1995 and Mulan was released in 1998, they demonstrated that a princess can do more than wear a pretty dress. These two iconic women let children everywhere know that a princess can also be a strong and adventurous warrior. New wave princesses like Moana and Frozen’s Elsa show us that you can still be a princess while maintaining your independence.
We all grew up with animated and live-action princesses guiding us through life. When thinking of our favorite princesses, our minds instantly go to Disney. However, when it comes to National Princess Day, Disney had very little involvement in its inception. Nest Family Entertainment, a Texas-based entertainment company, teamed up with Rich Animation in 1994 to create the animated film The Swan Princess, a musical adaptation of Swan Lake. The studio wanted people of every age to have a day to celebrate like royalty, embodying the kindness and grace that we all associated with princesses at the time — and thus, National Princess Day was created.
The definition of a princess is constantly changing. From the 1930s until the 1990s, princesses were meant to be saved by a prince and live happily ever after. Nowadays, princesses create their own happily ever after, save the prince, and then put the prince squarely in the friend zone. Essentially, embodying a princess on National Princess Day is to represent what the kids call the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).
Mickey’s & Minnie’s 97th Birthday
Mickey Mouse is more than just a character; he’s an iconic figure for the Disney brand. But he almost didn’t exist. Mickey Mouse was only created to replace Walt Disney’s original successful creation, Oswald the Rabbit. Oswald was made by the Disney studio for Charles Mintz, a film producer and distributor through Universal Studios. With so much success from Oswald, Disney asked Mintz to increase the studio’s budget, but instead, Mintz demanded Walt take a 20 percent cut. He then reminded Disney that Universal owned Oswald and that he had already signed most of Disney’s current employees to his new contract. Disney refused to sign the new contract, finished the final Oswald comic of his contract, and ended his work with Universal.
With just himself and two loyal animators, Ub Iwerks and Les Clark, Disney had to start from scratch. From this experience, he learned to ensure he owned all the rights to characters produced by his company. His inspiration for Mickey came from a tame mouse at his desk at Laugh-O-Gram Studio in Kansas City, Missouri. The original name for the character was Mortimer Mouse until his wife, Lillian, convinced him to change it, ultimately creating Mickey Mouse.
On May 14, 1928, Mickey appeared in a test screening of the cartoon short “Plane Crazy”, but failed to impress audiences and attract distributors. Walt then produced a second Mickey short called “The Gallopin’ Gaucho”, which also suffered from a lack of distributor interest. “Steamboat Willy”, first released on November 18, 1928, in New York, was co-directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. Intended as a parody of Buster Keaton’s “Steamboat Bill, Jr.”, it was the third Mickey film produced and the first to find a distributor, serving as Mickey’s debut.
A Weekend At Lake Constance (Bodensee) In September 2001
Lake Constance is a lake that borders Switzerland, Germany, and Austria and occupies an old glacier basin at an elevation of 1,299 feet (396 m). It has an area of 209 square miles (541 square km) and is approximately 40 miles (65 km) long and up to 8 miles (13 km) wide, with an average depth of 295 feet (90 m) and a maximum depth of 827 feet (252 m). It has about 125 miles (200 km) of shoreline. In the west, near Konstanz (Constance), it is divided by the Bodan mountain ridge into two parts: the Untersee (south) and the Überlinger Lake (north). The lake’s main body, southeast of Konstanz, is called the Ober Lake. The lake forms part of the course of the Rhine River, which enters it in the southeast near Bregenz and leaves it at the west via the Unter Lake. The island of Mainau is north of Konstanz in the Überlinger Lake, and the island of Reichenau is west of the city in the Unter Lake. Konstanz itself is a “political island,” for it is the only part of Germany on the lake’s southwestern shore; it is entirely surrounded by Swiss territory, except on the northeast, where it fronts on the lake.
:https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Constance
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On September 1, 2001, Marilyn Manson was live in concert at the “Rock am See” Festival in Konstanz. Since the concert was on Labor Day weekend, I took a few days off work, got the tickets, and planned the trip down to Lake Constance.
The concert was on Saturday, and we made our way down to Lindau by train on Friday. It was a nice relaxing ride. Once we passed Munich, we rode through the Alps. After changing trains and a 9-hour train ride, Kevin and I ended at the Lindau train station. When we walked out of the building, we were standing in front of the Lindau Harbor. It has been 17 years since I visited Lindau for the first time. And I couldn’t recall how aqua-colored the water of Lake Constance was. That evening, we got a taxi and rode from Lindau, Germany, to Bregenz, Austria. In Bregenz, we stayed at the youth hostel for the night.
The following morning, Kevin and I got up early to have breakfast and make our way to the Bregenz Harbor. We had to make it back to Lindau and change boats to travel to Konstanz. We had a three-and-a-half-hour boat ride with several stops, including Friedrichshafen, Meersburg, and the island of Mainau in front of us. And Kevin wanted to explore Lindau for a little bit before it was time to go.
In Konstanz, we finally got off the boat. From the harbor, we had to walk less than a mile to get to our hotel. There we dropped off our luggage, put on a cap, and went to the festival. By that time, it had poured rain and we got wet. But it didn’t stop us from staying to see Alien Ant Farm, Papa Roach, and the German rock band “Die Ärzte”. Die Ärzte sing German songs, and so I had to translate the lyrics to Kevin. He thought these songs were awesome.
When Manson came on stage, we had clear skies. He was on stage only for an hour, which totally pissed me off because we spent all this time and money to go see him. However, I’m still a big fan of Marilyn Manson and have attended another two concerts in Germany. I know, he’s not everyone’s “cup of tea”. But that is what I like about him.
The following day, Kevin and I tried to cross the border to Switzerland. Since Konstanz lies on the German-Swiss border, it’s hard to tell when Germany ends and Switzerland begins as a tourist. (A year later, I finally crossed the border by the train station. I walked around a building and went back into Germany just so I could say, I’ve been on Swiss soil.) We went to the Konstanz train station and waited for the train to Stuttgart, where we switched trains and rode back to Würzburg.
On that weekend, we went through the whole state of Bavaria, traveled to Austria, made it back to Germany by boat, and traveled to Baden-Württemberg to go to a concert. And all these years, we are still not sure if Kevin made it to Switzerland on that day. What a trip!
National Homemade Bread Day 2025
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Yeast bread calls for us to slow down. We need to spend time with each other as we work the dough, let it rest, and let it rise before baking. Quick breads allow a special treat to share and enjoy with coffee or tea. Other homemade breads, such as donuts, pretzels, muffins, and biscuits, add variety to our everyday meals. Making them with friends and family brings joy and an opportunity to exchange recipes.
Those who make homemade bread are committed to using good ingredients and investing in the time. They make it not only because they love the flavor, but also because they know the people they love to do it for. Homemade bread enriches the flavors of our meals but also the flavors of our conversations.
Bread is rich in symbolism around the world, across cultures and religions. In our lives, bread is valuable. We consider our livelihood to be our daily bread. We are making, breaking, and consuming it as part of our faith. Bread can be exciting if it’s sliced or boring if it’s white. There’s a bonus bread, too. However, it seems a bit messy if it’s buttered on both sides. Then again, when we roll in the dough, it’s messy, too. Bake it, and it becomes heavy bread, but it means the same thing.
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🗺🧭 National Hiking Day 2025 🧭🗺
Hiking wasn’t always the fashionable pastime it is today. Before the Subarus and the Jeeps and the Patagonias built an industry around the activity, walking of any kind was considered an activity for the impoverished or the vagrant. The Romantic era of the Victorian years inspired the likes of Walden and Thoreau to reconnect with nature, and that, in turn, inspired the landscape architects to design parks with excellent walking trails (looking at you, Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park fame). Walking then became something of the educated, the unhurried, the luxurious.
Until John Muir came along and walked his way through the Sierra Nevadas in California and demanded that not only hiking, walking, meandering, sojourning, whatever you want to call it, be accessible to every American citizen, but that the country should actively preserve natural areas of pristine ecology and beauty. In 1890, he petitioned to create the National Park System, and we were endowed with “America’s best idea” – Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. But even before Muir, on the east coast, a small group of people had banded together in 1876 to form the Appalachian Mountain Club, which aimed to protect and preserve all hiking trails along the historic mountain range and develop new ones.
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (12)
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Autumn in Texas 2012
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National Clarinet Day 2025
Several theories regarding the clarinet. It is said that the clarinet evolved from the ancient woodwind instrument named the ‘chalumeau.’ The chalumeau is also said to be the ancestor of the instrument ‘oboe.’ Even today, a clarinet’s lower register is referred to as chalumeau.
The first clarinet is said to have been developed in the 1700s by German musician Johann Christoph Denner. It was composed in the key of C. Clarinets are typically made in the key of B flat today. Other modifications in the clarinet followed in the 1800s. For example, the mouthpiece was designed to face backward, rather than forward, which allowed clarinetists to play the instrument more smoothly. This prototype was brought forward by German musician Heinrich Baermann.
Later on, thirteen keys were added to the clarinet, giving the clarinetists the ability to play the chromatic scale. Thereafter, many new versions and types of clarinets emerged depending on the key used, the size, or the range of registers. The clarinet was used as the voice for the wolf in the famous composition “Peter and the Wolf.”
The clarinet produces soothing music, which is why it is used in various genres of music, including rock, jazz, and folk. It is said that Mozart loved the sound of clarinets. Clarinets are also used widely in military orchestras. Clarinet Day was established to recognize this remarkable instrument, a favorite among musicians worldwide.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In May 2011 (2)
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Fort Worth Zoo 2011
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Wildlife In Our Photinia Tree 2013
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1) Western Honeybee; 2) Northern Cardinal Babies; 3) Juvenile Grackle
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Kittens & Cashmere”
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Kittens & Cashmere
Crisp, frosty air blankets aromatic greenery, vibrant fir needles, and ice-dusted eucalyptus blended with soft hints of ambered woods, shimmering spearmint, and snowy white musk.
Top: Ozone, Green, herbal
Mid: Fir Needle, Eucalyptus Mint
Base: Herbal, Amber Musk
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Naugatuck River Valley Backyard Wildlife (2)
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American Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk & Eastern Gray Squirrel
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Our Yard/Forest In Mid-November (1)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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National American Teddy Bear Day 2025 🧸
Cheers to all teddy bear lovers and owners! Let’s celebrate one of the best toys we’ve ever owned on National American Teddy Bear Day, on November 14. Teddy bears have been our comfort bed pals since our childhood. We give them names, hug them while we sleep, and take them everywhere with us. These soft furry friends are a reminder of childhood. Teddy bears come in different sizes, colors, and materials, and have been a popular toy choice since their creation in the early 20th century.
Connecticut Field Pumpkin 🎃
Connecticut Field Pumpkin (Cucubita pepo)
Our Forest In November 2021 🦌
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Kevin told me two deer were in the forest when I returned home from picking up Sara at school. So, we went down to the upper tree line to check if they were still there. And sure enough, the two young ladies hung out on our property. Deer #1 kept her distance at the other end of the tree line while Deer #2 hid behind a tree. It took us a moment to see her. She was well camouflaged in the forest. Smart girl! After we watched them for a while, we guessed Deer# 2 got spooked and made a leap onto the neighbor’s property, where she was waiting for her sister to come along with her. Soon, they were gone in the underbrush of the forest. Kevin mentioned getting a deer blind. We can watch all kinds of wildlife visiting our property. We still haven’t seen Bruno the Bear yet.
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– 11/01/2021 –
Common Buckeye Butterfly (Junonia coenia)
Junonia coenia, known as the common buckeye or buckeye, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Its range covers much of North America and some of Central America, including most of the eastern half of the US, the lower to middle Midwest, the Southwest (including most of California), southern Canada, and Mexico. Its habitat is open areas with low vegetation and some bare ground. Its original ancestry has been traced to Africa, which then experienced divergence in Asia. The species Junonia grisea, the gray buckeye, is found west of the Rocky Mountains and was formerly a subspecies of Junonia coenia.
Caterpillars of these butterflies appear to prefer plants that produce iridoid glycosides, which are bitter compounds that release a hormone called gastrin that activates the digestive system (i.e., hunger); therefore, iridoid glycoside-producing plants stimulate and attract their appetites, particularly when found in plants like Plantago lanceolata. In fact, these metabolites may trigger oviposition behaviors in female butterflies so that descendant larval bodies may better incorporate iridoid glycosides. Iridoid glycoside metabolites appear to have a growth-stimulating effect on caterpillars but a growth-reducing effect on predators. Predators like ants, wasps, birds, and small animals prefer to feed on iridoid glycoside-poor caterpillars rather than iridoid glycoside-rich larvae, potentially due to these effects. Therefore, the immunity of Junonia coenia larvae to predators like ants appears to be strongly related to the concentration of iridoid glycosides sequestered in their bodies. However, excessive intake of iridoid glycosides in the diet can impair these larvae’s immune response and increase susceptibility to parasitism.
