26 in 26: October

[Note: I’m doing a 26-word post on the first day of each month of 2026. It’s an exercise in concision and precision, which every writer should attempt now and then.  Also Note: This explanation is separate from the 26-word count.]

Out come the seasonal decorations: pumpkins, black cats, ghosts, and all the spooky images. I see nothing scary because cooler weather is here. Bring it on!

Feed Yourself: get ready for spooky movies

[Enjoy this guest post from Mrs. Swanky]

Ready for some spooky movies? Of course you are — it’s almost October!

In no particular order, mostly because the order changes with my mood, these are my top seven spooky/scary/Halloween movies:

1. Scream

2. The Craft

3. Hocus Pocus

4. Practical Magic

5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

6. Trick r’ Treat

7. Beetlejuice Why seven? Well, I tried to mention just the Top Three or Fab Five, but there was no way to narrow it down. There are just too many good ones.

(p.s. As promised, here’s the finished painting that I mentioned in a previous post — against a backdrop of one of my favorite Halloween movies.)

* Obligatory disclaimer: We are not paid to promote these items. We just happen to like them.

Our guest blogger,
Mrs. Swanky, posts
on ways to Feed Yourself
— in body, mind, and spirit.

Feed Your Mind: do some seasonal crafts

[Enjoy this guest post from Mrs. Swanky]

It is now officially Autumn, and you know what that means.

Cozy scarves. Pumpkins. Leaves changing. Gathering your sisters under the full moon.

Haha, just kidding about that last one.

What I meant was: Painting you and your sisters gathering under the moon — whether the moon is full or half or new. Or even a Carolina moon, like it is in the photo.

The point is that a season change is a great time to tap into your creative side and make something awesome!

(p.s. I’ll show you the completed painting in a future post.)

* Obligatory disclaimer: We are not paid to promote these items. We just happen to like them.

Our guest blogger,
Mrs. Swanky, posts
on ways to Feed Yourself
— in body, mind, and spirit.

Swanky info about pasta

Do you love pasta? Of course you do. Who doesn’t?

But how much do you know about pasta? (Not that you need to know anything about pasta to love it.) Maybe you know some stuff, but I’m guessing you don’t know as much as Chef Swanky. And he’s here to share his swanky knowledge.

Check out his latest FYI video:

Got a question for the great Chef? Drop us a comment below, and we’ll pester Chef Swanky to impart some more wisdom.

Follow Chef Swanky here and on Instagram at chefswankyhw.

Feed Your Soul: take a break

[Enjoy this guest post from Mrs. Swanky]

My four-year-old is upset today that his big sister’s boyfriend wanted to sit down for a few minutes … after he had been playing and running in the house for 45 minutes.

I said, “Hey, sometimes big kids need to take a break.”

Four-year-old said, “But he’s not a big kid, he’s a dolt!” (He wasn’t insulting him. That’s four-year-old speak for “adult.”)

And you know what? He’s right. Big sister’s boyfriend is an adult, and sometimes the grownups need to take a little break. Have a sit. Meditate. 

Even as few as five minutes of meditation can help calm your system and settle nerves.

I like to light incense at the end of the day and “have a sit” after all the kids are in bed and the house is quiet.

It’s relaxing to know we made it through another day.

* Obligatory disclaimer: We are not paid to promote these items. We just happen to like them.

Our guest blogger,
Mrs. Swanky, posts
on ways to Feed Yourself
— in body, mind, and spirit.