Day 27: the Vending Machine

Bridget sat forlornly in the hospital waiting room chipping away at a peeling linoleum tile with the toe of her shoe. She was about to be a big sister for the 4^th time and the novelty of that particular title had worn off after her sister Millicent was born. Millicent cried a lot. Millicent was probably a banshee. At least she had sounded like one, and as she grew up she didn’t get any less shrill. Next came Bobby who was probably part Sasquatch. He was obscenely tall for his age and quite hairy. He didn’t really speak in full sentences; he mostly grunted, took food from the fridge or pantry and disappeared back into his room. His hair was continually clogging up the shower. Bridget didn’t mind him so much, but it would have been nice to have someone to talk to. Candace was the baby, at least for the next few hours. Candace was sticky; there was no other way to put it. No matter if she had just been given a bath, Candace found some way to get into a mess. She always had something on her face and her fingers left trails of sticky smudges all around the house.

It wasn’t that Bridget didn’t like her siblings; they just didn’t have very much in common. Millicent liked boys, Bobby liked, who knew what Bobby liked and Candace liked toys. Bridget liked quiet and reading her books. She liked doodling in her journal and daydreaming, but there was always noise around the King house and always someone in need of her attention. If she wasn’t watching her siblings, she was doing chores or schoolwork. It was a happy family, truly, but sometimes Bridget wished she could have a break.

Bridget fidgeted in the hard plastic waiting room chair and wished her newest brother or sister would be born already so they could go home. Grandma had picked them all up straight from school and taken them to the hospital, Bridget thought about her new Jenny Murray mystery that was sitting on her dresser. She wished she had it now. Bobby and Millicent were mildly arguing about what to switch the waiting room TV to and Candace was sitting with their grandmother bouncing a baby doll on her lap. Everyone was occupied but Bridget who kicked at the peeling linoleum with a bit more vigor.

Her siblings were getting a bit louder as they argued over the TV and suddenly Millicent lunged for the remote. Bobby held it above his head easily putting it out of Millicent’s reach and gave a lazy half smile. He waggled it above his head and chuckled. Furious Millicent stamped hard on his foot and he dropped the remote in surprise. It clanked to the floor somehow hitting the mute button and everything went quiet except for Bridget’s stomach which chose that moment to gurgle with displeasure. It was loud enough to garner the attention of her family and Millicent sniffed her nose in disgust. Grandma put down her knitting, gave the squalling siblings a look and said, “Bridget reminded me that it has been a while since lunch and I think a snack would help settle our nerves. Bridget dear, would you go find a vending machine and pick out something for us?” “Why does she get to go,” Millicent asked. “She won’t get anything I like. I think I should go.” Bobby rumbled something about chips and Candace started bouncing in her chair chanting “canny, canny, canny.” “I’m sure Bridget will make fine choices,” Grandma said as she pulled her wallet out of her purse. She handed Bridget her debit card and smiled. “Go on dear. I’ll hold down the fort. Pick me out something crunchy,” and she winked.

Bridget took the card and nodded. She slipped it into the pocket of her jeans and scooted down the hall before Grandma changed her mind or any of her siblings followed her. As she turned the corner she could still heard Candace chanting about candy. Bridget remembered passing some vending machines when they first came in the hospital doors so she made her way to the elevators and pushed the down button. The elevator dinged immediately and the doors in front of her opened. She was about to walk on when she saw that the elevator was already full. A man in a brown suit smiled at her and beckoned. “We can squeeze you in little lady.” But Bridget smiled back, shook her head and said, “Its ok, I’ll get the next one.”  All right, suit yourself,” the man said and reached over to hit the door closed button.

As soon as the door closed the elevator dinged again and the elevator to the far left opened. Bridget peeked around the doors and saw that it was empty. She smiled and stepped in, pushing the stared button for the ground floor. The doors closed and the carriage gave a slight lurch and started to descend. 4, 3, 2, the elevator slowed and stopped. The doors opened and there was no one there. Bridget poked her head out but the corridor was empty. She moved back in and hit the door close button. Nothing happened. She waited then hit it again. She pushed the button for the stared floor and then the door closed button but the elevator doors remained steadfastly open. She bounced back on her heels in frustration and stepped out of the carriage. She pushed the down button on the panel and dashed back into the elevator. Still it sat there. She huffed out a sigh, of course this would happen. She pressed the buttons one more time and then stepped out again. She could see the sign for the stairs from the elevator and it was only one more floor down. She could walk.

Bridget trudged down the hallway grumbling about how things always happened to her when she felt her toe come in contact with something and heard a clink. She looked down and saw a silver and orange coin the size of a silver dollar laying a few feet from her. She must have kicked it. Bridget walked over to the coin and bent to pick it up. It was heavy in her hand. She turned it over and looked at it. On one side was a grinning jack o’ lantern, on the other an oak leaf. Around the border of the coin were words which read, “October fun has just begun. Make your selection.” Bridget flipped the coin back and forth in her hand wondering where the strange coin had come from. When she looked up she saw a tiny alcove set back from the hall. In the alcove was a door and through that door was a vending machine that was giving off a faint golden glow. Bridget looked back and forth across the hallway. It was still deserted. She looked down at the coin and saw that it too was giving off a faint golden glow in her hand. The coin was jack o’ lantern side up and as she looked at it the pumpkin winked at her. Bridget was so startled she dropped the coin. This was all too weird. She must be imagining things. The vending machine must have neon in it and coins didn’t wink. Haltingly she bent down to retrieve the coin. She paused midway, looked at it and then picked it up. She flipped it over to the pumpkin side and the jack o’ lantern didn’t wink. Its face was frozen in its toothy smile and it stayed that way.

