Month of October

This was the eighth month of the old Roman calendar.

It is linked with autumn in the Northern Hemisphere

while it is associated with the spring season

in the Southern Hemisphere.

Birthstones ~ Opal and Tourmaline

Flower ~ Marigold

Noteworthy Days

October 8 ~ Thanksgiving Day: occurring yearly on the 2^nd  Monday of  October

in Canada since 1957.  It is an annual holiday to give thanks at the end of harvest

season.  It is a celebration of being thankful for what one has and for the bounty

that the season offers us.

Columbus Day is also honoured this day.  When United States implemented  the

Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, most countries in the Western Hemisphere

fix Columbus Day to October 12.  As such, US towns with high amounts of

Canadian tourists, will often hold their festivals over the Canadian Thanksgiving/

Columbus Day … worked in part to draw and accommodate Canadian tourists..

October 16 ~ National Boss Day held each year on this date is a time for many

workers to appreciate their employers...observed in the United States.

It is also known as The Bo$$ Day ~ a secular holiday.

October 24 ~ United Nations Day:  In 1947, the United Nations General
Assembly declared this date the anniversary of the United Nations, as which
     “shall be devoted to the making known to the peoples of the world 
      the aims and achievements of the United Nations 
      and to gaining their support for” its work.

October 31 ~ Halloween:  Originally known as “All Hallow's Eve,” celebrated

on the night before All Saint's Day.  It is observed around the world.  It is a day

to mark the single night of the year when, according to old Celtic beliefs, spirits

and the dead can cross over into the “world of the living”.  Some people hold

parties and children may “trick-or-treat” in their neighbourhood.

October Musings

                        Every season has its special beauty and autumn is no exception.

                        Watching the trees turn from a uniform green to all varieties of

                        gold, yellow and red is a spectacular experience.  One can almost

                        be blinded by the fiery brilliance. 

                        How can it be that all this beauty is sign of death an decay? 

                        With all this beauty there is a certain sadness in knowing that

                        the changing colours foreshadow the arrival of a long cold winter.

                                                             (from Family Friend Poems)

   It Was One of Those Fine Autumn Days

                                                    free from summer's heat and haze,

                                                    but not yet gripped by autumn chill.

                                                    It Was One of Those Fine Autumn Days

                                                    when the sky's so clear

                                                    you can see the moon

                                                    through the atmosphere

                                                    at midday.

                                                    It was One of Those Fine Autumn Days

                                                    when the trees spell yellow and red

                                                     instead of everyday green.

                                                     It was One of Those Fine Autumn Days

                                                     when one draws a breath

                                                     and is grateful

                                                     to be resident on Earth.

(Richard Greene)

Autumn Leaves

                      (A beautiful, yet sad romantic song sung by Andy Williams and others).

                      The greatest rendition of this well-remembered piece of music

                      is played by Duke Ellington's band with soloist Ozzie Bailey

                      whose voice emotionally impressed me as he expressed the experience  

                      of the lyrics...accompanied by Duke's instruments: trumpet, violin,

                      trombone, saxophone, clarinet, bass and drums.  Heard on my car radio,

                      it was the first time I  had realized the meaning of these lyrics.  Indigo,

                      at my request, located the CD...Autumn Leaves, the only vocal on it.

“Words of Wisdom”

Against a backdrop of silhouetted trees  in  the evening sky,

and as the sun casts glorious orange and mauve hues

into the fast approaching  midnight blue,

Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote:

THERE IS HARMONY IN AUTUMN

AND A LUSTRE IN ITS SKY,

Which through the summer

Is not heard or seen.

To me, the foregoing encourages mankind

that when there is “harmony” that creates “lustre” in our lives,

we should grasp it, and wholly not only  maintain it,

but treasure it…and not for just a season.

Merle Baird-Kerr … written September 24, 2012

Comments Welcome...scroll down (may sign in as “anonymous”)

or e-mail...inezkate@gmail.com