Monday Musings

On October 31, the US celebrates Halloween. Various opinions exist regarding the holiday’s origin. Some say Halloween came from the pagan Gaelic festival Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of the darker half of the year, winter. It was believed to be a liminal time when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld thinned, when the Aos Si, ‘spirits’ were active and could enter this world. It was also felt that the souls of the dead returned home. People left offerings of food and drink to appease the otherworldly visitors. Bonfires were lit for protection and to provide cleansing powers. The word ‘Halloween’ arises from ‘All Hallows’ Eve,’ the evening before All Saints Day. It was a time for Christians to honor saints and martyrs and to pray for departed souls. In addition to the Church rites, people would go ‘souling,’ walking door-to-door collecting ‘soul cakes’ in exchange for prayers for the dead. Instead of the modern pumpkin vehicles, ‘soulers

This weekend we had the opportunity to enjoy  Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience . It was like stepping into a painting: as you enter sunflowers swirl around you in a dizzying fashion. Subsequent rooms display copies of the artist’s work interspersed with fact boards that discuss Van Gogh’s brief tortured life, his relationship with other artists, and his brother, Theo. Music plays in the background, and a disembodied voice speaks quotes attributed to Van Gogh. A small side room holds a flower vase. Sit for a moment and watch as bright colors bloom into irises and go on to morph into sunflowers and roses. Emerge from this dark space and progress into another alcove to learn more about his art through film and spoken word. Next, walk into a 3-D representation of his Bedroom in Arles, France, or cross this room to enter the Asylum where he battled his schizophrenic demons after cutting off his ear. The piece de resistance is the final exhibit. Settle into a reclining lounge chair in The

For over 60 years, I have worn glasses, a four-eyed creature. Gradually, with age, my eyesight diminished. Over the past few weeks, my outlook has changed, figuratively and physically, with cataract surgery. Not only were my cloudy native lenses removed by laser technology, but they were replaced with advanced multifocal lenses that allow clear focus on near, intermediate, and distant objects. And what a difference this made! I now have high-definition, full-color-spectrum vision. It was the perfect time of year to undergo this metamorphosis. Autumn in the Appalachian mountains is always breathtaking, but this fall is awash with clarity and colors unlike what I have experienced in recent memory. I am blessed to behold the transformation. Take time to witness your surroundings and rejoice! You can follow the Author at her updated  Website  or on  Twitter .

No Monday Musings blog today. There will be a brief hiatus for postoperative recovery from step two: cataract surgery on my left eye. Next week regularly scheduled programming will resume. I appreciate your patience. You can follow the Author on her newly updated  Website  or on  Twitter .

  Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in the US and across the world. In 1978, the  National Coalition Against Domestic Violence  (NCADV) was established to give voice to both the victims and the survivors. Later, in 1987, the month of October became a time of national recognition. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), major legislation taking aim to help protect and serve victims, became law in 1994. It has been updated and reauthorized frequently, most recently on March 15, 2022. Intimate partner violence is not just physical abuse, it can encompass every facet of a victim’s life. It is total power and control. Many organizations have developed information on how you can recognize and help prevent domestic violence. This  fact sheet from the CDC  provides a wealth of knowledge. If you are personally a victim of intimate partner violence, reach out-get help! The author is a survivor of child abuse, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence. Her second book of poetry,  Family T