WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT/INSPIRATION

THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONG HOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE; AND HE KNOWETH THEM THAT TRUST IN HIM. ~NAHUM 1:7 (KJV)

TIDBITS OF HISTORY

OCTOBER 1, 1847 — THE DAY TOMATOES PROVED EVERYONE WRONG:

A CROWD GATHERED IN NEW JERSEY TO WATCH A MAN EAT A BASKET OF TOMATOES, BELIEVED AT THE TIME TO BE DEADLY POISONOUS. WHEN HE SURVIVED (AND ENJOYED THEM), IT HELPED END THE MYTH THAT TOMATOES WERE TOXIC.

OCTOBER 3, 1849 — EDGAR ALLAN POE WAS FOUND IN STRANGE CONDITION:

POE WAS DISCOVERED IN BALTIMORE WEARING SOMEONE ELSE’S CLOTHES AND IN A STATE OF CONFUSION. TO THIS DAY, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM IN THE DAYS BEFORE HIS DEATH — ONE OF LITERATURE’S MOST PECULIAR MYSTERIES.

OCTOBER 6, 1889 — THE INVENTION OF THE AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER WAS A REVENGE PROJECT:

JOSEPHINE COCHRANE CREATED THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL DISHWASHER BECAUSE SHE WAS TIRED OF SERVANTS CHIPPING HER FINE CHINA. HER MACHINE BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF MODERN DISHWASHERS.

OCTOBER 8, 1958 — THE FIRST IMPLANTABLE PACEMAKER WAS TESTED… AND FAILED WITHIN HOURS:

THE WORLD’S FIRST FULLY IMPLANTABLE PACEMAKER WAS PLACED IN A PATIENT IN SWEDEN. IT STOPPED WORKING AFTER JUST A FEW HOURS — BUT THE NEXT VERSION SAVED HIS LIFE, AND HE WENT ON TO RECEIVE 26 PACEMAKERS OVER DECADES.

OCTOBER 9, 1888 — THE PUBLIC ENTERS THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME:

AFTER YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION DELAYS, FUNDING ISSUES, AND A 20 YEAR HALT, THE MONUMENT FINALLY OPENED TO VISITORS — MANY WERE SHOCKED TO LEARN THE MARBLE CHANGES COLOR MIDWAY UP BECAUSE OF THE LONG PAUSE IN BUILDING.

OCTOBER 11, 1984 — THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN WALKS IN SPACE:

ASTRONAUT KATHRYN SULLIVAN MADE HISTORY DURING A CHALLENGER MISSION. MANY DON’T KNOW SHE LATER BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO REACH THE DEEPEST POINT OF THE OCEAN, TOO — MAKING HER THE ONLY PERSON TO DO BOTH.

OCTOBER 13, 1950 — A FLOCK OF BIRDS CAUSED A MAJOR BASEBALL DELAY:

DURING A WORLD SERIES GAME, THOUSANDS OF BIRDS SWARMED YANKEE STADIUM AND REFUSED TO LEAVE THE FIELD. PLAYERS HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE BIRDS FINALLY MOVED ON — ONE OF THE STRANGEST GAME INTERRUPTIONS IN MLB HISTORY.

OCTOBER 16, 1923 — DISNEY BEGAN IN A GARAGE WITH A $40 CAMERA:

WALT AND ROY DISNEY OFFICIALLY FOUNDED THEIR STUDIO — BUT FEW KNOW THEY STARTED IN THEIR UNCLE’S GARAGE USING A SINGLE SECOND HAND CAMERA AND A MAKESHIFT ANIMATION TABLE BUILT FROM SCRAP WOOD.

OCTOBER 19, 1935 — THE FIRST PARKING METER PROTOTYPE WAS MADE FROM A COFFEE CAN:

THE INVENTOR, CARL MAGEE, BUILT HIS FIRST WORKING MODEL USING A COFFEE CAN, CLOCK PARTS, AND SCRAP METAL. IT WAS SO ODD LOOKING THAT CITY OFFICIALS THOUGHT IT WAS A PRANK UNTIL HE DEMONSTRATED IT.

OCTOBER 20, 1944 — A TORNADO HIT A BATTLEFIELD AND CHANGED THE FIGHT:

DURING WORLD WAR II IN GERMANY, A RARE TORNADO SWEPT THROUGH AN ACTIVE BATTLE ZONE, SCATTERING EQUIPMENT AND FORCING BOTH SIDES TO HALT. SOLDIERS REPORTED IT AS ONE OF THE MOST UNBELIEVABLE MOMENTS OF THE WAR.

OCTOBER 24, 1901 — A SCHOOLTEACHER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO GO OVER NIAGARA FALLS:

ANNIE EDISON TAYLOR SURVIVED THE PLUNGE IN A BARREL SHE DESIGNED HERSELF. SHE CHOSE THE DATE BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED IT WAS “LUCKY,” AND SHE TOOK HER CAT WITH HER FOR THE TEST RUN THE DAY BEFORE — THE CAT SURVIVED TOO.