Adult butterflies feed on flowers with certain pollinator cues: yellow flowers that are ‘pre-change’, or flowers whose color has not been changed due to insect visitation or other factors. Common buckeye caterpillars feed in isolation rather than relying upon grouping behaviors. Vulnerability to the Junonia coenia densovirus is another concern for the survivorship of common buckeye larvae.
American Heroes: A Salute To Veterans In The Colony, Texas
The American Heroes Festival is a FREE weekend celebration honoring America’s heroes with live music, remembrance ceremonies, carnival, fair food, car/truck/bike show, and the best patriotic fireworks display in North Texas! The photos are from the 2015 festival.
We salute you and thank you
for your service to our country!
In Connecticut, I miss having a Veteran’s Festival close by. Watertown still celebrates our Veterans in the Veterans Memorial Park and at the Green Gazebo. Oakville has a ceremony at the Oakville Town Green. However, we don’t have 5K Runs, carnival, live music from famous artists, and fireworks.
Fasching/Karnival 11/11 11:11 2025 🎭
Fasching originated in the German cities of Mainz and Speyer during the early 13th Century. By 1234, the festival had already become established in Cologne. In the past, Fasching was often characterized by extravagant, frivolous traditions, including handing the keys to the city to a council of fools. Activities involved noisy parades, plays, masked balls, satirical plays, and excessive or impertinent behavior. As a result of the Protestant Reformation in Europe during the 16th Century, most of these elaborate traditions died down.
However, the fun and entertaining nature of Fasching has been restored in recent times as it is marked by spectacular parades and parties worldwide. The women’s carnival is the first day of the street carnivals, known as ‘Weiberfastnacht’. On this day, women parade the streets in costumes and engage in harmless but mischievous behavior, such as cutting off men’s ties, leaving only the knot. This is followed by an apologetic peck on their cheek. Rose Monday is another day of the festival when a four-mile parade is held, with members of local carnival clubs dressing up as witches, clowns, or wizards. People line the streets to watch the procession and take part in the fun.
Fasching begins at exactly 11 minutes after 11 AM on November 11. The height of the Fasching celebrations is called Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday. In Germany, the day is celebrated on a small scale. But in other parts of the world, it is celebrated spectacularly, and people attend parades in cities such as Venice, Rio de Janeiro, and New Orleans. On Ash Wednesday, the festival comes to an end, and the 40-day fasting season begins.
In The Autumn Sunrise Glow (1)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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A Boat Ride From Würzburg To The Veitshöchheim Court Garden, Lower Franconia, Germany 2001
The Veitshöchheim Palace is situated on the grounds of one of the most important Rococo gardens in Germany. Until 1802, it was the Summer residence of the Prince-Bishop ofWürzburg. The summer residence was built on the site of a hunting lodge under Prince-Bishop Peter Philipp von Dernbach from 1680 to 1682 and was enlarged from 1749 to 1753 by Balthasar Neumann, who also redesigned the roof. The ceiling stucco work by Antonio Bossi also dates from this time, and the staircase sculptures were completed by Johann Peter Wagner in 1780. The castle has been owned by the Bavarian Crown since 1814 and was also used as a summer palace by the royal family in the 19th century.
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After the 4th of July, Kevin and I had a few vacation days. Since the weather was so nice, we decided to do something outdoors. So, we went to the Main River to take a boat ride from Wurzburg to Veithoechheim, approximately 5 miles (8 km) down the river.
When we arrived in Veithshöchheim, I checked the boat schedule before we walked over to the Court Garden. Kevin and I were strolling around in the gardens until we arrived at the Grotto with Belvedere, where the bottom part has animal sculptures, which are made of shells and snail houses. I was always fascinated with the grotto when I was a child visiting the Court Garden. The gardens have a lot of historical sculptures of astronomical figures, poets, and many more.
When it was time to leave, Kevin and I went to the ice cream parlor before we made our way down to the boat again. On the boat ride back to Würzburg, we had a nice view of the vineyards am Stein. This Franconian wine from these vineyards is famous all over Germany and Europe.
Our Yard/Forest In Early November (2)
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Autumn Amber 2025
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Sesame Street Day 2025
The seed of the idea that would become Sesame Street was first planted in talks between the television producer Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, the vice president of the Carnegie Foundation. During these conversations, Cooney spoke about her desire to leverage the ability of television shows to capture and keep children’s attention with the promotion of positive social values.
Following a period of extensive creative and scientific development, the show we all now know and love would begin to take shape. It was decided that Sesame Street would rely heavily on research processes to better inform various aspects of the program, spanning across the introduction of new characters, plotlines, and production design. This strategy would prove to be not only innovative but wildly successful as well; Sesame Street would premiere on November 10th, 1969, as an immediate sensation.
The show would dominate the cultural terrain of children’s television in the ensuing decades. As its audience grew, so did its capacity and willingness to address increasingly complicated social, emotional, and ethical issues. Though not without some instances of controversy, Sesame Street has remained a pillar of constructive, educational programming with a unique ability to appeal to children and adults alike. However, as the general media landscape has experienced exponential growth in the 21st century, the show has, in turn, found itself faced with stiffer competition from other children’s television productions.
As a result, Sesame Street no longer commands the same authority as in past decades, and it has even faced its fair share of financial troubles. Still, it is hard to imagine a world where children (and grown-ups) everywhere don’t carry fond memories of days spent learning and laughing with the whole gang on Sesame Street.
National Forget-Me-Not Day 2025
Forget-me-nots are the tiny blue meadow flowers that are incredibly symbolic. From the loss of loved ones to simply missing a childhood friend, the flowers have become synonymous with feelings of missing and longing. In New Zealand, Forget Me Not Day is dedicated to those afflicted with, or who have lost loved ones due to cognitive degenerative Alzheimer’s disease. And while there are some versions of Forget Me Not Day that celebrate this sort of loss or reconnecting with long-lost loved ones, this Forget Me Not Day focuses on something different, but also important.
Forget Me Not Day, as we know it, was established following World War I, when Judge Robert S. Marx, himself a WWI veteran, declared the holiday in honor of veterans who had suffered physical losses in the line of battle — those who had lost limbs, blood, and other integral body parts. Along with the holiday, Marx inaugurated the tradition of selling the popular forget-me-not flowers, repurposing them to raise money for wounded veterans.
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (11)
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Autumn at San Chester Park in Carrollton, Texas ~ 2012
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🇩🇪 The Fall of The Berlin Wall 2025 🇩🇪
The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that encircled West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, separating it from East Berlin and the German Democratic Republic (GDR; East Germany). The construction of the Berlin Wall was commenced by the government of the GDR on 13 August 1961. It included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, accompanied by a wide area (later known as the “death strip”) that contained anti-vehicle trenches, beds of nails, and other defenses. The primary intention for the Wall’s construction was to prevent East German citizens from fleeing to the West.
The Soviet Bloc propaganda portrayed the Wall as protecting its population from “fascist elements conspiring to prevent the will of the people” from building a communist state in the GDR. The authorities officially referred to the Berlin Wall as the Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart. Conversely, West Berlin’s city government sometimes referred to it as the “Wall of Shame”, a term coined by Mayor Willy Brandt about the Wall’s restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the separate and much longer inner German border, which demarcated the border between East and West Germany, it came to symbolize physically the Iron Curtain that separated the Western Bloc and Soviet satellite states of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.
Before the Wall’s erection, 3.5 million East Germans circumvented Eastern Bloc emigration restrictions and defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin; from there they could then travel to West Germany and to other Western European countries. Between 1961 and 1989, the deadly force associated with the Wall prevented almost all such emigration. During this period, over 100,000 people attempted to escape, and over 5,000 people succeeded in escaping over the Wall, with an estimated death toll of those murdered by East German authorities ranging from 136 to more than 200 in and around Berlin.
In 1989, a series of revolutions in nearby Eastern Bloc countries (Poland and Hungary in particular) and the events of the “Pan-European Picnic” set in motion a peaceful development during which the Iron Curtain largely fell, and rulers in the East came under public pressure to cease their repressive policies. After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit the FRG and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the Wall, joined by West Germans on the other side, and souvenir hunters chipped away parts of the Wall over the next few weeks. The Brandenburg Gate, a few meters from the Berlin Wall, reopened on 22 December 1989, with the demolition of the Wall beginning on 13 June 1990 and concluding in 1994. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification, which formally took place on 3 October 1990.
“… Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” – President Ronald Reagan ~ 06/12/1987
Carl Sagan Day 2025
The day was created in 2009 by the Center for Inquiry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Atheists and Secular Humanists (FLASH), and other groups. Events held in Florida have helped spread the celebrations worldwide. Events such as star parties, where people come together and view the sky, astronomy lectures, science fairs, and workshops are held every year.
Sagan worked in many scientific fields, such as astronomy, cosmology, astrophysics, and astrobiology. He is best known for his ability to communicate scientific ideas to the general population without intimidating the common man. This is probably most exemplified by his 1980 PBS documentary series, “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage”, which was the most widely viewed PBS program of its time! It won two Emmys and a Peabody Award, and has been viewed by over a billion people in 60 countries. Sagan also published a book to accompany the series. In fact, Sagan wrote more than 20 books, including “The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence”, which won a Pulitzer Prize, “Contact”, which was made into a film, and “The Demon-Haunted World”. For 12 years, he was the editor-in-chief of “Icarus”, and published 600 scientific papers and articles in publications such as “Skeptical Inquirer”. Beginning in the 1950s, Sagan was a consultant and adviser to NASA. He received numerous honors and awards and was a professor of astronomy and the director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In May 2011 (1)
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Fort Worth Zoo 2011
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… to be continued …
Pea Blossoms In Our Spring Garden ~ 2013
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Knitted Cashmere”
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Knitted Cashmere
All cozy in cashmere on those crisp, cool Fall days. Knitted cashmere is a fresh, yet soft, silky scent with warm suede, neroli, and lily of the valley woven with warm patchouli, chestnut, and white woods.
Top: Lemon, Neroli, Lily of the Valley
Mid: Warm Suede, Patchouli, Chestnut
Base: Vanilla, Birch Wood, Tonka Bean
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Chewbacca’s Journey Over The Rainbow Bridge
Chewbacca had a limp on his right hind leg for the past weeks. First, we thought he reinjured himself. Usually, it heals on its own. But this time, it didn’t get any better. I was waiting for Kevin to come back from Europe before we went to the veterinarian. At the veterinarian, we got the diagnosis that Chewbacca had a tumor in his crotch/leg area. It was so big that there was no way to remove it. There was some nerve damage in the leg, and he frequently did his business outside the litterbox.
After the veterinarian specialist explained all the options, including cancer treatments, I called it. I love Chewbacca so much that I didn’t want him to suffer any longer than it was necessary. He was my favorite companion, because he was the closest to me when I was sick. He deserved the best. And relieving him from the pain was the humane thing to do. I feel such a deep void in my heart. We are all sad about his passing.
In Loving Memory of
Chewbacca
11/18/2012 – 11/07/2025
Texas Arbor Day 2025
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Arbor Day celebrates planting and nurturing trees, and all the ways trees enrich our lives and stabilize the environment. Historians trace Arbor Day’s origins back to the fifth century when Swiss villagers gathered to plant oak trees. Adults turned the event into a festival, and children were given treats as a reward for their help planting trees.
Arbor Day first appeared in the United States in 1872. J. Sterling Morton is credited with guiding this country’s first Arbor Day resolution through the Nebraska Legislature that year. Residents of the Great Plains recognized how much trees could do for them, and they enthusiastically embraced Morton’s vision.
President Theodore Roosevelt was a strong supporter of Arbor Day. Early in the 20th century, it became clear that the nation’s forests were being exhausted by cut-out-and-get-out timber harvesting. The science of forest management was emerging, and the government was moving to suppress wildfires and plant trees. Roosevelt sent a letter to the children of the United States in which he wrote, “A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless.”
In Texas, Arbor Day first appeared in Temple on Feb. 22, 1889. W. Goodrich Jones led the citizens of Temple in a mass meeting to call for a tree-planting campaign along the city’s streets. One year later, the first statewide observance of Arbor Day was held in Austin. Through the efforts of Sen. George Tyler of Belton, Feb. 22 was designated by law as Arbor Day to encourage planting trees in the state.
After the original Texas Arbor Day law expired, the state continued to observe Arbor Day by proclamation of the governor, usually on George Washington’s birthday. In 1949, the Texas Legislature adopted a resolution designating the third Friday in January as Texas Arbor Day.
In 1989, the Legislature passed a resolution moving Texas Arbor Day to the last Friday in April to align with the traditionally observed national Arbor Day. Today, the official Texas Arbor Day is held on the first Friday in November. Still, thanks to the state’s diversity, Arbor Day can be celebrated in Texas communities at any time during the fall and winter planting season.
