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." 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