OCTOBER 27, 1904 — NEW YORK’S FIRST SUBWAY RIDE COST A NICKEL:

THE INAUGURAL TRAIN RAN FROM CITY HALL TO HARLEM. MANY PASSENGERS REPORTED FEELING “DIZZY” BECAUSE THEY HAD NEVER TRAVELED UNDERGROUND AT HIGH SPEED BEFORE — 35 MPH WAS CONSIDERED WILDLY FAST.

OCTOBER 29, 1929 — THE GREAT DEPRESSION BEGAN WITH A STRANGE SILENCE:

ON “BLACK TUESDAY,” TRADERS REPORTED THAT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WAS SO QUIET AT OPENING THAT YOU COULD HEAR PEOPLE BREATHING. THE PANIC DIDN’T START UNTIL MINUTES LATER — THEN CHAOS ERUPTED.

OCTOBER 31, 1941 — MOUNT RUSHMORE WAS DECLARED “FINISHED”… EVEN THOUGH IT WASN’T:

THE PROJECT WAS OFFICIALLY COMPLETED ON THIS DATE, BUT THE ORIGINAL PLAN INCLUDED FULL BODIES DOWN TO THE WAIST. FUNDING RAN OUT, SO THE MONUMENT WAS DECLARED DONE EVEN THOUGH ONLY THE HEADS WERE COMPLETED.

NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL OR WORLD DAYS

OCTOBER 1 — BRING YOUR BIBLE TO SCHOOL DAY:

A NATIONAL DAY ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO CELEBRATE THEIR FAITH BY BRINGING THEIR BIBLE TO SCHOOL AND SHARING KINDNESS, HOPE, AND POSITIVITY WITH OTHERS.

OCTOBER 2 — NATIONAL CUSTODIAL WORKER’S RECOGNITION DAY:

A DAY HONORING THE HARDWORKING PEOPLE WHO KEEP SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND PUBLIC SPACES CLEAN, SAFE, AND RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

OCTOBER 13 — INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION:

A UNITED NATIONS DAY FOCUSED ON PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS, AND SAFETY, REMINDING COMMUNITIES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO REDUCE RISK AND SAVE LIVES.

OCTOBER 20 — INTERNATIONAL CHEFS DAY:

A DAY CELEBRATING CHEFS AROUND THE WORLD AND PROMOTING HEALTHY COOKING, CREATIVITY, AND THE JOY OF SHARING GOOD FOOD.

OCTOBER 28 — NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY:

CELEBRATES FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE, PARAMEDICS, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RISK THEIR LIVES TO KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE.

MEMBERS' SPOTLIGHT

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

JONIES54 - 10TH

DEPAHLDEN - 13TH

*IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BIRTHDAY ADDED TO THE HOMEPAGE LEAVE YOUR MONTH & DAY OF BIRTH IN THE LEAGUE CHAT BOX OR MESSAGE JULIE VIA POGO MAIL, EMAIL OR TRILLIAN MESSENGER.

WAY TO GO SEPTEMBER TOC WINNER!

JENNQUEEN

NICE GOING ON 2ND PLACE!

SHEY0270

CONGRATS TO THE CONTEST DRAWING WINNERS FOR SEPTEMBER!

1ST PLACE: CRAZYNTHE70S - 25 GEMS

2ND PLACE: SLUGGS19 - 20 GEMS

3RD PLACE: SHEY0270 - 15 GEMS

4TH PLACE: ZIPPEE124 - 10 GEMS

5TH PLACE: KERMITTHEFROG99 - 5 GEMS

WAY TO GO FOR COLLECTING ALL OF THE ITEMS

IN SEPTEMBER & WINNING 3 GEMS EACH!

BARBARALYN5, BREND105, CATSRFUN5488, CRAZYDARYL, DONNAFROMCINCY, GRANDMAX6X3X, HAPPYLADY07P, JAMMINS, JENNQUEEN, JULLOVESJESUS, MASSKELLIE04, RABBITNO44, SEY12, SLMULLANEY, STEVESAM37 & SWEETROSE25041A

DID YOU KNOW?

THE TALLEST WAVE EVER RECORDED WAS 1,720 FEET TALL — CAUSED BY A LANDSLIDE IN ALASKA IN 1958.

A BIT OF HUMOR

I DON’T ARGUE — I JUST PASSIONATELY REARRANGE THE FACTS.

I DON’T PROCRASTINATE — I PRIORITIZE THINGS IN THE ORDER THAT ANNOYS ME LEAST.

I’M NOT SAYING I’M CONFUSED… BUT I JUST AGREED WITH SOMEONE BEFORE I KNEW WHAT THEY SAID.