:https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/news/2022/10/arbor-day
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Yellow Hibiscus (Hawaiian State Flower)🌺
Yellow Hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
Echo Lake Park, Watertown, Connecticut In November 2021
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This afternoon, I took another peek at the leaves in Echo Lake Park. And with sadness, I have to say, the “Leaf Peeping Peak Season” is over. Here and there are trees still dressed in Autumn leaves. A lot of them are bare, now. I can tell that November has arrived in New England. Well, I will enjoy what is left for the rest of the season, before I experience my first real Winter in almost two decades.
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~ 11/01/2021 ~
Red-eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)
The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States, is also popular as a pet worldwide, and is the most invasive turtle. It is the most commonly traded turtle in the world. The red-eared slider is native from the Midwestern United States to northern Mexico, but has become established in other places because of pet releases, and has become invasive in many areas where it outcompetes native species. The red-eared slider is included in the list of the world’s 100 most invasive species.
The carapace of this species can reach more than 40 cm (16 in) in length, but the typical length ranges from 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in). The females of the species are usually larger than the males. They typically live between 20-30 years, although some individuals can live for more than 70 years. Their life expectancy is shorter when they are kept in captivity. The quality of their living environment has a strong influence on their lifespans and well-being.
The shell is divided into the upper or dorsal carapace and the lower, ventral carapace or plastron. The upper carapace consists of the vertebral scutes, which form the central, elevated portion; pleural scutes, which are located around the vertebral scutes; and then the marginal scutes around the edge of the carapace. The rear marginal scutes are notched. The scutes are bony keratinous elements. The carapace is oval and flattened (especially in the male) and has a weak keel that is more pronounced in the young. The color of the carapace changes depending on the age of the turtle. It usually has a dark green background with light and dark, highly variable markings. In young or recently hatched turtles, it is leaf green and gets slightly darker as a turtle gets older, until it is a very dark green, and then turns a shade between brown and olive green. The plastron is always a light yellow with dark, paired, irregular markings in the center of most scutes. The plastron is highly variable in pattern. The head, legs, and tail are green with fine, irregular, yellow lines. The whole shell is covered in these stripes and markings that aid in camouflaging an individual.
These turtles also have a complete skeletal system, with partially webbed feet that help them to swim and that can be withdrawn inside the carapace along with the head and tail. The red stripe on each side of the head distinguishes the red-eared slider from all other North American species and gives this species its name, as the stripe is located behind the eyes, where its (external) ears would be. These stripes may fade over time. The color and vibrance of ear stripes can indicate immune health, with bright red indicating a stronger immune response than yellow stripes. Some individuals can also have a small mark of the same color on the top of their heads. The red-eared slider does not have a visible outer ear or an external auditory canal; instead, it relies on a middle ear entirely covered by a cartilaginous tympanic disc.
Like other turtles, the species is poikilotherm and thus dependent on the temperature of its environment. For this reason, it needs to sunbathe frequently to warm up and maintain body temperature.
The Full Beaver Moon In November 2025
The trees stand dormant and naked. The Summer birds have flown south. The frost settles in, or snow begins to fall. The Beavers are busy making last-minute preparations for the Winter ahead.
The November Full Moon is all about the final Winter Preparations. It’s a time to bundle up and relax. A time to surround ourselves with things that will comfort and sustain us during the dark and cold that has so recently arrived at our doorstep.
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The Old Town In Munich, Germany 2001
In January 2001, I dragged Kevin to Munich with me. Since he was stationed in Germany, I wanted to make sure that the boy did some sightseeing before he went back to the US. At that time, we had been together less than a month and didn’t know we would get married 15 months later. It was cold. And we both froze our tailbones off. But we still had a lot of fun.
First, we went to the Frauenkirche, Munich’s Cathedral. Kevin was fascinated by how big this church is in real life. He also enjoyed looking at the stained glass window. Each of them was telling stories through pictures. At the Marienplatz, we saw the Old and the New Town Halls of Munich. https://under-the-harvest-moon.com/2025/10/21/the-old-town-in-munich-germany
The fun part was climbing the 306 stairs of the 298,5 feet (91 meters) tall “Alter Peter’s” clock tower. At 183,7 feet (56 meters) is a platform, where Munich’s old town can be viewed 360°. My knees were almost buckling due to the height. But this didn’t stop me from shooting photos across the roofs of Munich’s old town and Viktualienmarkt. The Alps can be seen from that point as well. (Unfortunately, I can’t find them anymore. I hope they are somewhere deep in a box and have not been tossed away during one of the moves in the last 20+ years.)
International Jellyfish Day 2025
Jellyfish, a class of marine invertebrate animals, have been around for a very long time, even longer than dinosaurs. Scientists always believed jellyfish originated some 500 million years ago, a theory confirmed by the 2007 discovery of perfectly preserved 505-million-year-old jellyfish fossils in Utah, U.S. This find was particularly mind-boggling because jellyfish, having no bones to speak of, rarely leave a trace of their existence like other animals do.
Jellyfish have always boggled minds, particularly with their distinctive structures. Their mostly transparent bodies, wiry tentacles, and lack of bodily organs confounded early scientists so much that they couldn’t even classify these guys — back when categories were only plants, animals, and humans. Jellyfish weren’t plants, but they didn’t fit the specified mold of animals either. The world simply dubbed (classified) them as ‘incomplete’ and didn’t bother investigating further, at least until the microscope was invented. Many such ‘incomplete’ organisms didn’t neatly fit into any category naturalists created, and they were forced to reexamine their categories and come up with new definitions for each.
However, it wasn’t until Charles Darwin proposed his theory of evolution in 1859 — “all living things show a variation in physical traits over time as a process of natural selection” — that the jellyfish got some recognition. Then, the German zoologist and naturalist Ernst Haeckel wrote a book, “Generelle Morphologie der Organismen,” in 1866, which translates to “General Morphology of Organisms.” In it, he illustrated the evolution of many organisms — jellyfish included — to show how primitive animal forms gradually came to be the versions we all know now. He theorized that jellyfish had split from the rest of the organisms at an earlier date — this is why they look so different from other species.
The world began researching the species and has never looked back. In the process, we are also reevaluating the use of ‘fish’ in the ‘jellyfish’ name. ‘Fish’ commonly refers to animals with a backbone, and scientists now sometimes call them ‘jellies’ too. This invasive species has survived and thrived almost all over the world because it needs very little oxygen. They can survive in any water, enjoy a broad diet, reproduce very quickly, and shrink when food reserves are reduced, only to revive themselves when food is available again.
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (10)
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Autumn at The Colony Nature Trail, Texas 2012
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World Ballet Day 2025
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World Ballet Day was first celebrated on October 1, 2014. On this special day, top ballet companies worldwide stream live videos over six continents, showcasing their behind-the-scenes preparations, rehearsals, and dance classes. The main companies that contribute to the event are the Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, San Francisco Ballet, and Royal Swedish Ballet.
The history of ballet dates back to the 15th century in Italy and France. The dance was often performed by noblemen and women in the royal courts. However, the early form of ballet, known as ‘ballet de cour,’ included not only dancing but music, poetry, décor, and costume. Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II of France, developed this elaborate form of ballet.
The year 1681 witnessed the transition of ballet from the royal courts to the stage, where it was incorporated with operas, especially in France. In the 1700s, a French ballet master revolutionized this ballet-opera trend, advocating that ballet deserved to stand on its own as a recognized genre. This led to the creation of yet another form of ballet, known as the ‘ballet d’action’. This form involved expressive and dramatic movements used to tell stories through dance.
In the 19th century, ballet gradually evolved, as classical techniques such as pointe work, the precision of movement, and turnout developed in Russia. It was during this period that the classical “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Nutcracker” were created.
Today, ballet takes many forms and styles, with the rules a little less rigid than they were in the past. Costumes vary based on creativity, and classical music is no longer the mandatory genre of music it is performed to. It has also given life to new dance forms, such as contemporary, lyrical, modern, and neo-classical dance.
: https://nationaltoday.com/world-ballet-day/
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The End of Daylight Saving 2025 (Fall Back) 🍁
Joshua was not happy when I told the pack that they had breakfast and dinner one hour later, from now on until March: “WHAAAT? Do we have to wait until dawn? What is this sorcery? I don’t understand it. But if you say so, I guess it is what it is. Only humans get this crazy idea of changing their clocks back and forth. And they are supposed to be the most intelligent species on this planet. … ” … As we can tell, Joshua is on a rant about the end of daylight saving. In the USA, Canada, Greenland, Mexico, and some Caribbean Islands, we will change our clocks one hour BACK.
Día de los Muertos ~ Day of the Dead 2025
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The ancient indigenous people of Mexico have practiced rituals celebrating the lives of past ancestors for around 3,000 years. The celebration now known as Day of the Dead originally fell on the ninth month of the Aztec calendar and was observed for the entire month. In the 20th century, the month-long festivities were condensed to three days called The Days of the Dead: Halloween on October 31, Day of the Innocents on November 1, and Day of the Dead on November 2.
La Catrina is one of the most recognizable figures of Day of the Dead, a towering female skeleton with vibrant makeup and a flamboyant, feathery hat. The Lady of Death, worshipped by the Aztecs, protected their departed loved ones, guiding them through the final stages of the life-and-death cycle. La Catrina that we know today was created in the early 1900s by the controversial and political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada. The artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, included José’s La Catrina in one of his murals, depicting 400 years of Mexican history. His mural, “Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park”, includes himself and a young child holding hands with La Catrina, who is dressed in sophisticated garb and a fancy feathered hat.
Plans for Day of the Dead are made throughout the year. Toys are offered to dead children, and bottles of alcohol or jars of alote get offered to dead adults. Most families decorate their loved ones’ graves with ofrendas, which often include marigolds. It’s said that these specific flowers attract the souls of the dead to the offerings, and the bright petals and strong scent guide the souls from the cemetery to their family’s home.
Since the 1960s, when the Mexican government declared it a public holiday as part of educational policy initiatives, Dia de Muertos has been observed throughout Mexico. The tradition was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.
: https://nationaltoday.com/day-of-the-dead/
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Kids Colony II Playground (Phase I), The Colony, Texas 2011
In 1993, residents and businesses in The Colony came together to build a playground. There was lots of planning, fundraising, scheduling, and building – all done by volunteers! This little town in Texas made a great effort, and the result was a community-built playground named Kids’ Colony. The years and hot Texas sun took their toll on the expansive wooden structures, and the process of replacing the beloved playground began. In 2011, Phase I of the rebuild of Kids’ Colony was completed, adding a nature-themed play structure, pavilion, picnic tables, and benches.
The Waxing Gibbous Beaver Moon In November 2025
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Our Yard/Forest In Early November (1)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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National Pepper Month 2025 🌶
There are hundreds of different ways to enjoy these crunchy, appetizing fruits. Yes, you heard me right. Peppers are fruits, not vegetables, because of the seeds they contain. Either way, though, they can be enjoyed with both sweet and salty meals and are incredibly healthy for you. Peppers are related to chili peppers (obviously), tomatoes, and breadfruit, all of which are native to Central and South America. They come in a variety of beautiful, vibrant colors like bright red, green, yellow, and orange, and have a crunchy, satisfying texture.
: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/november/national-pepper-month-november
Scented Candle Day 2025
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Candles have been around for thousands of years. There is no exact date to pinpoint the origin of candlemaking, but there is documentation of different civilizations creating candles for more than 5,000 years. The ancient Egyptians are documented to have made candles in 3000 B.C. from a combination of animal fat and reeds. The reed wasn’t like the wick we use today, but they used animal fat as the wax we use today. In around 500 B.C., the Romans made candles by dipping rolled papyrus made from the papyrus plant’s pith and repeatedly melting the tallow (made from melted beef or mutton fat) or beeswax to form the first candlewick.
Evidence shows that around the world, other civilizations also used wicked candles. The Chinese made wicks from rolled rice paper, and their wax was made from a combination of insects and seeds or whale fat. The Japanese are said to make their candles from wax extracted from tree nuts, and in India, people make wax by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. These were probably the first scented candles, as they gave off a pleasant smell when burned.
Candles lost their popularity as essentially an illuminating material with the invention of the light bulb in 1879. Candles then became a decorative item, and the first scented candles became available. By the mid-1980s, candles were established as a great mood enhancer, gifts, and decorative items.
: https://nationaltoday.com/scented-candle-day/
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National Cinnamon Day 2025
National Cinnamon Day celebrates one of the most popular holiday spices. It is quite impossible to think of the holidays without the aroma of cinnamon popping into one’s head. From cookies, rolls, and teas to pies and chocolates, cinnamon exists in almost every holiday snack, meal, and beverage.
