Did you read any good books in 2016?  When I pick up a book, I usually know within the first 10 pages if it’s going to take hold and keep my attention.  And, if it does take hold, then I’m in it until the end, meaning I go deaf, dumb and blind to the world until I’ve devoured every page.

On this soon to be upon us day of giving thanks, I find myself thinking of something a guest said during a newsmaker’s panel discussion I watched, in reference to the results of the 2016 presidential election. The panelist suggested, that when we sit down to give thanks this year surrounded by those important to our lives, instead of stating what we’re thankful for, take time to think instead, of what we’ve learned.

How often can we say, “I learned something today?” I’m talking deep down thought-provoking real learning moments.

One of the greatest gifts of Democracy is the right to peaceful protest.  If you live in the US, you can’t escape what’s happening in our country, a division like no other. If you live outside of the US and you’re watching the news you’re probably thinking, what the hell, America?!

Here’s the thing, I really should not be writing a post in my current state of mind.  I am barely functioning after just 3 1/2 hours of sleep, after crying a bucket of tears, and with no nutritional value in my system for the past 22 hours, I am, as I said, barely functioning.

With the election now less than one week away, I find myself holding my breath. This, I promise, is not a political post, but it has crossed my mind in recent weeks to crawl into bed, pull the comforter up over my head and not come out again until November 9.  Is it just me?

Halloween.  It’s not so much that I’m madly in love with the holiday, although I do think it’s crazy fun, but rather I am in fact madly in love with autumn and all things related to the cool crisp change of the season and of course, Halloween falls into the mix.

The Classic Catalog

If you’re of a certain age there’s a pretty good chance you grew up with a copy of The Vermont Country Store catalog in the house, or maybe you discovered it as an adult.  Either way, the catalog is filled with pages of wondrous treasures that find one happily reminiscing and thinking, “Oh, I remember those!”

“Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.”  – William Cullen Bryant

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
― Albert Camus