October 2011

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October"
Nathaniel Hawthorn (1804-18864)

Northeastern Region Weather Watch:  Cloudy, warm (1,2,3,4) with showers in the southern part of the region (5,6,7). Fair and warm (8,9,10,11,12,13) with showers and STORMS, mainly in the south (14,15,16). Fair and warm again (17,18,19,20); showers in the north and STORMS in the south (21,22,23). Fair but rather warm temperatures (24,25,26,27 with more showers, again, mainly in the south (28,29). The month ends much cooler with showers in the south and STORMS in the north (30,31).

Full Moon: The Full Moon in October will occur on October 11th at 9:06PM and is the Hunter’s Moon for 2011. The Cree Indian Tribe called it Moon of Falling Leaves because so many trees finally lose the last of their leaves in October. Other tribes referred to it as Yellow Leaf Moon because of bright foliage of the Fall season.

Holidays: Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 10th and United Nations Day is celebrated on Monday, the 24th. Children’s favorite holiday (second only to Christmas!) is Halloween, which falls this year on Monday, October 31st. Plan your little one’s "T or T" activities early and finish by dusk. Have older children carry flashlights and wear reflective clothing or costumes if they plan to be out after dark. And above all, make sure to check all of their "goodies" when they return home.

The Garden: Start raking those leaves now! Shredding leaves, along with lawn clippings, make a fine addition to your compost heap. Mix 1 can of cola (not diet), 1 cup of dish soap, and ¼ cup of ammonia and add to 20-gallon sprayer and fill to top. Saturate the layer of mulch that’s left on top of your vegetable garden’s soil and then say, "Good Night" until the next growing season!

J. Grubers' Thought for Today's Living:

"People who are too quick to criticize are usually the slowest in offering words of praise or paying a compliment"

Index of Past Month's Entries