McCormick Spices founded National Cinnamon Day in 2019. The holiday encourages us to make new memories and share the warmth cinnamon brings. It is dedicated to celebrating cinnamon’s versatility by highlighting its deliciousness and its plethora of health benefits.
Cinnamon is obtained from the dried inner bark of several tree species in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). We use cinnamon sticks or powder for everything consumable. Although initially hidden for market gains, cinnamon has been around for a very long time, and there are many myths and theories surrounding how it is sourced.
Indonesia and China are the major producers, making up 70% of the worldwide production. At the same time, the rest of the world focuses on creating new recipes, finding new uses, and exploring the health benefits of cinnamon. The world has generated many directions of cinnamon, from producing to consuming to selling — it is a commodity everywhere.
National Bison Day 2025 🦬
The official National Mammal of the United States, the iconic North American Bison, has played a cultural, economic, and environmental role in the country’s history. Central to the livelihood of Native Americans, they are also a healthy food source and vital to religious ceremonies. The bison is the largest land mammal in North America, with males weighing up to 2,000 pounds and standing up to 6 feet tall. While cows may be smaller at 1,000 pounds and up to 5 feet tall, they’re still mighty powerful. However, Bison only live up to 20 years. The dark brown to black, thick, shaggy coat of the full-grown bison keeps them warm during long, cold winters on the plains. When they’re born, the calves sport a reddish coat. While giant herds once covered the plains, hunters nearly decimated them by the 1800s. Now, bison populate all 50 states, living in national parks, refuges, and on tribal and private lands.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit In Our Frontyard ~ 2013 🐰
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit in Spring 2013
Witches’ New Year – Samhain 2025
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As the darkness now draws near
See the cycle of the year
As the light now goes within
Let the hallows dance begin.
Blessed Samhain Night!
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⛦ Blessed Samhain 2025! ⛦
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Now in the darkening of the year
The veil between the world wears thin
And those gone on ahead draw near.
In the hours of quiet remembrance
that the waning season brings,
We may feel their whispered presence
like the brush of a gentle wind.
Blessed Samhain!
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November … 🍁
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November
November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And Earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.
Author: Clyde Watson
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Halloween 2025
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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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Kringle Candle Company’s “Black Cat”
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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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DIY Dollar Tree Vintage Halloween Welcome Door Hanger
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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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How I Carve My “Jack-o-Lanterns” For Halloween Night
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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:
- Does the pumpkin have any nicks or bruises?
- Does the stem look healthy and is not cut too short?
- Is the pumpkin big enough for what I would like to do with it?
- Does the pumpkin have a smooth surface?
- Do I really like the pumpkin, or should I keep looking for a better one?
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.
- First, I gather all my tools, bowls, stencils, and of course, pumpkins together before I begin with the carving. A couple of days ago, the girls and I decided on what pattern they liked to get carved into their pumpkins.
- After I opened the pumpkin with a kitchen knife, I got those gooey pumpkin guts out. (Usually, I cut it at an angle. The warmth of the candles shrinks it a little bit. That way it stays on the pumpkin and won’t fall inside of it.) When Katelynn was little, she always helped me and said, “We have to get the pumpkin-yikes out of it, before we can carve the pumpkin!” So cute! She still calls it “pumpkin-yikes”.
- I always use the scraper to clean the pumpkin from the rest of the stuff, which keeps the seeds in place. With this tool, I can thin out the walls a little bit more. If the walls are too thick, the pumpkin is harder to carve. But if they are too thin, they can break easier, while I’m carving. Over the last few years, I’ve gotten a better feeling about it, how thick the walls are supposed to be.
- The pumpkin is clean inside and wiped down on the outside. Now I can apply the stencil with some Scotch tape before I use the poker around the lines. Personally, I do not recommend getting the stencil wet for a better fit on the pumpkin surface. It takes forever until the paper is dry. I never have the patience to wait for that. And poking the holes into wet paper makes a mess because it will rip faster.
- As soon as the pattern is poked into the pumpkin, I remove the stencil. I always keep the stencil sitting next to the pumpkin as a reference. Sometimes a hole is not poked perfectly, or the holes are too close together. Some people use a crayon or another marker to connect the lines.
Once the stencil is removed, the carving can begin. A few years ago, I spent a little extra cash to get better carving tools. The tools, they provide with the stencil booklets are good for some carving. But I’ve noticed, I had to re-buy them, because they bent and/or became dull. I love this saw, as you can see in the picture. It has a bigger handle as well. - My little secret to keep the pumpkins in shape for a couple of days: I soak them with a splash of bleach in ice water. Some people wipe them with vinegar and use some vaseline to prevent them from molding and drying out. But I’m not a fan of the vinegar smell, and the vaseline just looks messy if it is not applied correctly.
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:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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World Lemur Day 2025
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.
American Sweetgum
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
A Witches Brew Poem
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Witches Stew
Bubble, blubber, squirm, and gloop,
Boiling broth of bat’s tail soup.
Wobble, slobber, liquid goo,
Add the sole of one old shoe.
Spooky shadows dance around,
Of frogs and rats and snarling hounds.
Steam swirls rising to the roof,
Add one small ear and one old tooth.
Gnarly, scratchy, tickle, and itch,
Stir round and round to make it rich.
Mushy, sticky, sizzle and stew,
They’re making mischief just for you.
by Gareth Lancaster
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Autumn Rain In New England (2)
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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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National Candy Corn Day 2025
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.
Halloween Season (Part V) 2012 – 2013
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2012
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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2013
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.
Echo Lake Park, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2021 (1)
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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 –
My Jack-o-Lanterns (Part V) 2014 – 2016
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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.
Castle Craig’s 125th Anniversary
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.
1900 – 2025
National Cat Day 2025 🐈
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.)
Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)
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/
Naugatuck River Valley Backyard Wildlife (1)
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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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DIY Halloween Black Cat Shadow Box
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Another cute little Black Cat Shadow Box I made for the Halloween Season.
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Plush Animal Lover’s Day 2025
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.
National Immigrants Day 2025
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.
The Nymphenburg Palace In Munich, Germany 2000
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 ~
Our Yard In Late October (1)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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Black Rock State Park, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2025
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Autumn at Black Rock Pond
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Echo Lake Park, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2025 (2)
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Autumn at Echo Lake Park
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National Black Cat Day 2025
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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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Beautiful Colors of Autumn (9)
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Autumn Bradford Pear ~ 2012
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Our Yard/Forest In Late October (3)
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Autumn in Connecticut 2025
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There Was A Little Witch …
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Trick-or-Treat
There was a little witch
who kept her little bat
on the teeny, tiny tip
of her pointy, little hat.
She knocked on many doors
and cackled, “Trick-or-treats!”
while the little bat held out his wings
and gathered tasty sweets.
They shared a midnight feast
besides the Boo Lagoon,
Then flew on home to dream sweet dreams
beneath a candy moon.
by Penny Parker Klostermann
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National Pumpkin Day 2025
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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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A Walk At The Cottonwood Marsh Trail In Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA), Lewisville, Texas ~ 2011
Texas Spring At The Cottonwood Trail In LLELA
DIY Dollar Tree Halloween Haunted House
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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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National Pitbull Awareness Day 2025
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.
Our Texas Frontyard In Spring 2013
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Our Texas garden in front of the house
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Our Yard/Forest In Late October (2)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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Kringle Candle Company’s “Wolf’s Bane” & “Fright Night”
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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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National Kangaroo Awareness Day 2025 🦘
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/
Johnson Grass
Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)
Kevin’s DIY Witches’ Cauldron 2009
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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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Halloween Season (Part IV) 2010 – 2011
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2010
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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2011
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 …
Morning Fog In The Naugatuck River Valley 2021
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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 ~
DIY Dollar Tree Vintage Halloween Box
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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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Horseshoe/Pequabuck Falls, Terryville, Litchfield County, Connecticut In October 2025
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In 1851, Eli Terry constructed a dam on the Pequabuck River to provide waterpower for a new factory, the Terryville Manufacturing Company. Located on Canal Street, the shop made clocks and clock parts. Water from the pond was diverted down a canal to turn a water wheel that generated 35 horsepower at full speed. In 1864, the factory became the Eagle Bit and Buckle Company, manufacturers of harness bits and buckles for the Union Army during the Civil War. Eventually, locks for mailbag pouches were made here. Later, a sawmill occupied the site, and by 1908, it was a woodturning plant. A waterwheel powered the shop until 1913, when it was replaced by an electric motor.
: https://www.plymouthct.gov/interesting-places-in-plymouth
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My Jack-o-Lanterns (Part IV) 2013 – 2014
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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 …
Our Yard/Forest In Late October (1)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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European Fallow Deer (Dama dama)
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.
The Norfolk Historic District, Litchfield County, Connecticut In October 2025
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The town of Norfolk was incorporated in 1758. Early growth was due in part to an industry that developed on the Blackberry River near the town center, of which no significant traces remain. Its main period of growth began with the arrival in 1871 of the railroad, which led to the town’s growth as a summer resort, marketed for its high elevation and fresh air. The town center benefited architecturally from the philanthropic activities of the interrelated Robbins-Battell-Stoeckel families, who contributed churches, civic buildings, and memorials to the town center. The major element of the town center, the former Stoeckel estate, is now home to the Yale Music School’s summer programs.
: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Historic_District
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The Saville Dam & Barkhamsted Reservoir, Litchfield County, Connecticut In October 2025
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The dam is named after Caleb Saville, chief engineer of the ambitious project. Foundations for both the dam and the diversion tunnel were laid in August 1934. Then, the eastern branch of the Farmington River was diverted into a concrete conduit at the bottom of the dam site. Although the Saville Dam was completed in 1940, it was not until 1948 that the Barkhamsted Reservoir filled to full capacity.
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Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury, Connecticut In October 2025
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Stratton Brook offers swimming, picnicking, fishing, cycling, interpretive programs, and more in a beautifully wooded setting with ADA accessibility. Originally called Massacoe State Forest, the park’s land was acquired to demonstrate forest fire control techniques along railroads. The railroad tracks have since been replaced by an impressive bike trail shaded by white pines and traveling over scenic brooks and through a covered bridge. Stratton Brook State Park Trail connects the Farmington River Trail to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.
: https://ctparks.com/parks/stratton-brook-state-park
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Crescent Lake, Southington, Connecticut In October 2025
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Autumn At Crescent Lake
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National Reptile Awareness Day 2025
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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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National Apple Day 2025
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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 2025 🐸
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.
The Old Town In Munich, Germany 2000
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 …
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (8)
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Autumn Bradford Pear
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Song of The Witches
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Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork and blind worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg and Howlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
(Macbeth)
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DIY Halloween Haunted Doll House
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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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16 Years …
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Sixteen candles, bright and bold,
A new chapter to unfold.
You’re a teen, so wise and cool,
Just try not to break every single rule!
Happy 16th Birthday, Sara!
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A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In October 2010
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Fort Worth Zoo 2010
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Our Yard/Forest In Mid-October (1)
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Autumn In Our Yard & Forest
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Little Bunny In Our Frontyard ~ 2013
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.
Kringle Candle Company’s “Candy Corn”
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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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Pole Beans
Pole Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
DIY Halloween Ghost Tassel Garland
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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’s DIY Cat Eyes ~ 2008
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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 2025 🐈
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
Halloween Season (Part III) 2008 – 2009
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2008
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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2009
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 …
Our Forest In Mid-October 2021
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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 –
My Jack-o-Lanterns (Part III) 2011 – 2012
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Happy Halloween Season!
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… to be continued …
Our Yard In Mid-October (1)
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Autumn In Our Backyard
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American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus)
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.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen & The Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany 1995
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.
DIY – Halloween Vintage Cat Shadow Box Shelf Sitter
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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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Beautiful Colors of Autumn (7)
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Autumn Rain in Texas 2011
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Halloween Cat Poem
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Could Be Halloween
Yowling, prowling, growling cat
Why do you switch your tail like that?
Why do your eyes flash gold and green?
Could be–must be–Halloween!
Slinky, inky, blinky cat,
Why do you arch your back like that?
What scary creatures have you seen?
Could be–must be Halloween!
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National Vermont Day 2025
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.
State Fair of Texas At Fair Park, Dallas, Texas 2010
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State Fair of Texas 2010
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The Heublein Tower At Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury, Connecticut In October 2025 (Part II)
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Designed by Smith and Bassette to survive 100 mph (160 km/h) winds, and built by T. R. Fox and Son in 1914, the Heublein Tower served as Gilbert Heublein’s summer home and retreat. Smith and Bassette also designed the north and south wings of the Governor’s Mansion in 1916. Truly an architectural marvel, Mr. Heublein modeled this structure after buildings in his native homeland of Bavaria in Germany. Standing 165 feet (50 m) tall and situated 1,000 feet (300 m) above the Farmington Valley, one can see for several dozen miles in all directions from the top-floor observation lounge. It is also the site of the first home elevator in Connecticut.
