Kim McMahill

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”  - Eleanor Roosevelt -

The fall or autumnal equinox occurs on September 22 this year. The fall equinox is the astronomical start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the day when the Earth’s two hemispheres receive nearly equal amounts of sun. Daylight and darkness won’t be exactly equal on this day, but close, so enjoy the sun and the colors while you can.

The next to last entrance fee-free days into our National Parks in 2018 is September 22 (National Public Lands Day). The last one for the year will be November 11 (Veterans Day). Mark you calendar and be sure to visit your favorite National Park for free this weekend. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

What if today was "lights out?" If you knew this was your last day to live, what would you do? Would you face the end with a clear conscience? Would you fight for one more day? Look for that person you wronged and make it right? Run away? Turn and fight? What would you do? In Lights Out by Kayelle Allen, the hero knows his end is near. Instead of running, Tornahdo makes a choice. He will face death with a clear conscience and the knowledge that his death will serve mankind. He will join... GHOST CORPS He can save mankind. After he does one important thing. Die. Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die. When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on Enderium Six. He's facing his most dangerous mission

I’m always stunned by the resilience of zucchini. About four weeks ago my garden got absolutely destroyed by hail. I was certain it was done for the season, but I didn’t pull much in hopes there was a spark of life left in those shredded vines and stems. Most succumbed to the beating, but not the zucchini. It’s back against the odds and we’ll get to enjoy the bounty again until the first frost. Zucchini after August hail Zucchini in early September

Sometimes zoos get a bad rap, and some are definitely better than others. My favorites are in Omaha, San Diego, and Palm Desert. No matter how a person feels about the overall concept, there is no denying their efforts to prevent species extinction, but most important their role in education. Most of the species we get to see at a zoo are from areas we’ll never get to visit. Ideally, we’d all get to see a giraffe or lion in the wild, but in reality, few of us will. Zoos provide a connection to animals, whether local or exotic, and hopefully foster an appreciation for wildlife and a desire to protect it.

“What is adventure? If a lone wolf lifts his plaintive call into the moonlight near your campsite, you might call that adventure. While you’re sweating like a horse on a climb over a 12,000 foot pass, that could be adventure. When howling head winds press your lips against your teeth, you face a mighty struggle. When your pack grows heavy on your shoulders as your climb a 14,000 foot peak, you feel the adventure. When you suffer freezing temperatures and 20 inches of fresh powder on a hut to hut trip in the Rockies, that could be called adventure. But that’s not what makes an adventure. It’s your willingness to conquer it, and to present yourself at the doorstep of nature. That creates the experience. No more greater joy can come from life than to live inside a moment of adventure. It is the uncommon wilderness experience that gives your life expectation.” - Frosty Wooldridge, Golden, Colorado. 

National Read A Book Day is observed each year on September 6th. Grab a book and enjoy a day with some inexpensive entertainment or educational enrichment. No matter what your interest may be, there is a book for you. If you like action and adventure spiced with a little clean romance, I’ve got a number to choose from. You can even get a kindle du0, which gives you two ebooks for the price of one. Click here to be taken directly to Amazon.

September has a number of important days of note. Here are a few to recognize and remember. 9/2 – VJ Day, World War II 9/3 – Labor Day 9/9 – Grandparents Day 9/11 – 9/11 Remembrance 9/17 – Constitution Day 9/18 – Yom Kippur 9/21 – International Peace Day 9/23 – Autumn Equinox 9/28 – Native American Day Ground Zero, New York City