Bridget haltingly walked into the alcove and towards the vending machine. As she got nearer she saw that it was filled with bottles, glass bottles that had brown paper labels on the front. Great, she thought. No food here, what a wasted trip. But the glow coming from the machine intrigued her and she kept walking toward it. Standing in front of the machine she saw that the bottles came in every size, shape and color. There were round ones, bottles that glittered like gold, and ones so tiny they were bunched 3 to a slot and tied with twine. There was a sign on across the top row of the machine in gold painted calligraphy that read “October Vending: Where Imagination Takes Flight.” How odd Bridget thought. She looked at the glasses again and really began to read the labels. Fall Day, read one, Wolves at Midnight read another. Fog Follies, Brisk Breeze, Ghostly Gambols, Moonbeam, Cider Party, Childhood. One bottle seemed to be smoking on the inside and another was rocking back and forth in its holder as something inside tried to get out. Bridget stared. This was no ordinary machine, of that she was sure. But what should she do? There was no slot for a debit card, only a glowing button on the right side that said “CHOOSE.”

Bridget had read about things like this in her books, but she never imagined that they were real, or that if they were they would happen to her. She looked at the labels again. Should she choose? But by now her curiosity was getting the best of her and she wanted to press the button. She reached her hand tentatively toward the button and hesitated. She looked back out the door to the hallway. She didn’t see anyone. The glow of the machine was so inviting and the button seemed to pulse and grow brighter. Bridget screwed up her eyes, reached her finger out and pushed. Nothing happened that she could tell and she cracked one eye open to peek. A slender tray popped out underneath the button. It had a depression in the center where one could put a coin. Bridget didn’t have any change and her shoulders slumped in dejection, then she felt a warmth in the palm of her other hand. She opened her fist and saw the pumpkin coin. It looked about the same size as the depression in the tray. Why not, she thought. She slotted the coin into the tray and almost immediately it was sucked into the machine.  Silvery purple words appeared across the front of the vending machine glass, “Make your selection.” Bridget looked all around the face of the machine and the sides, but there were no other buttons to push and there were no corresponding numbers under the bottles so how was she supposed to choose? She huffed in frustration. Of course she would get a magic vending machine that she couldn’t operate.

Bridget sighed and looked at the machine. It would have been neat to see what was in the moonbeam glass she said out loud then turned to leave. But as she turned she heard a CLINK. The cobalt blue moonbeam bottle was floating above its row. It floated out and then gently descended into the waiting receptacle below. There was a chime of tiny bells and the vending door opened. Bridget stared at the bottle. She stared at the machine. She stared at the bottle again. With eager but cautious fingers, she plucked the bottle from the machine and held it close. Inside the bottle she could see tiny lights moving back and forth. She hesitated only a second before pulling the cork stopper from the bottle. Nothing happened and then everything happened. Inky smoke started pouring from the container into the room. Bridget dropped the bottle in surprise and it landed with the muffled thud on the carpet on its side. More inky smoke came out and soon the whole room was covered. Bridget backed toward the alcove door but found it was gone. The light from the machine was slowly diminishing as the contents of the bottle continued to spill out, then there was nothing but blackness. Bridget tried to edge toward the wall but her fingers found no purchase. Then tiny lights began to appear. It was like snow, but it wasn’t wet or cold. Hundreds of twinkling white dots pierced the darkness. They shimmered and danced across Bridget’s outstretched fingers and swirled in a frenzy as she waved her hands in front of her face. Bridget laughed. They were moon beams. She blew on them and sent them cascading into each other. She gathered them in her hands and poured them out like water. They floated and fell, spun and cavorted. She chased them around the room and let them dance on her skin. Bridget felt giddy. After a while she grew tired of chasing them and sat down on the ground. She reclined back and stared at the twinkling display above her. Gradually the room began to lighten and the moonbeams began to wink out one by one. In the end there was only one moonbeam left on her index finger and it faded into her nail like melted snow. Bridget stared at the glowing spot on her finger and was started when she heard chimes. She looked up and saw the tray on the machine slide out again. On it was the pumpkin coin. She stood up and plucked the coin from the slot. The tray disappeared and the CHOOSE button began once more to glow.

This time Bridget didn’t hesitate, she pushed the button and waited for the tray to slide back out. The second it did, she slid the coin into the tray and said after a minute’s perusal, “Boney Boogey.” The frosted glass rattled as it floated down and when the vending door opened Bridget could hear the sound of drums and a trumpet. She pulled the stopper from the bottle top and instantly the room became a night club. There was a wooden planked stage with a crimson curtain behind it. On the stage were a motley collection of musicians. There was a man with 4 arms playing the drums, a fish like creature bulging out its cheeks playing a trumpet, while a mermaid in a giant glass bowl sang from a microphone clipped to the lip of the tank. A regular looking fellow played the guitar with his beard and a kitten was bouncing back and forth on the piano keys.