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 ~
A New Fence Pole & An Old Dismantled Shed ~ 2013
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.
DIY – “Nevermore” Picture Frame & Bird Cage
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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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Hiking To The Heublein Tower At Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury, Connecticut In October 2025 (Part I)
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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 …
Kringle Candle Company’s “Witches Cauldron”
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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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Tomato Blossoms
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Hop Brook Lake, Middlebury, Connecticut In October 2025
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Hop Brook Lake extends over three communities in New Haven County, Connecticut. These towns are Middlebury, Naugatuck & Waterbury. A dam was built across Hop Brook in Naugatuck, and the resulting lake is known as Hop Brook Lake.
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The Pollinator Garden
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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Autumn At The Lake
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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Lakeshore Trail
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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Lake Winnimaug, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2025
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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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Echo Lake Park, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2025 (1)
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Autumn at Echo Lake Park
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Veterans Memorial Park, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2025
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Autumn Maple at Veterans Memorial Park
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Halloween Season In “Witch City” – Salem, Massachusetts (Part II) 2025
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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 In Salem
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 Witch House/Jonathan Corwin House
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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Old Burying Point/Charter Street Cemetery
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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DIY – Diddlina “Trick-or-Treat” Bag 2005
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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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Halloween Season (Part II) 2006 – 2007
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2006
… 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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The Munster Mansion in Waxahachie, Texas
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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2007
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…
Our Yard/Forest In Early October 2021
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Happy Autumn Season!
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– 10/07/2021 –
Halloween Season In “Witch City” – Salem, Massachusetts (Part I) 2025
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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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Salem Witch Board Museum
The Salem Witch Board Museum is owned and operated by John Kozik, a founding member of the Talking Board Historical Society. Working with the other members, they seek to preserve and uncover the history surrounding the talking board. The items contained in the museum are from his personal collection or donated to the museum for display and educational purposes. John is available for speaking engagements on the wonders and historic impacts of the Ouija board and talking boards.
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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It’s All A Bunch of HOCUS POCUS!
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 …
My Jack-o-Lanterns (Part II) 2008 – 2010
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… to be continued …
Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) 🦆
🦆 Mallard Ducks 🦆
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.
DIY-Dollar Tree Jack-o-Lantern Shelf Sitter
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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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Autumn In Our Neighborhood (1)
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Autumn In Early October 2025
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World Cotton Day 2025
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.
National LED Light Day 2025
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.
Würzburg & Fortress Marienberg, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany 1993
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.
The Full Harvest Supermoon In October 2025
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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National Mad Hatter Day 2025
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
National German-American Day 2025
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
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (6)
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Autumn At The Reunion Tower In Dallas, Texas
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Waxing Gibbous Harvest Moon 2025 (2)
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When Witches Go Riding …
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When witches go riding
And black cats are seen,
The Moon laughs and whispers
‘Tis near Halloween.
~ Author Unknown ~
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National Rhode Island Day 2025
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/
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (4)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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~ The End ~
DIY-Dollar Tree Vintage Witch Sign
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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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168th Annual Fall Fair, Harwinton, Connecticut 2025
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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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46th Annual Fall Festival, Watertown, Connecticut 2025
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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 2025
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.
Kindness To Animals Day 2025
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 2025
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
22 Years
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May this special day bring endless joy,
unforgettable memories,
and boundless opportunities.
Always remember, we are here for you every step of the way.
Happy 22nd Birthday, Katelynn!
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R.I.P. Mimosa Tree ~ 2013
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.
Our Yard/Forest In Early October (1)
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Autumn In Connecticut 2025
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Halloween Kringle Candles 2020
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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.
- 2 Witches Cauldron
- 2 Graveyard Night
- 1 Black Cat
- 1 Day of The Dead
Who is this Kringle Candle Company?
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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🇩🇪 National Unity Day 2025 🇩🇪
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.
Bradford/Callery Pear
Bradford/Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Waxing Gibbous Harvest Moon 2025 (1)
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DIY-Halloween Costume 2004 🐑
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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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My Scandinavian Halloween Gnomes 2025
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Sven, Christoph, and Gunnar
Happy Halloween Season!
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Halloween Season (Part I) 2003 – 2005
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2003
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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2004
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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2005
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 …
Black Rock State Park, Watertown, Connecticut In October 2021
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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 ~
DIY-Dollar Tree Halloween Vintage Black Cat Sign
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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.
Brandy’s Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htCuIpYASOM&list=TLPQMDIxMDIwMjPnVXFfUuEHyQ&index=1
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Autumn In New England (2)
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🍁 Autumn at the Watertown Historical District 🍁
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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My Jack-o-Lanterns (Part I) 2003 – 2007
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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 2025
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 2025
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.
🍏 National Apple Month 2025 🍎
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 2025 🦝
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.
National Kale Day 2025
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.
American Coot (Fulica americana)
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.
Hello, October 2025!
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October Autumn leaves of red and gold that crunch beneath your feet,
Pumpkins on front porches, candy corn, and trick-or-treat,
Tart and tangy cider, apples ripened on the trees,
A hint of winter is coming on the chilly autumn breeze.
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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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Goodbye, September 2025!
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It’s the last day of September. October is almost here!
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Spieka-Neufeld, Cuxhaven & Bremerhaven, Lower Saxony, Germany ~ 1990
In the Summer of 1990, I went to Spieka-Neufeld with my Dad. Spieka-Neufeld is nestled between Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven in Lower Saxony. We rented a whole house as a vacation home for three weeks. Some days, we just walked on the dam and watched the Fischkutter (fishing boats) coming in with their fresh catch in tow. It is a small, quiet place where we can see the tides change, and walk around the waddensea when the tides are low. Yeah, it can be a bit boring for a 16-year-old teenager.
However, we also spent time in Cuxhaven to eat fresh fish dinners. We also went to the pool there. And one time, we went on a boat ride to see seals on the sandbank along the coast of the North Sea. These seals were so adorable. I fell in love with their pups. Dad went to the store and got me a plush seal. I don’t know if tourist boat companies have the seal attraction. But it is so worth it.
In Bremerhaven is the Deutsches Schifffahrtsmuseum (German Maritime Museum), where the German submarine U-2540 “Wilhelm Bauer” is moored in the Old Port. The submarine was originally designed for the Kriegsmarine (Nazi German Navy) and was completed shortly before the end of WWII. Since the submarine was never on patrol, it was scuttled at the end of the war. In 1957, it was raised from the seabed near the Flensburg Fjord and recommissioned for the West German Bundesmarine in 1960. On August 28, 1968, “Wilhelm Bauer” was decommissioned. In April 1984, it became a museum ship for tourists to visit and explore the submarine. It can get a little claustrophobic on the ship, especially when there are a lot of people and it is warm.
We had a lot of fun by the North Sea. But as every vacation does, it had to come to an end.
National Starbucks Day 2025
Starbucks is one of America’s truly iconic brands. Right up there with McDonald’s, there are few places you can go in the world and not find a Starbucks. In other words, it is a brand worth celebrating. More than that, it is a brand worthy of an entire day. Thus, September 29 is National Starbucks Day. From humble beginnings in the coffee-crazed city of Seattle, Starbucks has become the name behind coffee worldwide!
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (5)
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Autumn Bradford Pear Leaves
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World Rivers Day 2025
When there’s already so much talk about the harmful effects of water pollution, why do we need a special day dedicated to rivers? Although most of us are aware of the problem, we may not know how we can participate to be part of the solution. Because a large proportion of the Earth’s population relies on fish for sustenance, we need to actively prevent the degradation of rivers as a result of industrial waste and maintain the balance of the underwater ecosystem.
Understanding this, Mark Angelo proposed a global event celebrating rivers in their beauty and necessity. A worldwide water advocate, Angelo tasted success after organizing the British Columbia, Canada Rivers Day in the 1980s, and wanted to replicate the same globally. The U.N. responded positively to his idea as it matched their theme, ‘Water for Life Decade.’
The first World Rivers Day was celebrated in 2005, and all climate change activists showed their solidarity by organizing the very first World Rivers Day event. Today, World Rivers Day is observed in 100 countries around the world, where those involved show the community and society at large how they can limit the threats to depleting waterways. In 2019, a draft to protect the highly polluted but life-giving Yellow River in China through natural resources became formalized on World Rivers Day.
National North Carolina Day 2025
A state with a myriad of achievements, such as producing the largest number of Nobel laureates in the U.S., being the place where the Wright brothers tested their first flight, and being the 12th state to join the Union, deserves recognition. Hence, in the early 20th century, a proposal was made in the public schools of North Carolina to earmark a day that could “awaken a proper pride in the history of the state.”
The idea behind the recommendation was also to reduce illiteracy in North Carolina by popularizing the system of free public education. Illiteracy became common due to a lack of interest in levying taxes to improve education after the Civil War. Additionally, state officials also formed a Literary and Historical Association in North Carolina to promote cultural interests among the disassociated population.
Every year, schools focus on a different aspect of North Carolina’s history and distribute booklets to students about it. The day starts with the singing of the ‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’ anthem and then recitations covering topics such as DeGraffenried’s colony at New Bern, the Cary Rebellion, the death of John Lawson, early education in the region, and fishing in eastern North Carolina. The program concludes with a rendition of the song, ‘The Old North State.’
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (3)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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… to be continued …
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers @ Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts ~ 09/27/2025 ⚾
Today, Kevin and I went with a friend and his son to see the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Since the Red Sox made it into the playoffs last night, they seem to slack off a bit this afternoon. Unfortunately, they lost 2:1 against the Tigers. But this didn’t stop us from having a good time at the ballpark. Kevin and I had a couple of hot dogs and an Italian sausage roll. The food was great. I always enjoyed Boston’s cuisine.
After the game, we all rode the bus back home to Connecticut. It was a long, eventful, and fun day. Perfect date with the hubby. 😊
World Tourism Day 2025
Get your bulky cameras ready, unfold your maps, and make sure your fanny pack still fits snugly. World Tourism Day raises awareness of the need for accessible tourism all over the planet. World Tourism Day is the result of the work done by the UN’s specialized agency — the World Tourism Organization (WTO). If you ever strolled through a charming, perfectly preserved European village or town, you have probably seen the WTO at work. Boosting local economies and ensuring sustainable tourism are just a few of the benefits of the WTO. More importantly, on World Tourism Day, the WTO makes sure that travel is accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities and folks with low incomes. Whether you’re walking with a cane or rolling in a chair, the world is open for business to you and your friends. So, get traveling!
International Rabbit Day 2025
Rabbits are small mammals with fluffy hair and bushy tails. They can be found in almost every country on the planet and are similar to other Lagomorpha species, such as hares and pikas. Fossils found by archaeologists in the 20th century suggest that rabbits evolved in Asia around 40 million years ago. There are different breeds of rabbits in Australia, Africa, and other continents.
The most popular domesticated rabbits are the wild European rabbits. They initially evolved 4,000 years ago on the Iberian Peninsula, now Spain. Back then, Romans arrived on the land and began breeding them for their meat and fur. As civilization grew, so did trade, and Europeans introduced the rabbit business to more countries. Rabbits adapted regardless of the weather temperatures and, with their rapid reproduction rates, thrived in numbers.
Rabbits were said to be domesticated in the fifth century by monks in France, who kept them as a source of ready food. In time, they started selecting them according to size and color to retain specific traits. By the 19th century, there were a variety of breeds due to selective breeding, which led to breeding them for shows. Children began to form sentimental attachments to them, and people realized how sensitive and delicate these creatures were.
The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (6)
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The rest of the raised beds were built and filled with soil. and ready for some planting. Joshua was my greenhouse inspector. He would make sure the beds were built to standard. The vegetable seedlings grew nicely and were ready to be planted into the beds.
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Our Yard In Late September (1)
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Autumn In Our Yard
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Save The Koala Day 2025 🐨
The Australian Koala Foundation, also known as AKF, started the Save The Koala Month celebrations as a part of its campaign dedicated to helping the koala population. The Australian Koala Foundation began its own noble journey in 1986 under the guidance of two veterinary doctors and the direction of Deborah Tabart. The foundation aims to save the wild koalas by protecting and managing their habitat. They organize an annual campaign to raise awareness of the threats to the koalas and raise funds to continue with their objective.
In 2012, the wild koala was listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction,‘ under the EPBC Act of the Australian Law. This happened only after the Australian Koala Foundation persistently lobbied for the grant of special status to the vulnerable koala population. A senate inquiry led the way, and Deborah Tabart attended each senate hearing and oversaw approximately a hundred submissions — the resultant report was a conclusive indictment of the government’s failure in protecting one of Australia’s most popular icons, the koalas. However, the listing did not prove to be enough. Sadly, for the koalas and for those who care, Australia continues to downplay the immediate attention that koala conservatorship needs. The Australian Koala Foundation is now demanding a Koala Protection Act, similar to the Bald Eagle Act (enacted in 1942). The aim is to implement the act into Australian law for guaranteed protection in the years to come. The Koala Army works tirelessly at all levels of the government to encourage the implementation of the Koala Protection Act.
