We hope you enjoyed the October 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.
In recent years, November in This Awful Awesome Life has become the time we discuss Men’s Health and highlight this wonder event known as Movember. Movember has grown from a local event among friends in Australia to garner awareness about prostate cancer to a worldwide event promoting men’s healthcare.
This month “Dare to Believe” is back featuring two exceptional Native Americans, Zitkala-Ša and Chief Joseph.
Why vote? The midterm elections are here, and we need every eligible American to participate in this election. Don’t sit this one out and then complain about who is representing your interests for the next 2-6 years. Can we afford more of the same?
Sheila Kirk relives a Thanksgiving fiasco.
Quizzes are a fun and easy way to dust off those mental cobwebs and test our cognitive abilities. In honor of November, this month’s quiz tests your knowledge of events that did or did not occur in November.
Author and history blogger Tony Valerino explores the life of a Pope in peril and the king who saved him.
Orlando Bartro discusses the “Machine with Two Gears.”
My poem this month is in honor of my dad who passed away fifty-three years ago this month. My short story is about a perfectly imperfect Thanksgiving.
This month I reviewed two books written by military veterans, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.
For our column, “Happy Birthday,” celebrating the birthdays of famous writers, I selected the Irish author Bram Stoker who is best known for his horror classic, Dracula,
For October 2026 in “The Twelve Months of Grain,” I’m featuring buckwheat. Contrary to its name, buckwheat is actually gluten-free. I made Buckwheat Chia Bread. It has few ingredients and tastes terrific.
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 here; 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