Below the stage was a dance floor already packed with couples moving to the music. Bridget was watching them whirl and glide when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and a skeleton with a top hat gallantly bowed and asked her if he could have this dance. Bridget was getting used to the strangeness of the situation by now and placed her hand in his outstretched palm. His bones were surprisingly warm and as he led her to the center of the floor she could feel the beat of the music pulsing through them. He put a skeletal hand to her waist, and off they went. Bridget didn’t know how to dance at all. She had seen things like this on some of her grandmothers black and white films, but she didn’t even know how to Dougie let alone dance, it didn’t seem to be a problem though. Her boney partner was light on his feet and he swept her along in time to the music. Bridget let out a squeal of laughter when he twirled her and lost herself to the music. They waltzed and tangoed, did the Monster Mash and the twist. Bridget had never had such fun and was sad when finally the music ended and the band began to pack up. Steve, for that was her partners name, turned and bowed to her and kissed her hand. As he backed away the room began to fade and she was once more standing in front of the vending machine. The tray slid out with the coin on it and Bridget reached for it once more.

One after the other, Bridget chose bottle after bottle of October treats. She attended a tea party with a wolf man who only drank Earl Grey, flew over treetops that were in full fall color with a bat, went to a cider party with a scarecrow, sailed on an orange ocean full of apples that tasted like October treats, and sat at a campfire that burned logs of pumpkin spice, caramel, and maple. She also sailed across a river of chocolate in a marshmallow boat, had a sleep over with a ghostly trio inside a jack o’ lantern,  and wore a dress made out of fog, but Bridget was getting tired. She had no idea how long she had been choosing bottles but the novelty of it was wearing off. She promised herself that she would only choose one more and then stop. She stood in front of the machine looking at all the bottles. Toward the bottom she spied an orange bottle with a red sparkly ribbon on it. It read “Autumn Memories” and as she spoke it aloud she knew that this was the perfect last bottle. It floated down like all the others and she paused just a second before opening it.

The vending room turned into a neighborhood full of fall color. It was her neighborhood and Bridget saw her house. She walked toward it and could see her father was out in the front yard raking leaves. She saw her mother sitting on the front step with a papoose carrier slung around her body. She was cooing at whichever baby was in the sling. Bridget’s father said something, she couldn’t make it out from this distance and her mother laughed. The sunlight caught her caramel colored hair and made it shine like gold in places. Both of her parents were smiling and her father put down the rake and moved to sit next to her mother. She scooted over to make room and both of them looked down at the tiny bundle in the sling. Bridget’s father reached in and scooped the baby out and held it up to the sunlight. It squealed in delight and he pulled it back down to his chest rocking it slowly. Her parents looked at the tiny bundle with wonder and played with its toes. The baby cooed and wiggled and gave another delighted laugh. Her mother began speaking to the child and talking about how it was their responsibility to care for the baby and how they would show it the world and shower it with love. They both promised to do their best and to guide the infant and provide listening ears. We love you Bridget and we can’t believe you are ours.

Older Bridget gasped. The baby was her. She didn’t remember this, but why would she? She watched her parents coo and play with her tiny toes. They drew closer together and shared tender looks over baby Bridget’s head. Bridget’s father deposited his tiny daughter back into the hands of his wife. He kissed them both on the forehead and then resumed his raking all while humming a silly tune. Bridget’s mother put tiny Bridget back in the sling and reclined in the autumn sunshine. Baby Bridget watched a butterfly go by and then yawned and closed her eyes. It was a perfect moment and Bridget could feel the warmth and love permeating her bones. She closed her eyes to bask in the memory and when she opened them she was once again in front of the vending machine. The coin slid out once more and Bridget took it from the tray. It was warm in her hand and glowing. Thank you she whispered. The coin pulsed. She took one last look at the machine. Its silvery purple lettering sparkled and the bottles twinkled in their rows. She smiled and walked out of the room.

Once out of the alcove she found herself back in the hallway where she had started from. She turned to look at the machine one last time but only saw a blank wall where it had been.  A sign on the wall advertised flu shots at the downstairs walk in clinic. Bridget turned trying to find the alcove but it had disappeared. She still had the coin in her hand so she knew she hadn’t imagined it. She was about to put it back in her pocket when she saw new lettering appear on the oak leaf side. “Let me go,” it read. “Put me down.” Bridget blinked and the words shimmered at her. She ran her fingers over the grooves in the leaves and she thought she could hear a rustle. She looked at the coin once more then bent to the ground and placed it on the floor. The coin gave one last glimmer of gold and then went dull. It was time for someone else to find it and become part of the magic. Bridget whispered a thank you to the coin and then turned to go back to the elevator. The doors were still open and Bridget walked into the empty carriage. Almost immediately the doors closed and she soon found herself on the first floor. She walked out in a daze and saw the front lobby full of people, doctors, nurses, visitors, orderlies, housekeeping and more. She spied the regular vending machines and after a stutter step she moved toward them. There was nothing special about these machines. They had candy, chips and gum like any other machine. She was a bit disappointed but made her selections anyway. Arms full she headed back up to the waiting room.

Millicent and Bobby were still arguing Candace was still swinging her baby doll but now had a sucker in her mouth and a sticky trail across her cheek. Grandma had gone back to knitting and Bridget just stood and stared at them all. This was her family. They had a magic all their own. Sure they could be annoying, but she knew their quirks and they knew hers. Family. She was about to open her mouth to tell them she had brought snacks when her father burst through the waiting room doors. He had a huge grin on his face. Everyone looked up at the sudden intrusion and he said “Your mother is doing just fine and so is your baby brother, Patrick. Grandma clapped her hands in delight; Bobby let out a whoop and said something about not being the only boy anymore. Candace ignored them all and Millicent grumped and lamented that she had another brother to deal with. Bridget’s father told them they could all come back one at a time to meet the newest addition. He turned to Bridget, knelt down and looked at her. “Would you like to be first my girl? You are the oldest after all.” Yes, Bridget said, and meant it. Her father rose and told them that Bridget was going back with him. Millicent argued that it wasn’t fair, but only halfheartedly.

