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Halloween

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It’s Halloween and I’m dressed as…..I don’t even know what. I have struggled for months to decide on a costume and have been unsuccessful. I love Halloween and I feel like a frump. Maybe that’s my costume?

My two kids at home tried to help. #3 brought down a couple of chefs hat, and I thought with my kitchen apron that might work, but the hats were too small – perfect for a toddler head, but not for mine. #2 brought out his Indiana Jones hat. I liked that, but I don’t have a proper jacket. If I’d had time to think I could have worn my khaki shorts and a matching shirt with that hat and been Karen Gillan from Jumanji, but that won’t work. He even brought out his new Starlord helmut, but with my glasses, it would never have been comfortable.

I think I’m dressed as a Canadian. An odd choice. I tried to find a hockey stick, nothing. I have a ROOTS t-shirt with their trademarked beaver and an Elbows Up pin, along with dangly fall leaves earrings that include a maple leaf, pumpkin socks, and my hat.

It will have to do.

(c)2025
(c)2025

I’ll need to start thinking about next Halloween tomorrow. Any suggestions?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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I wanted to begin by acknowledging that I write this (and most of my writing) from the traditional, unceded land of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, primarily the Kanien’keha:ka or Mohawk people.

I have always been a student of history with a deep interest in New York and Native Iroquois since childhood and have a deeper appreciation and understanding through my research for my book about St. Kateri. It is with that basis and love that I share some resources, for reading, for music, for traveling for some of the indigenous spaces in upstate New York and southern Canada.

Haudenosaunee Flag.
(c)2025

Picture heavy below the cut.

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Inspire…October

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Third time’s the charm, right?

I’ve been writing this for about a week now, and social media made me scream.

Then screech.

Then scream again.

I tried to write about the inspiration that was my writing retreat at the end of last month.

I tried to write about our road trip to Ticonderoga to bring our friends to visit the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour.

I tried to write about the hostages being released this weekend (truly, thank G-d; I’m full of gratitude).

I tried to write about my surgical recovery (which is going well).

And all I got out was rants.

Rants about fascism.

Rants about antisemitism.

Rants about mental blocks.

Rants about why do we need to eat dinner EVERY NIGHT?!

Rants. And more rants.

I decided my October inspiration would be some of the photos I have on my phone. I hope they bring you some joy and some inspiration.

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Friday Food – Anniversary Edition

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Our anniversary was played out over a few days of really good food! Here are a few of my favorites!

1. Cranberry Cheddar Chicken with French Fries in Lake George.
2. Dragon ice cream (Mr. & Mrs.) at Baskin’ Robbins.
3. Raspberry Shortcake.
4. Hibachi Japanese.
5. Baskin’ Robbins (31st anniversary).
6. Dole Cherry at (famous) Martha’s Dandee in Lake George.
(c)2025

My kids went on vacation and…

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Does anyone remember those popular souvenir shop t-shirts? My parents went to Florida, South of the Border, Gettysburg, and all I got was this lousy* t-shirt? My husband said no one would remember them, but I remember them. I think we all got one at one point, but they are long in the bin of history.

As I’ve written last week, I had to have surgery on my achilles tendon, so our vacation was cancelled; however, we sent our kids for half of the vacation since there was a “comic” convention, Fan Expo Canada. The three of them had never gone away alone together, and they all came back in one piece, and hopefully with stronger relationships than when they left. I had concerns about crossing the border, but I grew up going to Canada all my life, and I feel that they are an extension of New York and vice versa.

I thought for this month’s inspiration, I would share a few collages of some of the things my kids brought back for me. Some were requested (the clothes and stationery items) and others were surprises, especially Niagara Falls. (*Nothing in here represents anything lousy!)

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Inspired, and More

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The last few weeks have been nothing short of active, and I hope I’ve gotten through it with less scathing than would be normal for this kind of busyness. This post will be part mental health check-in, part inspired, part goal-setting.

Mental Health Check-in for Week 3 of July

I went back to my original post to see what the goals were that I thought I needed to focus on, and this was less than helpful. Goals and goalposts are constantly being adjusted. Looking at the biggest priorities, it’s still been iffy. Although to be fair to myself, I’ve been busy and not wasting time and opportunities, so while it’s been slow-going, it has still been going.

This is very much a positive.

Where are we this week?

  1. I was working on my presentation until about 7pm the night before. I realized there comes a point when it just needs to be done. I laid everything out on index cards, and did my thing. It was fantastic. I think everyone liked it and learned something new about St. Kateri Tekakwitha. I was able to constructively see things that I would change. I did a little improvisation and even though I finished later than planned, I was able to end on a decent note, and skipped a few slides at the end, and no one was the wiser. All in all, a good experience. I’m willing to do another powerpoint, although I’m hoping someone else presents it.
  2. Work. July 8th, I began working full-time. I haven’t worked full-time (outside the house) since my now-twenty-eight year old was two. It is a big adjustment for everyone, but my family is being supportive and picking up some tasks, and my co-workers and colleagues are amazing.
  3. Cursillo needs attention.
  4. I mentioned that I was going to avoid snoozing my alarms. I’ve still snoozed, but not as much and it’s made me more aware of what I need to do in the mornings to get out the door more efficiently.
  5. I’m disappointed in how our government is being run. I’m disgusted and repulsed by the Republican party, their hypocrisy, and their hatred. I don’t know how we come back from this precipice or how we survive.

Mental health check-in = EH.

And now for some inspiration!

I’m looking forward to taking my presentation and using it to push my book in the right direction. Below the cut are some of my inspiring and inspired photos from St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s feast day weekend.

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