Johnny Appleseed Day 2024 🍎
John Chapman was better known as Johnny Appleseed. During his life, he became an American legend. Chapman was a leader in conservation and was recognized for the value he placed on apples. He was known as a pioneer nurseryman. Chapman spent quite a bit of time traveling to pursue his profession. Some believe that he randomly planted apple trees. Everything Chapman did was actually based on providing an economic benefit. He would travel around and establish apple nurseries. After several years, Chapman would return years later when the trees had matured. He would then sell the orchards and all the land surrounding them.
John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, didn’t randomly spread apple seeds wherever he went. He worked to carefully plant apple nurseries rather than apple orchards. Chapman would build fences around them to protect the plants from livestock. The nurseries created by Chapman were left to be cared for by neighbors. They would eventually be able to sell the trees on shares as payment for their time. Chapman would then return every two years to take care of the nursery. His first nursery was planted near Warren, Pennsylvania. Many of the nurseries he created were in an area located in north-central Ohio near the Mohican River.
:https://owlcation.com/humanities/Behind-the-Legend-of-Johnny-Appleseed
Alpaca Day 2025 🦙
Alpacas are native to South America and a part of the camelid family. They have been domesticated for more than 9,000 years and have proven their use as animals of burden and agriculture. Their soft, padded feet do not damage pastures, and the lack of front teeth makes them excellent grazers. In 2014, the Alpaca Owners Association established Alpaca Day to educate the public about alpacas and their role in our daily lives.
Each year, the Alpaca Owners Association hosts events all over the U.S.A. in cooperation with farm members to educate people about the alpaca farm industry. Attendees get the opportunity to meet alpacas and learn about alpaca products. Awareness is also raised on how alpacas contribute to the environment and help with greener farms. The Alpaca Owners Association also lets those interested get involved in the Alpaca farm lifestyle.
Because the industry of alpaca farming is still slowly developing in various parts of the world, every year, new themes are introduced to Alpaca Day. But the United States is not the only country that celebrates these adorable animals! Days dedicated to alpacas are also celebrated as New Zealand’s National Alpaca Day on May 2, Peru’s National Alpaca Day on August 1, and National Alpaca Farm Day in the United States, also on September 26. You can safely say that alpacas are loved by people across the world! Alpaca Day is the perfect combination of raising awareness about the animals and conservation of wildlife, as well as spending time with these adorable animals.
Eastern Poison Ivy
Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
🦞 National Lobster Day 2025 🦞
Now considered a fine delicacy throughout most of the world, the crowd-pleasing crustacean has seen darker days. Pacific Standard Magazine writes of a time when “consumers could buy Boston baked beans for 53 cents a pound, canned lobster sold for just 11 cents a pound.” In a time when Maritime New England was practically covered in lobsters, they were a food relegated to prison feed. Lobsters have had quite a journey as a food item.
National Daughters Day 2025
National Daughters Day is a day to celebrate the gift of daughters. Dads and moms have different, but very special relationships with their daughters. And that is to be celebrated. This is a day to cherish our daughters. The initial reason for creating National or International Daughters Day was to erase the stigma in some countries attached to having a girl instead of a boy child. But in developed countries, Daughters Day is a day to celebrate the joy and wonder of having a baby girl and raising a daughter.
:https://www.nationaldayarchives.com/day/national-daughters-day/
Goshen Fair, Goshen, Connecticut ~ 2021 🎡
Kevin, Katelynn, Sara, and I visited the Goshen Fair yesterday morning. The Goshen Fair happens annually on Labor Day weekend. With Fair rides, prize-winning livestock, vendors, and food trucks, there is much to see and taste. The girls were excited to go on all these rides. Due to COVID-19, it seemed like an Eon for them to enjoy a day at a fair. We ate some fair food. It was nice to get something, not necessarily fried, like at the State Fair of Texas. Kevin got some popcorn and munched on that while we walked around. The livestock was so adorable. One of the roosters’ cock-a-doodle-dood every time someone entered the barn. I guess it was his way of greeting everyone. The piglets were so cute. And the Llamas reminded me of Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove”. There were also cows, alpacas, bunnies, sheep, and many more animals.
We also wanted to support some local businesses. I’ve got some honey and found out that the lady who owns the beehive is from Watertown as well. How much more local can it be, getting fresh honey from a backyard beekeeper only two miles down the road?! Katelynn got herself a nice alpaca poncho. Sara couldn’t get enough of those fidget poppers. And before we left, I bought a felt pumpkin guy. I’m such a sucker for Harvest, Autumn, and Halloween decorations. All of us enjoyed the few hours at the Goshen Fair. With the beautiful weather and perfect temperatures, the fairground got crowded quickly. It was time to leave.
Vendors, Rides & Food
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Goshen Fair’s Price-winning Livestock
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~ 09/05/2021 ~
Bluebird of Happiness Day 2025
A bluebird is easy to spot. A male bluebird has a brilliant blue back and flame-orange belly, while a female bluebird has duller colors than the males, much like many other birds. For the longest time, it has been known that the bluebird is a harbinger of happiness. This notion was first held by the Chinese, who saw the bird as immortal, a protector, and a symbol of the sun. Native Americans, too, were in deep awe of the bluebird. Navajos revered it as a spirit in animal form, and the Iroquois believed the bluebird’s song would make the harsh winters bearable. For the Russians, the bluebird represented hope. In 1908, a play named “The Blue Bird” by Maurice Maeterlinck depicted two children in search of the Bluebird of Happiness. This play was adapted into an opera, several films, and a children’s novel, further popularizing the assumption that bluebirds bring happiness.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks. Thousands of “honkers” migrate north and south each year, filling the sky with long V-formations. However, as lawns have proliferated, an increasing number of these grassland-adapted birds are remaining in urban and suburban areas year-round, where some people regard them as pests.
Salou & Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain 1987
Salou & L’Ametlla del Mar in Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain at The Mediterranean Sea
World Rhino Day 2025 🦏
World Rhino Day was first celebrated on September 22, 2011, but was first announced by World Wildlife South Africa in 2010. It took the joint effort of Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishakwe Ranch in Zimbabwe and Rhishja Cota to pull this feat off in 2011. With the increasing rates of poaching of rhinoceros species, it was imperative to call together cause-related organizations, wildlife conservation centers, N.G.O.s, zoos, and concerned individuals to seek effective ways to stop rhino poaching and possibly preserve endangered species.
Rhinos are large mammals belonging to the rhinocerotidae family. They have no natural predators except humans. Rhino species worldwide are threatened and are on the brink of extinction, with more than 7,000 rhinos lost to poaching between 2008 and 2017 in South Africa, which is home to over 70% of the world’s rhino population. In 2011, the African black rhino species was declared extinct.
Every day, approximately three rhinos are killed and poached for their horns. Poachers use tranquilizers to disable the rhinos and inhumanely cut off their horns. The rhinos are then left to bleed to death. Anti-poaching efforts have been frustrated, as most poachers are armed with sophisticated weapons and blinded by greed to see the pain inflicted on the poor creatures. World Rhino Day is the perfect opportunity for us all to stand against the trade of rhino horns and preserve these incredibly magnificent creatures.
Elephant Appreciation Day 2025
Elephant Appreciation Day is an excellent opportunity to show these majestic and beautiful creatures the respect they deserve. Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth, so it’s only right that they have a day completely dedicated to them. Sadly, humans are increasingly placing the elephant’s future at risk.
Autumnal Equinox/Mabon 2025
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Astronomically, it’s the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. Thus, Autumn (and Spring) equinoxes provide Earth roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. After another blazing hot Summer, the first day of fall signals cooler weather.
From the time of the Druids, the fall equinox signaled the end of the harvest. Then, winter preparations began. Families celebrated with parties and other social gatherings. Autumn lasts until the Winter solstice.
Today, city dwellers often head to the countryside — for example, rural New England, to take in the changing colors of the leaves. Symbolically, the fall equinox reminds us to be grateful for the “harvests” in our own lives over the years. This fall equinox, reflect on the bounty of nature and the possibilities for abundance in every part of your amazing life.
: https://nationaltoday.com/fall-equinox/
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Benjamin’s 7th Birthday 🎉
Our Norwegian Forest Cat celebrates another year today!
Happy 7th Birthday, Benny!
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (4)
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Autumn Photos with Sara in November 2010
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The Last Day of Summer 2025
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Today is the last day of the astronomical Summer.
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Sea Otter Awareness Week 2025
Sea Otter Awareness Week celebrates a small and underrated creature. Otters have been around for centuries before us. They date back to the Miocene age, roughly five to 23 million years ago. If you look beyond their cuteness, you’ll see an animal essential for our survival. Otters are keystone species that have a significant role to serve. They create a balance in the ecosystem by controlling the sea urchin population. This is especially essential as sea urchins overfeed on kelp and have destroyed much coastal kelp. Maintaining kelp forests reduces the effects of climate change, reducing carbon dioxide.
The International Fur Seal Treaty of 1911 saved sea otters from extinction by banning the hunting of sea otters and other keystone species, though their population continued to fluctuate throughout the years. In 1977, sea otters were listed in the Endangered Species Act, but conservation groups, such as the Defenders of Wildlife (founded in 1947), played a great role in the recovery process. In 2006, Defenders of Wildlife aided in establishing the California Sea Otter Fund, allowing taxpayers to donate to the cause.
Sea otters have since recovered due to the advocacy of wildlife conservation groups and government intervention, but the effects of overhunting sea otters are still felt. Sea otters continue to face challenges. Their main threats are man-made: oil spills, fishing gear entanglement, vessel strikes, and habitat degradation due to pollution and global warming.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (2)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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Batman Day 2025 🦇
Batman’s success over the years makes him a household name, but this day is actually celebrated to commemorate his first appearance ever in ‘‘Detective Comics’’ back in 1939. The day was originally in June in its first year, but was moved around a few times.
The first Batman Day was officially observed on July 23, 2014, to coincide with Comic-Con International in San Diego that year. At Comic-Con, Batman’s 75th Anniversary was celebrated through Batman merchandise sales, and participating stores sold Batman stock from four different eras of the protagonist’s career. Classic original to modern design.
In 2015, special Batman publications and merchandise were released especially for Batman Day. It was discovered that the popularity of this day compared to other characters, such as Wonder Woman and Superman, was the humanistic component. Batman is known to have no superpowers, though he is in fact viewed as a superhero. His relatability, bravery, and pure athleticism have, over time, earned him all his hardcore fans.
The Bat signal became known worldwide as one of the most identifiable images amongst other superhero iconography, making Batman capable of transcending cultures and language throughout the world. For the past five to six years, ‘’Warner Bros’’ and ‘‘DC Entertainment’’ have had Batman Day celebrations memorializing this classic character; This year’s Batman Day is promised to be the biggest and best one yet.
The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (5)
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Some of my veggies and fruits were potted separately. It was still too cold to plant the tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse-raised beds. There were nights when I had to cover the crop since I didn’t heat the greenhouse. Two to three weeks later, it was a different story. The soil and the air were warm enough for planting. And I had to keep the greenhouse door and window open during the daytime. It became very warm very quickly in Texas.
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International Talk Like A Pirate Day 2025
All you bilge rats, Aaaaaarrrrrrgh! As you are out and about on September 19th, don’t be surprised if people are saying, “Ahoy Matie,” “Avast,” “Aye, Aye Capt’n,” “Land ho!” and many other pirate-like phrases, because it’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
While ordering your coffee in the drive-thru, ask if they have a change for gold bullion. Try testing your pirate language out at the library when asking for the location of Moby Dick. The pirate language always fares well in rough seas. Settle a debate with “I’m right or I’ll walk the plank!” To polish your persona, practice a swagger, limp, and squint. Long days at sea give pirates unique qualities.
:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international-talk-like-a-pirate-day
McIntosh Apple
McIntosh Apple (Malus domestica)
World Bamboo Day 2025
Bamboo is a type of giant grass that is hard and hollow. It is also the fastest-growing land plant in the world. Certain species of bamboo grow 36 inches within 24 hours. This means that it grows about one inch every 40 minutes. The only thing that grows faster is giant sea kelp. Most people are aware that bamboo is the panda bear’s favorite food. In fact, 99 percent of the panda’s diet is bamboo.
Bamboo poles are very strong and sturdy. For this reason, many people use bamboo in construction. Bamboo also contains an anti-fungal and antibacterial quality. Due to this, bamboo is used to produce charcoal. Other products made from bamboo include furniture, musical instruments, toilet paper, disposable cutlery, solar-powered batteries, flooring, drinking straws, and skateboards.
:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international/world-bamboo-day
Our Garden/Yard In Early September 2021
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This evening I walked around in the yard, looking for photo material. And I was not disappointed. From Acorns to Sedum, I found quite interesting September material. Autumn makes its entrance very slowly. Today I saw that our birch tree began changing its dress from Summer green into Autumn gold. The acorns and samaras begin to drop to the ground more frequently. The hostas display their last blooms. And the sedum has a beautiful pink to show off in our wildscape garden. Since Ida’s visit, we have cooled down considerably. Autumn shouldn’t be too far away anymore.
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~ 09/03/2021 ~
Dollar Tree DIY Autumn Mason Jar Shelf Sitter (1)
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For my DIY Autumn Shelf Sitter, I used one of those wood-pressed Mason Jars. I removed the original paper sign, galvanized metal, and bow before I sanded the “jar”. I cleaned it of the sanding dust and glued on the plaid scrapbook paper. Once the glue had dried. I sanded off the edges of the paper. For a nicer edge, I used antique wax on the sides of the “Mason Jar” and the “Hello Fall” wooden cutout sign. I waited a day to let the wax dry thoroughly.
The following day, I cut a styrofoam pumpkin in half and painted it with matte red, orange, and yellow from Folkart and Apple Barrel. And as a finish, I painted it with some gold. To bring out the ribs of the pumpkins, I painted the creases with antique wax. I also painted the stem for a more natural look. For all that, I used a thin brush.
In the meantime, I hot-glued the tie, bow, galvanized leaf, and “Hello Fall” sign to the “jar”. Since the pumpkin had some blemishes, I used some moss to cover them up. It worked perfectly sitting on the haybale. When I added the pumpkin on the haybale to the sign, I noticed that the shelf sitter can stand perfectly by itself. So, I didn’t have to add anything else. Usually, I glue a wood block for stability in the back. But it is not necessary, this time.
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Constitution Day & Citizenship Day 2025
After the American Revolution freed the American colonies from British rule, the Founding Fathers sought to ensure that the new government would not abuse its power. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, delegates from twelve of the thirteen new states gathered to draft the document that would serve as the basis of all future U.S. law. The Constitution establishes three branches of government with equal powers, creating a system commonly referred to as “checks and balances.” Each branch has the power to mitigate the others. Powers not assigned to one of the three branches are left to the individual states.
Delegates at the Convention had two options for setting up the framework of the new legislative branch. The Virginia Plan, predictably supported by larger states, called for representation based on population. The competing New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for each state. The two-house solution known as the Great Compromise combines aspects of both plans and is still in use today. The Constitution also outlines the responsibilities and powers of the judicial and executive branches, how the President is elected, and other nitty-gritty details.
The Founding Fathers recognized that society evolves and that the Constitution would require a mechanism for making changes. However, they wanted to ensure that making changes would require agreement from a large number of states. A proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states to alter the Constitution. In 1940, Congress and the President passed a resolution creating “I Am an American Day,” observed on the third Sunday in May. In 1952, the holiday was renamed to “Constitution Day” and moved to September 17, the day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed. More than 50 years later, in 2004, Congress changed the name to Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
American Citizen since January 12, 2017, Irving, Texas
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 🦢
The exotic Mute Swan is the elegant bird of Russian ballets and European fairy tales. This swan swims with its long neck curved into an S and often holds its wings raised slightly above its back. Although they’re numerous and familiar in city parks and in bays and lakes in the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic, Mute Swans are not native to North America. Their aggressive behavior and voracious appetites often disturb local ecosystems, displace native species, and even pose a hazard to humans.
Mute Swans were first brought to North America to decorate ponds and lakes in towns and cities, and that’s still the best place to find these familiar waterfowl. You may also find them on shallow wetlands, lakes, rivers, and estuaries within the scattered range where they’ve become established in the wild.
Mayflower Day 2025
Mayflower Day is the day set aside to commemorate the history of the journey that saw travelers from England who were seeking refuge, sail through the ocean to create a new colony in the ‘Promised Land’, which is the territory of the modern-day United States.
Although the ship reached and eventually docked at present-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts, its original destination was a region in and around the present-day territory of the U.S. state of Virginia. According to historical accounts, rough sea conditions and storms prevented it from reaching its final destination in Virginia and subsequently docked at an area around the present-day Hudson River in what is now New York state.
The original 102 travelers on the Mayflower were led by a group of English merchants known as the London Adventurers, one of whose journals most of the written account of the 66-day journey was obtained from. Mayflower Day celebration serves as a remembrance of the history, travelers, and the vessel that has now become an important part of the creation of the modern-day United States.
One of the travelers on the Mayflower ship, William Bradford is considered to have helped establish the traditions of self-government that would later set the pattern for national political development in years to come with his introduction of franchise and town meetings as the 30-year governor of the Plymouth colony where the travelers of Mayflower settled and is also one of thirteen colonies that formed the present United States.
A Vacation At The Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany ~ 1986
In the Summer of 1986, my Dad, his then-girlfriend, and I went on a vacation at the Baltic Sea (Ostsee). We spent two weeks in a vacation home in Niendorf. From there, we went to Timmendorf Beach and did a boat ride on the Trave River by Travemünde. One day, we drove to Lübeck. I wanted to see the famous Holsten Gate, but we didn’t make it there. When we spent some time in Travemünde, we saw the TT-Line, also known as Peter Pan. In 1986, the TT-Line Pty. Lfd. had only Peter Pan. The Nils Holgersson was renamed to Abel Tasman at that time. The line expanded with more ships. When we stepped outside the restaurant, we noticed how big the Peter Pan ferry was as it anchored right next to us. If we had our passports with us, we could have taken a day trip to Sweden and Finland while traveling in the Gulf of Bothnia. Oh well! We went to Puttgarden on Fehmarn and watched the Ferries on their journey to Denmark instead.
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (3)
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Autumn Willow Oak 2008
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Hungry Chipmunks 🐿
Eli & Eleanor
Our Yard/Forest In Mid-September (2)
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Since it was warm, I made my way to the trail between our yard and the forest on our property. The trees keep the area much cooler. On my way down, I didn’t see the white-tailed doe in the forest. She got startled and snorted, which startled me, and I almost screamed. But I kept my bearings and realized that I sneaked up on her. We looked at each other. And once she felt safe, she kept eating before she disappeared into the thickest part of the forest. That was interesting. This could have turned out completely differently. Thank goodness, she was far enough away and decided not to approach me. *phew*
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National Hug Your Hound Day 2025
National Hug Your Hound Day was started by Ami Moore, the “Dog Whisperer of Chicago.” She created the day to celebrate the long and lasting bond between a dog and its owner. Ami Moore is best known for her exceptional qualifications that have led to her being one of the world’s most famous dog experts. She was trained as a Native American Medicine Woman, and her expertise has been testified to by a series of degrees and honors. She works with the singular purpose of increasing the health and happiness of canines all over the world. Along with medical and behavioral help, she aims to achieve that through Hug Your Hound Day celebrations.
Ami has a long history of working in canine behavior and problem-solving. She’s best known for pioneering the concept of positive reinforcement using electronic dog training equipment to encourage a dog’s natural drive to follow a strong leader. Through the development and use of her techniques, Ami has helped better the rowdy behaviors in dogs all over the world, creating a better relationship between them and their owners. Some of the issues that Ami has successfully treated are a dog’s tendency to destroy furniture, jump on guests, experience separation anxiety, and socialize them so they’re no longer aggressive to people and other dogs. Needless to say, her expertise has made the world a better and safer place for dogs and dog lovers. Hug Your Hound Day is about bettering your relationship with your pet by learning humane techniques and being patient with your dogs during their learning period.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (1)
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Fort Worth Zoo 2009
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… to be continued …
Our Garden & Greenhouse Harvest (1)
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Compared to previous years, we haven’t been as lucky with our crops this year. However, we still have some basil, corn, cucumbers, green beans, parsley, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Today I picked more tomatoes and pumpkins.
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Uncle Sam Day 2025
President George HW Bush declared September 13 as Uncle Sam Day in 1989. This was in honor of Samuel Wilson’s birth anniversary. The day also coincided with the bicentennial celebration of the City of Troy, New York, where Wilson lived and worked. Sam Wilson, a meat packer from New York, supplied barrels of meat to soldiers during the War of 1812. Wilson would stamp “U.S.” on the barrels to identify the meat for shipment. It wasn’t long before the soldiers associated the stamp of the US with Sam Wilson himself and cheerfully started addressing him as Uncle Sam. This nickname soon became popular.
However, the first illustration of Uncle Sam is not the one we know today. Published by Harper’s Weekly in 1861, the young Uncle Sam wore a bandana on his head and a striped vest and is depicted dividing up Virginia like a butcher. Through the years, the image of Uncle Sam has been renovated according to the political climate of the country. But it wasn’t an American who designed the Uncle Sam logo- the credit belongs to German-born illustrator and cartoonist Thomas Nast, who designed the long-legged Uncle Sam we know today. Today, Uncle Sam can be distinguished by a starred top hat and striped pants. Interestingly, Uncle Sam also made his debut in Harper’s Weekly. During the modern era, Uncle Sam has been recreated in color. The United States Army used the artwork for the “I Want You For The U.S. Army” campaign during World War I. It first appeared on the cover of Leslie’s Weekly.
My Garden Buddies ~ 2013 🐍
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Rough Earth Snake & Northwestern Garter Snake
My slithering little friends kept the garden and greenhouse bug-free. They enjoyed living in our yard. Minding their own business, while being good garden helpers. I wish more people could see the benefits of having a non-venomous snake on their properties.
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Wild Pansy
Viola tricolor is a common European wildflower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. The species is also known as wild pansy, Johnny Jump up (though this name is also applied to similar species such as the yellow pansy), heartsease, heart’s ease, heart’s delight, tickle-my-fancy, Jack-jump-up-and-kiss-me, come-and-cuddle-me, three faces in a hood, love-in-idleness, and pink of my john.
It has been introduced into North America, where it has spread. It is the progenitor of the cultivated pansy, and is therefore sometimes called wild pansy; before the cultivated pansies were developed, “pansy” was an alternative name for the wild form. It can produce up to 50 seeds at a time. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow, or white.
Our Neighbor’s Garden In September 2025
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1) Bell Pepper; 2) Spaghetti Squash; 3) Blooming Garlic;
4) Tomatoes; 5) Spaghetti Squash; 6) Cayenne Peppers
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Our Yard/Forest In Mid-September (1)
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1) Wood Aster; 2) Common Jewelweed; 3) Autumn American Beech
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Patriot Day 2025
… after September 11, the world would never be the same.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET … 09-11-2001
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We Remember
For many, September 11, 2001, began like any other weekday. We made our way to work. Children attended school. We shopped, had coffee, and waited in line at a drive-thru. Those of us who weren’t in New York City heard the first reports on the radio or television. A friend or neighbor alerted us to a plane flying into one of the Twin Towers. We felt disbelief. An accident, perhaps, a miscalculation. Then, a second plane flew into the second tower. Our disbelief turned into uncertainty and concern.
Those on the ground faced terror and obstacles they had never known. But then, as a set of coordinated suicide attacks organized by the militant group Al Qaeda targeted the World Trade Center, the rest of the nation witnessed the unbelievable. And then a third plane crashed into the Pentagon. And yet another crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA.
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Memorial
Every year since that fateful day, the United States has come together to remember the fallen. We remember the first responders and those who made difficult decisions. Since that day, memorials have risen from the ashes.
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: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/patriot-day-september-11/
Delicious Homegrown Apples ~ 2021 🍎
It seems I got myself confused over the last few months. I’m still unsure what kind of apples we are growing in our front yard. I’m leaning toward “McIntosh” instead of “Crapapple”. We still might be guessing for a little while. All we know is that these apples are delicious. Kevin, the girls, and I usually eat them right there, where we pick them. There is nothing better than a freshly picked apple.
~ 09/03/2021 ~
Dollar Tree DIY-“Happy Fall, y’all!” Pumpkin Shelf Sitter
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With a limited budget at hand, I always have to consider purchasing decorations from Dollar Tree and repurposing them to my own liking. There are many tutorial videos on YouTube, which give me plenty of ideas. Last year, I started with some Halloween decor. I’m still learning. It is a lot of fun to be creative and to accomplish something that I can be proud of.
The last couple of days, I worked on this pumpkin shelf sitter. The top left image shows the original purchased item. And the top right image shows my own style. Below, I will describe the process in a few photos.