 Bridget followed her father out through the doors and down the hallway to her mother’s room. Bridget’s father put a finger to his lips as they entered and Bridget smiled and waved at her mother who was lying against the pillows looking tired but happy. She waved back at her daughter and pointed to the bassinet next to her. Bridget came closer and peeked inside. There wrapped swaddled in a green blanket with monkeys was her new little brother. He had a dark halo of hair and a scowl on his tomato red face. He was squirming and gurgling and when Bridget said hello in a soft voice, he stopped. Bridget leaned a little closer and whispered “Hi Patrick, I’m your big sister. My name is Bridget and I am going to help take care of you.” Patrick unfurled his brow a bit and made smacking sounds with his lips. Bridget continued, “I promise to protect your ears from Millicent’s squawking and save you some of the good treats before Bobby gets to them. I will protect you from Candace’s sticky fingers and someday I will tell you all about the magic vending machine I found while you were being born.” Patrick wiggled and cooed and smacked his lips again. “Welcome to the world baby brother,” Bridget said, “it’s a magical place.”

Day 15: Penelope Ann Makes a New Friend

Penelope Ann had never been afraid of monsters, she knew too many of them. There was the sock monster that lived in her closet who only ate linty mints on Thursdays. There was the rather large dust bunny that lived under the furnace in the basement. Mother thought their cat Boots was what kept the mice away, but really it was the dust bunny.  There was also the sink monster who liked strawberries, the mailbox fiend who ate all the junk mail, the shadow that lived in the corner of the upstairs bath who continually fogged up the mirror whenever her sister Margaret tried to do her make up, and the thing that lived under the area rug in the foyer who still hadn’t told Penelope its name. She called it Bob for conversational purposes. And those were just the monsters that lived in her house, Penelope Ann knew plenty others. The house monsters were friendly creatures and Penelope Ann spent many nights and lazy afternoons talking with them. They told her all sorts of wonderful stories and kept her apprised of the family gossip, which was how she found out she was moving in the first place. 

Penelope Ann’s family was constantly amazed how Penelope Ann could know things she shouldn’t. They assumed she eavesdropped at doors but they had never caught her and the truth was too preposterous to even consider, for no one else in Penelope Ann’s family talked to monsters or even knew they were there.

It was a sad day when the Porter family finally moved from Beechwood Lane. Penelope Ann spent most of the week leading up to moving day saying her good byes to her monster friends. The dust bunny presented her with a marble she thought she had lost when she was 3. The sink monster coughed up a strawberry which Penelope Ann politely declined. The shadow drew a heart on the bathroom mirror just for her, the mailbox fiend promised to write and the thing under the area rug never did give up its name but said it had grown rather fond of being called Bob, so that was what it would go by. At least Bob would be coming with her.

It was a long drive to their new house and Penelope Ann waved sadly at the old one as the family station wagon pulled out of the driveway for the final time. She thought about her monsters as they drove through the desert and then around hills. She looked for new ones in the corners of the motel rooms they stayed in, but to no avail. She looked between the limbs of trees as they drove through forests and hoped she would spy something as they drove across the mountains. By the time they reached the valley floor of their new town Penelope Ann was too sad and tired to look for monsters anymore.

It was dark when the Porter’s finally pulled into Primrose Court and the outside lights were burning brightly to welcome them. The moving company had already come and gone hours before and dad and Stew met them at the door. The older children ran to their new rooms and father gently scooped a sleeping Penelope Ann from the backseat. He carried her to her new bedroom where he had made sure to affix glowing stars on her ceiling so it felt more like home. He tucked her up in her orange striped sheets and kissed her softly on the forehead so as not to wake her. Penelope Ann dreamed of her monsters and flying and didn’t wake up until the morning.

When she finally opened her eyes, Penelope Ann understandably was a bit disoriented as to her surroundings. She was in her own bed and all of her treasures were around her,but the order of everything was all wrong. She saw the outlines of the stars on the ceiling, but she knew she wasn’t in her old room. Then she remembered. She lay in bed taking it all in until her mother came in to see if she was awake and wanted breakfast. Penelope Ann was going to say no and snuggle back in her bed and take stock of things when she caught the scent of her father’s famous chocolate chip banana pancakes wafting up the stairs. She was out of bed like a shot. She wasn’t quite sure where to go once she left her bedroom, as she had been asleep when she was carried up the stairs, but she followed her nose and found the stairs at least. At the bottom she saw Bob and she felt a bit better. He peeked out from under his rug and pointed her in the direction of the kitchen before giving a little wave and disappearing.

Penelope Ann went in and ate breakfast with her family and thus began her new life on Primrose Court. She helped tidy the house with her mother and explored the backyard with Kevin and Ray. She went to the grocery store with her father and made some new friends at the local park that Margaret took her too in the afternoons.

