We hope you enjoyed the September 2026 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. Many thanks to Orlando Bartro, Sheila Kirk, and Tony Valerino for their contributions to the magazine.
We’re celebrating 250 years of this experiment in democracy. How are you feeling about the future? With the cost of almost everything continuing to go up; remember, we are a free publication.
October in This Awful Awesome Life has always been our month to highlight breast cancer awareness. Three years ago, we made the decision to expand our coverage to include other health issues women are facing. Do you know the latest statistics for heart disease, lung cancer, or colon cancer for women? These health issues were usually associated with men, so much of the research has been focused on men, but the numbers don’t lie. Ladies, we are at risk, and we deserve to make sure we’re being screened/tested, correctly diagnosed, and included in clinical trials.
This month we have articles about Hispanic Heritage Month and Indigenous People’s Day which many Americans are celebrating instead of Columbus Day.
Sheila Kirk spills the tea about body image after childbirth, and menopause.
Quizzes are a fun and easy way to dust off those mental cobwebs and test our cognitive abilities. In honor of Halloween, this month’s quiz tests your knowledge of scary folklore.
Author and history blogger Tony Valerino explores the life of Václav Haval.
Orlando Bartro discusses “go” and “went.”
My poem this month is about promises and platitudes. My short story for Halloween is PG-13, so considered yourselves warned.
This month I reviewed Always be My Pumpkin By Linda McEvoy. This light-hearted fall romance about second chances is an October 2026 release, so no spoilers.
For our column, “Happy Birthday,” celebrating the birthdays of famous writers, I selected Pulitzer Prize winning author Anne Tyler. Known for her well-developed characters and attention to detail, Tyler is considered one of the greatest writers of her generation.
For October 2026 in “The Twelve Months of Grain,” I’m featuring spelt. Spelt is an ancient hulled species of wheat that’s high in nutrition with a slightly sweet nutty flavor. Spelt is rich in dietary fiber, iron, protein, B vitamins, magnesium, and phosphorus. I found a great recipe for Spelt Lentil Soup.
For our adult reading recommendations, I chose books perfect for fall.
Our reading recommendations for kids and young adults feature an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction to help your kids unplug and fall back in love with reading.
We’re constantly updating our Author Page to include the latest published works of your new favorite authors, and we’re adding authors. Being able to give authors a free place to display their work is a dream come true for me, so please check every month to see who’s new and what’s new. Because of changes made by Squarespace upcoming Author Pages may be slightly different.
Don’t miss our new Artist Page where we will be celebrating creatives and providing their contact information. We will be updating and adding to the list during this month and the following months, so keep checking our new page.
The sixth installment in the Tweet Hearts Series, Twitter Passion: A Gen X, medical romance by Em S. A’cor is now available on amazon.com. As the people in their lives all seem to be moving on to new locations and new challenges, Greg faces career obstacles and Marisol receives a surprise medical diagnosis. Without their support system, will these events derail their midlife relationship or bring them closer? Order soon to take advantage of special e-book prices before they expire.
Everything in Between is available as an audiobook, eBook, and in hardcover or paperback. Narrator Louise Porter does a wonderful job bringing Sabrina and her story to life. I can’t wait for you to have a listen. Purchase the audiobook for Everything in Between on Amazon, iTunes, or Audible. I’m incredibly proud of this novel. If you enjoy my writing, please check it out. Independent authors can’t afford splashy book launches and expensive PR campaigns to make the public aware of their work. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Adults can and should be able to disagree without threats, name calling, spreading misinformation, or lying. Can the leaders you support do this?
Now more than ever, I encourage you to watch C-SPAN and get to know the members of Congress, the members of the president’s cabinet, and the leading experts who testify at Congressional hearings. Listen to what they are saying and what they refuse to say aloud. Do they care about the Constitution and the people of this country?
In 2025 and 2026, we have struggled with maintaining the checks and balances between the three branches of our federal government. The fight continues as we head to the midterm elections. November is coming soon; be informed and vote accordingly!
Article 1 of the U.S. constitution gives states the responsibility of overseeing federal elections. Constitutional amendments and federal laws have been added to protect voting rights. They must be used to expand voting rights not cherry pick who is allowed to vote based on how likely they are to vote for one party over another.
Which political leaders disregard/ignore the powers of Congress and the authority of the federal courts? Who can we elect who will protect and support the Constitution of the United States? Do your homework before the midterms. Our future depends on choosing the best leaders at all levels of government.
After the mid-terms, pay attention and insist that our elected officials make good on their campaign promises. Hold them accountable!
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Happy Reading,
Fran