I separated the pumpkin pieces and peeled off the decorative paper. After sanding and cleaning both pumpkins, I gave them a coat of white chalk paint. I let the paint completely dry. I picked one of my Autumn fabrics and glued it on the front of the taller pumpkin (I cut the fabric into a rectangle to the size of the pumpkin. It’s better to leave some fabric over the edges, which can be trimmed later.) Once the fabric was spread on the pumpkin, I brushed another coat of Mod Podge on top of it. Then I let it completely dry. The dried Mod Podge gives the fabric a paperlike texture, and the edges can easily be sanded off. Once the edges were sanded and cleaned with a baby wipe, I lightly tapped some antic wax around the edges of the pumpkin. (I always start with the wax lightly and add more as I go. This way I avoid getting too much wax on the fabric because it is much harder to correct it afterward.)
While I waited for the tall pumpkin to dry, I always worked a little bit on the smaller pumpkin. I mixed “Pumpkin Orange” with a couple of drops of “Chestnut” (Apple Barrel) and gave the pumpkin two coats. I always let one coat dry before I add another coat. Once the paint was dry again, I used my antic-wax around the edges. With a tissue and a small amount of antic wax, I drew the grooves to make the pumpkin look more realistic. Later, I stenciled “Happy Fall, y’all!” on the smaller pumpkin.
Before I glued the pumpkins together, I added a couple of Jenga blocks as risers. This gives the pumpkins a greater optical depth than being directly glued on top of each other. I still had a raffia bow, and I hot-glued it to the smaller pumpkin. For the tall pumpkin, I used burlap ribbons to make a lazy bow. And the new pumpkin shelf sitter is done.
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White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) 🦌
The white-tailed deer, also known commonly as the whitetail and the Virginia deer, is a medium-sized species of deer native to North America, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru and Bolivia, where it predominantly inhabits high mountain terrains of the Andes. It has also been introduced to New Zealand, all the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico), and some countries in Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Romania, and Serbia. In the Americas, it is the most widely distributed wild ungulate.
In North America, the species is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains as well as in southwestern Arizona and most of Mexico, except Lower California. It is mostly displaced by the black-tailed or mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from that point west, except for mixed deciduous riparian corridors, river valley bottomlands, and lower foothills of the northern Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming west to eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, and north to northeastern British Columbia and southern Yukon, including in the Montana valley and foothill grasslands. The westernmost population of the species, known as the Columbian white-tailed deer, was once widespread in the mixed forests along the Willamette and Cowlitz River valleys of western Oregon and southwestern Washington, but current numbers are considerably reduced, and it is classified as near-threatened. This population is separated from other white-tailed deer populations.
Texas is home to the most white-tailed deer of any U.S. state or Canadian province, with an estimated population of 5.3 million. High populations of white-tailed deer exist in the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, and Indiana also boast high deer densities. The conversion of land adjacent to the Canadian Rockies to agricultural use and partial clear-cutting of coniferous trees, resulting in widespread deciduous vegetation, has been favorable to the white-tailed deer and has pushed its distribution to as far north as the Yukon. Populations of deer around the Great Lakes have expanded their range northwards, also due to the conversion of land to agricultural use, with local caribou, elk, and moose populations declining. White-tailed deer are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk hours.
National Teddy Bear Day 2025 🧸
The teddy bear was created to commemorate American President Theodore Roosevelt. On November 14, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt went on a bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi. Governor Andrew H. Longino of Mississippi had invited him. Unlike some of the other hunters in the party, Roosevelt had not been able to shoot a single bear. Roosevelt’s aides trapped and tied a black bear to a willow tree, commanded by Holt Collier, a born slave and former Confederate cavalryman. They summoned Roosevelt and asked him to shoot it. Roosevelt declined to shoot the bear because he thought it was highly unsportsmanlike. The word of this soon traveled across the country via newspaper stories. The stories detailed the president’s refusal to shoot a bear. It wasn’t just any president, either; it was Theodore Roosevelt, the big game hunter.
Clifford Berryman, a political cartoonist, saw the report and chose to parody the president’s unwillingness to shoot the bear, funnily. On November 16, 1902, Berryman’s cartoon ran in the “Washington Post.” Morris Michtom, the proprietor of a Brooklyn candy shop, saw the cartoon and had an idea. He and his wife, Rose, also produced stuffed animals, and Michtom decided to make a plush toy bear for the president who refused to shoot a bear. He dubbed it ‘Teddy’s Bear.’ Michtom mass-manufactured the toy bears after obtaining Roosevelt’s permission to use his name, which was so successful that he soon created the Ideal Toy Company. Within a few years, the selling of teddy bears had grown so rapidly that he established a soft toy firm to manufacture them. Around the same period, a German firm called Steiff began manufacturing teddy bears with movable joints. Every year, millions of teddies are marketed and given as presents or are manufactured to commemorate specific events or occasions. And it feels that their appeal is unlikely to be dismissed very soon.
The Imperial Castle & The Zoo In Nuremberg, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany 1986 🦚
The Nuremberg Castle is a group of medieval fortified buildings situated on a sandstone ridge that dominates the historical center of Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany. The castle, together with the city walls, is considered to be one of Europe’s most formidable medieval fortifications. It represented the power and importance of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the outstanding role of the Imperial City of Nuremberg.
Nuremberg Zoo is a zoo located in the Imperial Forest, southeast of Nuremberg. With an area of 67 hectares (170 acres), approximately 300 animal species are kept by the zoo.
The Waning Gibbous Corn Moon 2025
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Our Yard In Early September (1)
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1) Maples & Shrubs; 2) Autumn Maple; 3) Autumn Wild Grape
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Beautiful Colors of Autumn (2)
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Autumn Sweetgum Leaves
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National Pet Rock Day 2025
The pet rock was created by advertising executive Gary Dahl in April 1975. Each rock is a smooth stone picked from Mexico’s Rosarito Beach. It was sold in a custom-made cardboard box complete with breathing holes and a straw. Die-cutting and manufacturing cardboard boxes represented the biggest production expense for Dahl. The stones were regarded as live pets and were marketed as such.
The inspiration behind this strange creation came from complaints from Dahl’s friends about the stress of caring for their pets. During a discussion in a bar, Dahl joked about keeping a rock as a pet. He emphasized the fact that rocks don’t require walking, feeding, treatment, or other necessities a live pet demands. Dahl, however, didn’t stop at just wisecracking; he did them one better.
He went on to write a pet rock instruction manual, which included jokes and gags about how to “care” for the rock. The instruction manual was a popular addition to the pet rock itself, showcasing Dahl’s amazing sense of humor. The pet rock fad came to an end after a slight boom in sales during the festive season of 1975.
Gary Dahl made a tidy profit, selling over a million pet rocks before the eventual discontinuation in February 1976. At the time, each rock sold for $4, making it one of the most fascinating marketing schemes ever. If you were to consider the $4 in the context of today’s prices, each person would have to shell out $18 for each pet rock!
National Acorn Squash Day 2025
Most fruits always seem to have that balance of satisfying your sweet tooth while supplying your body with a bounty of nutrients. The squash is one of the fruits that possesses that quality effortlessly. However, today isn’t the celebration of just any squash, but the acorn squash in particular.
Acorn squash is indigenous to North and Central America and was introduced to early European settlers by Native Americans. It is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes pumpkins, butternut squash, and zucchini. The acorn squash resembles an acorn, typically weighs between one and two pounds, and measures between four and seven inches in length. It varies in color from dark green to white. However, the most commonly grown varieties are dark green and often have a patch of bright orange towards the top.
Acorn squash has sweet, yellow-orange flesh that has a slightly nutty flavor. It can be baked, microwaved, sautéed, or steamed. Some cooks like to stuff it with rice, meat, cheeses, or vegetable mixtures. You can also toast the seeds of the acorn squash, much like pumpkin seeds. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, as well as smaller amounts of vitamins C and B, magnesium, and manganese.
National New Hampshire Day 2025
New Hampshire was one of the thirteen colonies that rebelled against British colonialism during the American Revolution. The economic and social life in New Hampshire had much to do with sawmills, shipyards, and merchants’ warehouses. Villages and town centers quickly sprang up in the region. Wealthy merchants invested their capital in trade and land speculation, and there also developed a class of laborers, mariners, and slaves.
The only battle fought in New Hampshire was the raid on Fort William and Mary on December 14, 1774. The battle was fought with gunpowder, small arms, and cannon for two nights. According to legend, the gunpowder was later used at the Battle of Bunker Hill after several New Hampshire patriots stored the powder in their homes until it was transported elsewhere for use in revolutionary duties. During the raid, the British soldiers fired upon the revolutionaries with cannons and muskets. There were no casualties, but these were among the first shots fired in the American Revolutionary period. New Hampshire ratified the Constitution on June 21, 1788. It was also on this day that New Hampshire became the ninth state to join the Union.
New Hampshire is a part of the six-state region of New England. It is bounded by Quebec and Canada to the north and northwest; Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east; Massachusetts to the south; and Vermont to the west. New Hampshire boasts of dense woods, mighty mountains, and a shoreline. It is the fifth smallest state in America.
Texas Discovery Gardens At The Fairground In Dallas, Texas 2009 🦋
Texas Discovery Gardens is a 7.5-acre native garden and butterfly house in Dallas, Texas
Our Yard/Forest In Early September (1)
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1) Wild Grape; 2) Wood Aster; 3) Staghorn Sumac; 4) Common Pokeweed;
5) Autumn in our Forest; 6) Staghorn Sumac; 7) Goldenrod;
8) Knotweed/Smartweed
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Autumn Rain In New England (1)
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Sara was at a 5 K run from Cross Country at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury. She finished the run in time before the storms arrived in Connecticut. It was extremely humid in the low 80s before the storm hit. Meanwhile, the lightning strikes were intense. The thunder rumbled through the valley. They shook our house twice. The rain poured down so hard our new gutters couldn’t keep up with it. But after all this craziness was over, we were rewarded with a sunset.
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Turkey Vulture Day 2025
International Turkey Vulture Day is an international celebration created as a global effort coordinated between many governments and animal conservation associations. South Africa and England are some of the first countries to observe this day and organize events and conservation initiatives for vultures. Vulture conservationists are now much better equipped and publicize their efforts.
Although vultures are known for their negative image as scavenger birds, they haven’t always had this reputation. During ancient times, they constituted a significant iconography for many mythological gods. One of the most prominent examples is Nekhbet, a goddess and patron of Ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptian royalty even wore vulture crowns, one of the most recognizable pieces of archaic clothing, as a form of protection. In many ancient South American civilizations, vultures were a significant symbol.
Several sub-species of vultures are now distinguished, making them one of the most diverse species in the world. Despite their genetic diversity, many subspecies of vultures face a conservation crisis and are threatened with extinction. Poisoning is one of the most common causes of death among vultures, especially in Africa. Wind energy collision is also a common cause, notably in Eurasia. Animal poaching and poisoning result in many vulture deaths, as they often rely on dead animals as a source of sustenance.
As of the early 2000s, several programs for breeding and conservation of vultures have been initiated. These programs aim to raise awareness of the issue and its possible implications. As a significant part of our ecosystem, vultures need as much attention and care as other animals.
National Hummingbird Day 2025
The historical evolution of Hummingbirds has not been traced to any verifiable or scientifically researched source. Their first public sighting was published in a journal by a French explorer on his travels to Brazil. Their ability to have survived millions of years must have been difficult due to their size and structure. Hummingbirds, as beautiful and precious as they are, are only found in the Americas, especially in North and South America.
Hummingbirds are those small, colorful birds distinguished by their ability to hover mid-air, rapidly flapping their wings – which produces the humming sound they are characteristically known for. They are attracted to flowering plants, especially those with deep throats, and feed on the nectar for survival. Their reliance on nectar has helped the development of new hummingbird species influenced by the changes in the flowers. The number of species is still growing, but about 360 species of Hummingbirds currently exist. Even with their aggressive nature, as many as 25 different species of Hummingbirds can survive and co-exist in the same place. The hummingbird’s size makes them susceptible to being preyed upon or caught in dangerous situations that could be man-made or natural. Some of these threats include pesticides, adverse weather conditions, large insects or predators, habitat loss, and poor feeders, among others.
Even though these creatures have survived a long time without the direct and active intervention or help of man, this is currently changing as more information is being gathered on their vulnerability and threats to their survival. National Hummingbird Day exists to celebrate these beautiful flying creatures. It recognizes their importance in pollinating our flowers and identifies threats and situations that are harmful to them. It also encourages safer practices that will ensure their survival.
:https://nationaltoday.com/national-hummingbird-day/
The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (4)
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After the greenhouse was built, the next stage was to start a garden-raised bed. I still had plenty of weeds to pull on the greenhouse ground. When most of the weeds were gone, I loosened the clay and mixed it with the raised bed soil. Kevin and I put up an 8′ x 25″ x 1.5″ wood plank as a barrier before we filled in the rest of the soil. Finley inspected and watched my garden work before he took a nap behind the greenhouse. I guess watching people work can make a cat very tired. It was a sunny Spring afternoon. I can’t blame him.
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Waxing Gibbous Corn Moon 2025
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Marigold
Under The Harvest Moon 