October People

“October Country” that is how Ray Bradbury described us.

“October Country . . . that country where it is always turning late in the year. That country where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist; where noons go quickly, dusks and twilights linger, and mid-nights stay. That country composed in the main of cellars, sub-cellars, coal-bins, closets, attics, and pantries faced away from the sun. That country whose people are autumn people, thinking only autumn thoughts. Whose people passing at night on the empty walks sound like rain. . . .” ~ Ray Bradbury

October is where we find the spark that relights our fires after long hot summer. Fall fills us with creavity, joy, and wonder. It’s the time when communities come together and share in the spirit of Halloween. October is a mysterious month, supernatural even. Yet, it’s a truthful month. It brings the harvest. It warns us of the winter to come. It’s where we go to time travel and discover our innocence. It’s not just a shift in the colors but a shift in mood. Embrace the magic.

Wishing you all a happy October!

Monthly Haiku Corner – September 2026

Summerween might be ending next week, but where I live, I’m not so sure the temperatures are coming down.🥵

Truth is, I envy those who can walk out their front door and experience a fall that I only see in pictures. To have mother nature showering you with inspiration, inviting you into the dreamscape and awakening your soul with the crisp morning air…. it’s kinda the only thing I dream of right now. But that’s a whole ‘nother story.

The point is September feels less like Fall out west more and more each year. Climate change is real, and this is a reminder to all to treat the planet more kindly, because it’s the only one with pumpkins, and we can’t have Halloween without pumpkins! Full stop!

dried out fall leaves
chocolate melting in the sun
SoCal halloween

Be safe out there.

Monthly Haiku Corner – November

Happy November! It’s been a minute since this country has had any hope, but last night showed the world that Americans see through the lies of greedy evil conmen. A battle was won but maggots have declared war on our own country. This fight is far from over. We must stand tall like trees and trust in our deep roots.

November’s full moon is a Beaver moon, the biggest brightest supermoon of the year, and I have hope that it will light the way for lost souls well into next year.

forest trees stand tall
lost souls searching through the fog
misty fall morning

Be safe out there.

Smashed Pumpkins

Made with Canva Dream Lab.

Happy Halloween!

I’m a mixed bag of emotions today. Happy that my favorite day of the year has arrived, this is what we’ve been counting down to, of course, but the last day in October is also a bittersweet day. I feel like I didnt celebrate in the way that I wanted. It’s always a bummer to celebrate Halloween season with a US presidential election looming, but this year was particularly sickening. Mostly, work is just kinda killing me. I didn’t even carve my own pumpkin yet! <gasp>

It’s time to say goodbye to our favorite month, our favorite holiday, our favorite time of the year. While the Fall season is in full swing and finally there’s some cooler temps out in SoCal so it actually feels like Autumn, that too is winding down. Christmas crept into retail stores while we were picking out pumpkins. I’m not even ready for that, so I will once again stretch out Halloween through November, before introducing a brand new haunted vampire theme for the month. I’m leaving my decorations up, I’m watching more classic horror movies, I will carve that pumpkin, and I’ll help my fellow Halloween lovers suffering from withdrawals by providing Halloween content, as we barrel into the wicked wonderland.

Truthfully, this website never stops Halloween. We do celebrate all year long but it’s just extra during October. Thank you for stopping by this season. I’m stoked to read all the haiku for this year’s Halloween Haiku Challenge 2024 and pick a winner tonight. Stay tuned for more bloodcurdling fun this November and a brand new haunted holiday season in December. Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat 2024!

Fall Bucket List 2024

Happy Autumn! Did you know there is a difference between Autumn and Fall? Fall specifically refers to a tree’s falling leaves, whereas autumn actually was meant to replace the word harvest, since there was less farming happening at the turn of the century. Whichever word you prefer, here’s my Fall Bucket List for 2024:

This is a working girl’s bucket list, meaning it’s a little lite on activities, but there are some amazing bucket lists out there, should you run out of fun things to do.😄 Have a happy joyous Fall season!🍃🍂🍁🎃

Haiku of the Week

Part IV and the conclusion of the Fall Reading Series.

winter’s light appears
chasing Autumn ghosts away
goodbye November

Haiku of the Week

Part III of the Fall Reading Series.

flipping the pages
reading by candlelight
a soft gasp behind me

Haiku of the Week

Part II of the Fall Reading Series.

moonlight reveal,
little ghost hiding behind
a stack of books

Monthly Haiku Corner – November

Happy November! Halloweentime was a busy, loud, and spooky whirlwind of sight and sound. We waited all year for October, and then, it was gone…the ‘Ber months are always a blur. That’s why I choose to regroup in November. Thanksgiving is two days of madness I don’t mess around with. Nope, I slow down, stay home, eat pie, drink spiced cider, and do some reading.

The theme this month is Fall Reading. All haiku in November will connect to tell the story of a visit to a haunted library, where a little ghost likes to read over people’s shoulders.

November rain falls
gently on gothic windows,
haunted library