Monday, September 30, 2024

Through the Keyhole - October 2024

 

Through the Keyhole

October 2024

Take a break from your day...

Not your typical company OR newsletter

 

 

 

 

"A stunning Greek island known for its whitewashed buildings, vibrant nightlife, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque beaches, offering a perfect blend of cosmopolitan energy and traditional charm."

Can you guess the location?

 

 

October Vibes...

 

October is like a breath of fresh, crisp air after summer's heat. It’s that perfect time of year when the leaves start to change, the air feels cooler, and all the cozy things we love about fall make their comeback. From rocking flannel shirts to sipping a cold beer around a campfire with pals, October just has a special kind of magic.

 

October nails the weather sweet spot—cool enough for sweaters, but not too cold to enjoy being outside. Mornings are chilly, afternoons are bright, and evenings practically beg for a bonfire or some hot cider. The trees put on a show, turning all shades of red, orange, and yellow, making even a simple walk feel like you’re in a postcard. It’s also the best time for outdoor adventures, whether you're hitting up a pumpkin patch, hiking, or just soaking in the fall vibes in your backyard.

 

Let’s be real—October is basically pumpkin spice season. Everywhere you go, there’s a pumpkin-spiced something, from lattes and cold brews to pumpkin-flavored teas. There’s something about those warm, spicy flavors that just scream fall. They remind you of fresh-baked pies, cool days, and that cozy feeling you only get this time of year.  The drinks are highly caloric and pricey but people love em.

 

Flannel is the ultimate fall wardrobe staple. It’s soft, cozy, and somehow perfectly captures the laid-back vibe of the season. Throw it on over a t-shirt during the day or button it up when the temperature dips at night, and you're all set. Plus, the classic flannel patterns—deep reds, greens, and browns—fit right in with the changing leaves.

Breaking out your favorite flannel is like the official start of fall. It’s more than just a piece of clothing; it’s the go-to fall uniform for everything from hanging out at home to hitting up the local farmers' market.  But you can always just wear a hoodie and some shorts...

 

Of course, the highlight of October has to be Halloween. As the month goes on, you start to see carved pumpkins popping up on porches, decorations getting spookier, and costume ideas coming together. Some people love decking out their houses with creepy lights and cobwebs, while others are all about planning the perfect costume. And, let’s not forget the candy—whether you’re trick-or-treating or sneaking a few pieces from the candy bowl at home, it’s a sweet part of the season.  Some might say we go too far decorating for Halloween...  perhaps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make up your mind, Mother Nature...

October is that awkward time of year when Mother Nature can’t decide if she wants to give you a sunny day or slap you in the face with a freezing gust of wind. One minute, you're outside enjoying a beautiful fall walk, and the next, you’re frantically trying to remember where you put your gloves, beanie, and sense of dignity. It’s the only month where you see people wearing shorts and flip-flops walking right next to others bundled up in scarves and puffer jackets — and somehow, they’re both perfectly dressed for the day!

 

Plus, October is also when people collectively agree it’s completely normal to turn their homes into haunted houses and decorate with skeletons, witches, and fake spider webs. Imagine trying to explain that to someone from another planet: “Oh, yes, this is the month where we pretend to be thrilled about ghosts, give candy to strangers, and pay good money to be chased by people in masks wielding fake chainsaws. Totally normal.” 😅 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 month calendar explained ~ 2 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use some Windows shortcuts...from your techies.

 

 

 

 

Guess the Location Game

Last month the winner of the guess the location game was
Jeff Johnson who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWER: Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Hosting 2 million visitors each year, this canyon laiden park can be visited any time of year even though it gets cold.  You can stay at the lodge if you like but this place is for hiking and exploring.  And it might be closer than you think."

 

Starved Rock State Park, located near Utica along the Illinois River, is one of the coolest spots in Illinois for nature lovers and weekend adventurers. Covering over 2,600 acres, it's famous for its stunning sandstone canyons, scenic waterfalls, and an interesting backstory that gives the park its unique name.

 

The park is home to 18 canyons that were formed thousands of years ago by glaciers, and today, they’re perfect for hiking and exploring. After a good rain, you’ll find some pretty amazing waterfalls in spots like St. Louis, French, and LaSalle Canyons. With over 13 miles of trails, you can take your pick from easy walks to more rugged hikes, all offering gorgeous views of the river, cliffs, and thick forests full of wildlife.

 

Starved Rock gets its name from a Native American legend. The story goes that a group of Illinois Indians were trapped on one of the high rock formations by rival tribes. With no food or water, they eventually starved, and that’s how the park got its haunting name. Besides that, the area has a lot of history with French explorers and fur traders passing through back in the day.

 

There’s more to Starved Rock than just hiking. If you’re into birdwatching, especially in winter, you can spot bald eagles nesting along the river. Fishing, camping, and picnicking are also popular activities. And if you visit in the winter, the frozen waterfalls turn the park into a winter wonderland, perfect for ice climbing or snowshoeing.

 

Just a couple hours from Chicago, Starved Rock makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. The historic Starved Rock Lodge, built back in the 1930s, has cozy cabins, a restaurant, and a visitor center where you can learn more about the park’s history and wildlife.

 

Whether you’re looking for a fun hike, a little history, or just a relaxing escape into nature, Starved Rock State Park has a little something for everyone. It’s the kind of place that leaves you feeling recharged and ready for your next adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  ~ 3 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Stay at the Lodge ~ 3 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice little video here ~ 3 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

Well this is Random...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYC -One World Observatory

 

 

 

 

 

~ 4 minutes

 

 

 

Motorcycle Chariot Racing...

 

 

 

 

 

 Different than MOM time... ~ 3 minutes

 

 

 

A New Way to Watch Things...AMAZING CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE

 

 

 

 

 

  ~ 2 minutes

 

 

 

Pulled over for SPEEDING.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A senior citizen drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he floored it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little gray hair he had left. Amazing, he thought as he flew down I-94, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a state trooper behind him, lights flashing and siren blaring.

 

He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120. Suddenly he thought, What am I doing? I'm too old for this, and pulled over to await the trooper's arrival.

 

Pulling in behind him, the trooper walked up to the Corvette, looked at his watch, and said, "Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a reason for speeding that I've never heard before, I'll let you go."

 

The old gentleman paused. Then he said, "Years ago, my wife ran off with a state trooper. I thought you were bringing her back."

 

"Have a good day, sir," replied the trooper 😁😁

 

 

 

 

Interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crewing a Yacht

 

 

 

 

 

It's a lot of work. ~4 minutes

 

 

 

Edgy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Edgy Stuff...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pierogi Casserole

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

·     2 (16 ounce) packages frozen potato and cheese pierogies (but you can use whatever you like - I personally like the Alexandras brand and the mushroom/sauerkraut)

·     1 lb smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

·     1 large onion, diced

·     4 oz cream cheese, softened

·     1⁄2 cup sour cream

·     1⁄2 cup chicken broth

·     1⁄2 tsp black pepper

·     3 green onions, sliced

·     2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. 

Spread the frozen pierogies evenly in the prepared baking dish. 

Scatter the sliced kielbasa sausage over the pierogies. 

In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Spread the onions over the pierogies and sausage. 

In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, black pepper, and half of the sliced green onions until smooth. Pour the sauce evenly over the casserole. 

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. 

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned and the casserole is bubbling. 

Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 

Garnish with the remaining sliced green onions and serve hot.

 

 

 

 

 


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