Things were going well for Penelope Ann but she missed her monsters. Bob had never been very talkative but at least he was around. She found a promising dust bunny in the attic when mother was putting away grandmas trunks, but it either couldn’t talk or wouldn’t, the same with the shadows and sink. But her melancholy soon cleared like fog in sunshine once she started her new school. She adored her new teacher Miss Buckley and the other students in her class. She liked learning about her new town and her new friends. But her favorite part of all was that she was finally allowed to walk to school by herself. She and her ladybug backpack would run out the door, after kissing mother goodbye, and then skip down the drive and out onto the sidewalk. She was careful not to step on cracks and always crossed out of the way of slugs and ants. She waved at her neighbors who she rather liked; Mr. Hardbottle who had fuzzy white hair that stuck off his head like it was trying to escape. Mrs. Myrlte who had glasses the size of coke bottles and still couldn’t see much. She was continually watering her weeds and pulling her flowers. The Miss Beecham’s always gave her candy and sometimes she walked with old Mr. Zither and his dog Horace the basset hound who was always getting caught in his ears.

Penelope rather liked her new life and soon forgot to look for monsters anymore. But then one day, one bright and shiny October day, Penelope Ann woke up before her mother came in to rouse her and knew, just knew that something wonderful was going to happen. She didn’t know what but she had that wiggly excited feeling in her tummy and whenever she had that feeling good things were sure to happen.

Penelope Ann pulled on her favorite plaid top and sparkly black skirt and for once beat Margaret to the bathroom. She brushed her hair and raced down the stairs surprising her mother who was just putting the coffee on for her father. She ate her Cheerios like they were the last food on earth, wiggled impatiently as her mother braided her hair, then made her sack lunch. At last she it was time to go and she was free. She raced out of the house looking this way and that for whatever wonderful thing lay in store. But she didn’t find anything on the way to school, nothing particularly impressive happened during the day, though her essay on the planets did get a gold star. By the time the bell rang to go home Penelope Ann was a bit dismayed. Her walk home didn’t have nearly the pep in it as her morning sojourns. She halfheartedly waved at Mr. Zither and Horace when they crossed paths and she declined the candy from the Miss Beecham’s.

As she turned down her street, she saw her father putting up their Halloween yard decorations. She saw the smooshed tree witch and the bag of bones over by the wheelbarrow, the cartoon Snoopy in a cape and the scarecrows on the front porch, but there was something new. Her father was inflating a green cloth Frankenstein. Every year they bought a new item for the yard and this year it seemed Franky won. As the portable generator filled the newest acquisition with air Penelope Ann could see that the green monster was easily as tall as her father. He bobbed, wiggled  and shook as he filled and she watched him inflate. He father noticed her at last and told her the new house needed a new decoration and asked how she liked it. Penelope Ann thought the monster was rather sweet with his bemused smile and nubby fingers. He held an orange pumpkin in his fingers that spelled out TREATS on the front. Once inflated her father secured the green behemoth with stakes, stood up, dusted his hands on his pants and surveyed his work. He nodded at a job well done, picked up his mallet and twist ties and headed back up the porch. He told Penelope Ann that there were snacks in the kitchen and went inside.

Penelope Ann stared at the new green addition. He bobbled in the slight breeze but otherwise peered out over the cul de sac and smiled his bemused smile. Was this her wonderful thing? It was nice, but it was no drain monster. Penelope Ann watched the inflatable for a bit longer then went inside. She ate her snack, did her homework, had dinner and then curled up on the couch with her family to watch a movie. It was their Friday night tradition. Mother was making popcorn and her siblings were arguing about what they should watch. In the middle of refereeing his children, father remembered that he had forgotten the mail and was expecting an important letter. He told Ray to go out and get it and to let Stew pick the show. Ray started to argue, but thought better of it. He turned and then grumped his way to the hallway and was just about to go out the door when his phone beeped from his back pocket. He stopped at the bannister to check his incoming message then laughed. He started typing, laughed some more, typed some more and then sat down. His father yelled from the living room for Ray to get the mail already since he hadn’t heard the door open and close. Ray waved a dismissive hand in the direction of the living room all the while keeping his eyes and thumbs on the phone. Just then Penelope Ann walked by. Father yelled again and Ray looked up. He spied Penelope Ann and asked her to go get the mail for him. Penelope Ann wasn’t too keen on going out to the box in the dark and said no. Ray looked up at her and asked again. Penelope Ann said no again and was just about to leave when Ray said he would let her have some of his Milk Duds to melt in her popcorn if she went and got the mail for him. Ray never shared his Milk Duds with anyone so Penelope quickly agreed, but first she made him pinky promise. Ray went back to his phone and Penelope Ann opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.

It was dark outside. The porch light was on and the street light was just over the mailbox, but there was a black pool of darkness from the bottom of the steps, past the garage that Penelope Ann didn’t like the look of. She sat down on the top step and contemplated what to do. It almost wasn’t worth the Milk Duds in her popcorn to attempt this feat of daring. The moon was hidden behind dark clouds and somewhere a dog started barking. Penelope Ann didn’t have the good wiggles in her tummy anymore. Instead she had the panicked butterflies in her tummy that were knocking into each other and almost making her cry. The night seemed to get darker, the unfamiliar surroundings seemed more sinister and she was just about to run back into the house when she heard a deep gentle voice ask her if she was ok?

