"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots
may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect
the feelings, as now in October"
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Full Moon: October’s Full Moon, often called Hunter's Moon because of the extra light that its early rising gave to Native Americans so they could continue their hunt for food, will occur on Tuesday, October 27th. It has also been called Yellow Moon and Moon of Falling Leaves by the Cree Tribe because so many trees have turned yellow by now and many trees will lose the last of their leaves in October. It has also been known the Big Feast moon because of the bountiful harvests and Fall celebrations going on at this time.

Special Notes: October is National Fire Prevention Month. Now is a perfect time to check all of your smoke alarms to be sure they are all operating properly and that batteries are fresh. Take the time to create an effective evacuation plan for the family that can be quickly followed in event of a fire. Remember to get your flu shots early this year!

Holidays: In 2015, Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12th and United Nations Day is celebrated on Saturday, the 24th. Children’s favorite holiday (second only to Christmas!) is Halloween, which falls this year on Saturday, October 31st. Plan to have activities and ‘T&T’ end early before dusk and be sure to have older children wear reflective clothing (or costumes!) if they venture out after dark. On the home front, consider giving sensible treats like sugar-less candies and gums or nonfood alternatives like stickers, whistles, toy animals, etc. Be sure to check all treats when the children return from their fun!

The Garden: One last effort at weeding will help to improve the appearance of your garden throughout the winter. Any weed that you can eliminate from the garden this fall will possibly prevent thousands of weed seeds from sprouting in the garden next spring! There is still time left to plant perennial seeds and bulbs! With a little effort at Fall planting time, you will speed the timing of that first new growth by as much as a month. During the fall months, after soil temperature drops below 60EF., the bulbs of spring flowering Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Siberian Squill, Dwarf Irises, Anemone, and Crocus should be planted. Add a little bone meal or bulb fertilizer into the planting hole, as you prepare the soil.

The longer your house plants were allowed to remain outside in the fall, the more shock they will go through when they are finally moved indoors. If you haven't brought them in yet, do it now!

J. Gruber’s Thought For Today’s Living

"Meeting another person more than halfway will often repay you many times in the future"