“I’M TRYING TO BE MORE SOCIAL.”

“HOW’S THAT GOING?”

“I WAVED AT MY NEIGHBOR. THAT’S ENOUGH FOR THIS YEAR.”

I TRIED TO WRITE A SONG ABOUT A TORTILLA.

BUT IT TURNED INTO A WRAP.

RIDDLE

I ARRIVE BEFORE EVIDENCE, YET I JUDGE WHAT'S TRUE. I CAN CLOSE A SHARP MIND LIKE A LOCKED DOOR AND STILL FEEL “RIGHT” TO YOU. I CAN TURN STRANGERS INTO VILLAINS, AND HEROES INTO FOOLS WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING A SINGLE FACT OR BREAKING ANY RULES. I LIVE QUIETLY IN YOUR THINKING, UNINVITED, OUT OF VIEW. YOU DON’T KNOW I’M THERE UNTIL I'M GONE — AND THEN THE WORLD LOOKS NEW.

WHAT AM I?

(ANSWER AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER)

🍂FEATURED POEM🍂

"AUTUMN'S INNOCENCE"

CRUNCHING LEAVES GUIDE CHILDREN’S FEET

AS ADULTS STROLL DOWN THE FARM WORN STREET.

CROWS SWIRL ABOVE THE CORNFIELD’S GLOW,

GUARDING THE QUIET, WATCHFUL SCARECROW.

PUMPKINS REST IN AUTUMN’S LIGHT,

BRIGHT COLORS TURNING DAY TO NIGHT—

A SOFT WIND WEAVES THROUGH FIELDS OF GOLD,

CARRYING STORIES THE SEASON TOLD;

AND GIGGLES DRIFT WHERE FOOTSTEPS FALL,

A WHISPERED CHARM THAT TOUCHES ALL.

AND EVERY STEP, BOTH SMALL AND TALL,

FEELS TOUCHED BY OCTOBER’S GENTLE CALL.

~ COPILOT & jewels

🍂FEATURED RECIPE🍂

AUTUMN SAUSAGE & BUTTERNUT SQUASH SKILLET

INGREDIENTS:

1 LB SMOKED SAUSAGE OR KIELBASA, SLICED

2 C BUTTERNUT SQUASH, DICED

1 ONION, SLICED

1 TBSP BUTTER

1 TBSP OLIVE OIL

1 TSP DRIED THYME

1 TSP DIJON MUSTARD

1 TBSP MAPLE SYRUP

SALT & PEPPER TO TASTE

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. HEAT BUTTER AND OLIVE OIL IN A SKILLET OVER MEDIUM HEAT.

2. ADD SAUSAGE AND BROWN LIGHTLY.

3. STIR IN ONION AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH; COOK UNTIL SOFT AND FRAGRANT.

4. ADD THYME, DIJON, MAPLE SYRUP, SALT, AND PEPPER.

5. SIMMER 5 MINUTES UNTIL EVERYTHING IS GLAZED AND GOLDEN.

6. SERVE OVER MASHED POTATOES, NOODLES OR WITH YOUR FAVE BREAD.

🍂FEATURED DESSERT RECIPE🍂

NUTMEG ROASTED PEARS — NO SUGAR ADDED

INGREDIENTS:

2 RIPE PEARS, SLICED

1/2 TSP NUTMEG

1 TSP VANILLA

1 TBSP BUTTER (CAN SUB WITH OLIVE, CANOLA OR AVOCADO OIL)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375°F.

2. PLACE PEAR SLICES IN A SMALL BAKING DISH.

3. SPRINKLE WITH NUTMEG AND DRIZZLE VANILLA OVER TOP.

4. DOT WITH BUTTER OR OIL.

5. BAKE 12–15 MINUTES, UNTIL SOFT AND FRAGRANT.

6. SERVE WARM — GREAT ON ITS OWN OR WITH UNSWEETENED GREEK YOGURT.

ANSWER TO THE RIDDLE

AN ASSUMPTION

IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE

ADDED TO NOVEMBER'S NEWSLETTER, MESSAGE

JULIE VIA EMAIL/TRILLIAN OR POGO MESSAGE

GRANNY, DONNA OR SLM BY OCTOBER 25TH.

MAY EACH OF YOU BE FILLED WITH GOD’S

SPIRIT AND MAY EACH GOLDEN DAY BRING

YOU GREAT JOY AS HIS HAND LEADS YOU

THROUGH THE SOFT WONDERS OF AUTUMN

WHERE FALLING LEAVES SEEM TO CRADLE

YOU WITH WARMTH AND HOPE SO THAT

AFTER EACH DAY ENDS, YOU SLUMBER

PEACEFULLY UNDER GOD’S LOVING CARE...

GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS!

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A Newsletter Design by: RoRo Beltz

Edited By: jewels @ MyLeague: Grannys Angels