Penelope Ann almost screamed, really she didn’t know why she didn’t. Perhaps the sound was so scared it was stuck in her throat. She looked this way and that and couldn’t see who was talking to her. The gentle voiced asked again if she was ok and if she needed assistance. Penelope Ann by now was very frightened indeed and was regaining the sense in her legs enough that she about turned to bolt when she looked up and saw the inflatable Frankenstein looking inquiringly at her. He had turned completely around and had moved out from the side of the stairs and was now facing her. He bobbled his head to the side a bit, smiled and asked if she was alright. Penelope Ann blinked at him once, twice and then slowly began to smile. The green monster took this as a good sign and introduced himself as Mo. He said he didn’t mean to pry but he noticed she was distressed and wondered if he could do anything to help. Penelope Ann had impeccable manners and told Mo her name. Then she told him she was scared to walk to the mailbox in the dark. If she didn’t come back with the mail her older brother Ray wouldn’t share his Milk Duds with her, and he never shared them with anyone and she really wanted them but she was scared.

Mo listened with as serious a face a cartoon inflatable monster can have and then chuckled a bit. He could fix her problem he said. He would walk with her to the mailbox and no scary thing would dare pop out if the two of them were together. Penelope Ann loved this idea and bounced down the stairs to walk with her new friend. She slipped her tiny hand into his giant green one. He pulled up his stakes with his other hand and the two of them ambled down the driveway. Mo bounced, Penelope Ann skipped. Together they reached the end of the drive and turned to stand in the pool of sodium light over the mailbox. Penelope Ann had a bit of trouble getting the mailbox door open but once Mo bopped his fabric y fist on the top of it, the lid sprung open and Penelope Ann was able to get her father’s important letter and the rest of their mail. She once again put her hand in Mo’s and they walked back up the drive arm in arm.

Mission accomplished and back on the steps once again, Penelope Ann thanked the kindly monster and told him she was glad to meet him. Mo inclined his head and said it was nice to meet her too. Penelope Ann helped him re-secure his stakes and then she skipped back up the steps with the mail and into the house with a giant smile on her face. Her wonderful thing had happened just like she knew it would. She handed the mail to her father, who was a little confused as to why she had it and not Ray, and then got her Milk Duds and popcorn, squeezed in between her sister and mother and watched the movie.

At bedtime she leaned out her window and waved at Mo and called goodnight. He waved back and winked. From then on Penelope volunteered to get the mail every night. If her family thought this was odd they didn’t say anything and happily let her. Penelope Ann and Mo talked about everything. He shared what happened on the street when no one was watching and Penelope Ann told him about her day. She also found that she could talk to other inflatables. This was how she found out that Mrs. Henderson ate all her Halloween candy before the holiday even happened and had to go buy a new bag. She also knew the Morgan’s dog escaped every morning and ran around town only to get home just before his owners. Mr. Beaty liked to sing in the shower with the window open and the Murphy twins watched scary movies when their parents thought they were asleep.

Yes, life was back to normal of sorts for Penelope Ann. After Halloween was over she missed her green friend, but for Christmas her father bought an inflatable Grinch and they had just as much fun. Then there came the inflatable New Year’s baby, the cupid, leprechaun, Easter bunny, Uncle Sam and finally Mo again. Penelope Ann was happy. Mo was happy and what more could a girl want on a darkening October night?

Day 7: October Bounty

I know that I have said it before, but October is magical. The best things really do seem to happen during this month, and they happen with amazing frequency. I'm sure skeptics will say that I am simply looking for good and surprise, surprise, I find it. But I think it is more than that. I don't believe in coincidence. October really is this wonderful. You don't believe me, then observe a typical day. There was so much wonderful in the day that I am about ready to burst.

1. We took our church picture yesterday. Everyone gathered in a tight group outside and we stood in the beautiful sunshine and smiled like a bunch of crazy fools. It was GREAT! I don't care if you hate having your picture taken. I don't care if you don't like getting up early on a Sunday morning. To have such a massive group of people all fancied up and grouped together laughing and joking was wonderful. There wasn't a frowny face in the bunch and no one really cared that the sun was in our eyes the whole time. It will make for a great memory.

2. I got to finally hug a bunch a people that I have been missing and who have been on my mind. I didn't know they were going to be there. I didn't know that they were going to come into my path. Everything just fell together and I got to share some of my joy with them.

3. I have been saving up for a snazzy jacket and today I finally had enough to get it. I walked into the store and they only had one left. It was the one in my size and it looked great (ok, it makes me look like a hipster biker, but who cares). When I went to check out, a random lady gave me a $20 off coupon.

4. While out and about running errands, my wonderful, fabulous, green thumb extraordinaire neighbor texted me that she had extra pumpkins and whatnot for me to come peruse. It was the perfect day for pumpkin perusal. I mean, you couldn't have ordered a more perfect day. I got to spend at least an hour, if not more, roaming over the hillside, through vines, and across the planting bed in search of perfect, natural October décor. She had Alice in Wonderland sized sunflowers towering high above our heads. The pumpkin patch had taken steroids and overgrown the banks. There were white pumpkins, warty pumpkins, orange pumpkins, green pumpkins, purple corn, orange corn, speckled corn, yellow corn. I was in heaven. I got to feed a skittish cow, toss gourds at chickens (no chickens were harmed in the tossing of said gourds) snuggle an October colored kitten, snuggle its momma and take pictures of bees. I even found a lady bug. It was better than any pumpkin patch and I am truly spoiled to have such a wonderful neighbor.

5. While eating dinner I happened to glance outside at the valley below. There, slowly creeping its way along the riverbanks was a massive fog bank. The sun was just beginning to set and there was a long snake of fog just winding its way across the hills. It was magnificent. I went outside and watched it for at least a half an hour. It expanded and flowed like a living thing. The mists began to branch out and slowly climb the hillsides. Watching the fog was better than watching any TV show...........except...........

6. Tonight was the first of the Halloween episodes for some of my TV shows. It was so good. It was full of everything I love about holiday theme episodes. The characters house was super decorated. The actors had fabulous costumes AND I have been turned on to a new hobby, Halloween caroling! Why on earth didn't I think of that sooner?!

So you see, it really isn't just my imagination, October really spoils me with the wonderful. The only thing missing in this perfect month so far is the fact that I still have not found soy nog yet, but I still have 25 days, so I'm not really worried. Bring on the wonderful October. I can take it!

Day 1: Hello October

I can't believe it is finally here. It doesn't quite seem real. Today, is the first day of October, and I am a bit apprehensive that my alarm is going to go off and it will all turn out to have been just a dream. I will wake up and it will really be November 1st and I will have another whole year to wait.
Happily, that is not the case. I am wide awake, and there is a feeling of October swirling in the night sky. Already the log jam of wonderful begins to queue up in my mind. There are so many things to say, so many new ideas to share. There are old traditions to observe and new ones to implement. I'm so giddy that I haven't even picked out which October movie to watch first.
It has been a wild ride since the last time this month came around, but that isn't the point. The point is, that for thirty-one-derful days there is a special kind of magic in the air. A different way of being. The days have an unusual feel to them in October. I really can't say why. Maybe I am seeing things through orange colored glasses, but October really is a month set apart. It has personality, vigor and more than a little mischief. I have felt it creep into the other months and slip in pieces of itself. A dash of mystery here, a pinch of whimsy there. I have caught fleeting tastes and smells of October in the strangest places, and felt its pull on hot summer days. Ah October, I have missed you.
For those new to the October Thoughts (OT), welcome. For those who are old hands, welcome back. I am so happy that I get to share my love of this wonderful month with all of you. It makes the journey sweeter traveling with friends old and new. Who knows what exciting discoveries we will make and grand adventures we will have this time around. .

For traditions sake, I will now present the reading of the history and for lack of a better word, guidelines. I have always had a love affair with October. Everything about it is heightened (lots more on that later). Then in the early 2000's, I found someone else who shared my love of the orange month. She wrote her own October Thoughts (still does) and graciously allowed me to piggyback off of her idea. You see, October has more than enough wonderful for us to share. Ever since, in one form or another, I have bent the ear of any who would listen, why I think October is the best month of them all.
Being a girl who likes variety, I have much to love in this month. I love the cozy and the scary, the cute and the gory. I like paper Mache bats as much as ridiculously expensive couture costumes. I like the candy and the weather, the scares, the tastes, the magic, the colors and so much more. Not everyone will share in all my delights and that is ok. As far as I know, October doesn't hold any grudges.
For 31 days, I will write about some aspect of October that catches my fancy. Some thoughts will be old, some new. Most will be long, there will be more than a little nostalgia and unless otherwise stated, it will be all my rambling thoughts (you have been warned). For the most part, I write at night. This means that when you awake in the glorious October morning there will be a Thought ready and waiting for you. BUT, life does happen and sometimes the thoughts will be delayed. That just means that you can fill in your own. I am more than happy to take requests or play with comments. You the reader, help me make the magic and what we come up with together, can sometimes be the best part. I look forward to our interaction.
But for now, you get my manifesto on why I think October is so great in the first place. Each year I try to put into words a summation of my October love affair. And each year, I come up with something slightly different. This year my overarching theme is the word cozy. I get a great feeling of inner warmth and joy when I think about October. The nights turn crisp and hold the promise of snuggling under blankets and eating comfort food whilst drinking hot beverages. There are golden glows from the suns rays, and warm, comforting colors in the fall palate. There is a sense of ease in the traditions of the month. By now, life has fallen back into its rhythms and routines from the chaos that is summer. There are things to look forward to and life seems to turn inward. The frenetic pace of the holiday season has not yet hit and there is still a sense of enjoyment in the coming days. For all its mystery and magic, there is something reassuring and dependable about October. I can always count on something wonderful to happen.
In my minds eye, I see October as a sepia photograph or multifaceted jewel. It is nostalgia and friendship. Promise of better days and new insights. And it is never the same upon repeat viewing. October is the best kind of mystery and I look forward to unlocking it with you. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and your coziest blanket and come along with me on the grand adventure that is October!

It's Alive. IT'S ALIVE! October finally awakens from it's slumber: October Thought Day 1

It's funny. Most times I only get October fever a few months out. This year, October has snuck around corners and ambushed me the entire year through. It was not content to sit idly by while Easter had its pageantry or July its sizzle. October popped up in my Christmas decorations, summer leisure time and for my birthday. I gleefully broke one of my own cardinal rules and bought October goodies out of season simply because I couldn't take the pressure any more. I ate pumpkiny things in August and September and didn't feel a bit guilty about it. I bought a sparkly skull in July and didn't bat an eyelash. And speaking of bats, I bought some funky lace with bat cut outs in March. Gasp.

For months I have been thinking of what I will say for my first October Thought. I have written and rewritten and written some more. Sometimes in my head, sometimes on bits of napkin, coupons or errant post its. For a moment or two I flirted with the idea of writing all of this years thoughts early and just posting them with a few add ons as the days progressed. But I decided that would be cheating and restrained myself. (See, I do have some will power.) But now, it is here. Oh wonder of wonders, oh rapturous joy it is finally here. The decorations have been unleashed and the song and movie lists readied. The hammock is set up on the back porch and I have a pile of accumulated October magazines to peruse as I swing gently under the watchful gaze of a gangly mummy, a cheerful floppy candy corn and a filmy pumpkin specter. If I could at some point will a decaf pumpkin latte into my hand, things would be near perfect and this is only day one.

If you are new to the October Thoughts or OT as all the cool kids call it, here is a brief instruction guide. For those of you who are old hands, just hum Monster Mash quietly to yourself and then skip the next two paragraphs.

It started back in the early 2000's, I met a kindred soul who loved October as much as myself. I didn't think such a thing was possible or that such a person existed. Surely I was the only one weird enough to love the red headed step child that is the month of October. Yes, people like pretty leaves, and yes some people get a little worked up about Halloween, but love for a whole month? But she did and of course we became friends. AND THEN........I found out that she, wonderful wordsmith that she is, wrote a segment each year about how wonderful October was to her. I read it with great delight for years and one day it hit me, duh, I can write too. So I asked for her permission to write some October Thoughts of my own. Being the wonderful woman that she is, she agreed. She inspires me continually and makes me feel less crazy for devoting whole pages of prose to my love for candy corn and spangly holiday socks. You all enjoy my thoughts (at least I hope so) because this intrepid pioneer first paved the way. So thank you Kristen G. for allowing the world to have two October Thoughts a year. It turns out October is big enough for the both of us.

For the next 31 days you will be treated to my ramblings about why I love the month of October so very much. There will be scary bits, bits about literature, rants about how Christmas decor is trying to invade, and reasons why October should annex the mostly worthless month of November (sorry November babies, I still love you, you were just born in October adjacent). I will most likely talk about breakfast cereals, leaves and Halloween just to name a few. But each year I find something new to say and each idea is written on the day about whatever October wonderment pops into my head. I am a creature of the night, so each posting will most likely be written in the wee hours of the morning. While I slide off to visit dreamland, you will all wake up to a new October Thought. They will each have a title for the day and a number so you can keep things straight. Feel free to comment and write a bit of October love yourself. If you don't like what you read, or if you find excessive October gushing is not for you, you can excuse yourself from the group at any time no questions asked or feelings hurt. I promise. Most of you have expressed an interest in following my ramblings, and a few I have thrown into the group because I think you will like what I have to say. But I know that not everyone is as enthusiastic about October as I am. I also tend to be very wordy, so October Thoughts might run for a few pages rather than a few sentences. So if you are not overly fond of reading, OT's may not be for you. Otherwise, make sure you have a good cup of cider or some pumpkin scones to munch on while you peruse. I wouldn't want anyone to faint from hunger whilst reading.

For the first day I always try to give some sort of summary about why I love the month of October so very much. I fail miserably each year, and invariably what I wrote in my head months ago, but never actually set to paper is a thousand times better that what I will write today, but woulda, coulda, shoulda. What are ya gonna do. Soooooo, here is my encapsulation of the greatness of October for this year.

In October I fully come alive. Not to say that I am a sleepwalking zombie the other eleven months, but there is something about this month that revives me. Perhaps I get a jolt of electricity from Dr. Frankenstein. Or maybe I am Mr. Hyde come out to play, but minus the sloppy murdery bits. I love both the scary aspect and the sublime. I get caught up in the whirl and frenzy of Halloween, but at the same time I am content to sit by the fireside and watch the fog roll in. October is all about imagination. It is like a kaleidoscope of amazingness. It continually shifts and changes and brings forth one wonderful surprise after another. For every scary thing, there is a sweet. For every sinister shiver, there is a beautiful delight. October is like the phoenix both rising from the ashes and at once returning to them. It bursts upon the calendar like a firework and trails off into the dying year like a wisp of sweetly smelling smoke. Change your perspective but a little and October will show you something new.

October is a gateway month. A Janus, but with more than two faces. I like to think of it as my January, February, November and December all in one. It is the best part of summer but without the heat. October is when I feel the call to look back on my life and examine. Why wait until a new year. It is the month where I fall in love with just about every thing around me. Sights, sounds, feelings, smells, I revel in each one. Who needs the yucky love month that is coated in pink. October is also when I am most thankful. There is so much around me. So much good flooding in that I almost can't take it all. But the best part of October is that there is no pressure to perform. No fancy dinners to throw for family, no gifts to get, no hustle or bustle. October just lets you be. You can while away the hours with a spooky book or you can sit contentedly and watch as a leaf floats to earth. You can be as boisterous or creative as you want. Throw a party, or don't. Take a destination vacation or stay at home wrapped in a fluffy blanket. October lets you plan your own adventure. October is comfort food for the soul.

Simply stated, October is magical. I don't know what else to call it. No other month fills me with such a sense of possibility. For 31-derful days I have a star in the palm of my hand. I can use the night like a cloak and the falling leaves for a dazzling multi hewed gown. Fog is my red carpet to stroll and the owl my herald. October runs rampant in my blood, which I think looks a bit like the color of candy corn.

To me, October is full of wonder, mystery and beauty. Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. For 31 days we shall travel this wondrous month together and discover the joys that it has in store. Onward to October!