September 2024 Stack Talk
What was, is and shall be
September reasons to celebrate
Labor Day, September 2nd
When I was a kid, school started on Labor Day, which didn’t make it much of a celebratory day…it was quite a glum occasion, in fact. This federal holiday was created in the late 1800s to honor workers and was founded by labor unions. Did you know that only the US and Canada celebrate it? The rest of the world recognizes “Workers’ Day” usually held on 1 May (if you want to learn more about the contentious origins of this holiday look up Chicago’s “Haymarket Affair” or the 1894 Pullman Strike).
I can honestly say that though most people I know are aware of the reason for Labor Day, most people I know (including me) are too busy with BBQs, picnics, and various sporting events: US Open, NFL regular season begins, NASCAR, etc., to give much thought to how things were for workers back in the day.
To make something is an honorable undertaking, whether it be something mundane and seemingly trivial, a work of art, or even a conceptual manifestation - by our efforts of “making it so” we are, or are not, peacemakers, for example.
May many blessings fall upon those who make things whatever these things might be, and who take pride in doing so - without such workers, there would not be an America as we know it.
Fall Equinox, 22 September
On this date there is a balance between dark and light after which darkness grows until reaching its peak on the Winter Solstice in December (the “darkest evening of the year”). While the Winter Solstice may not actually be the darkest evening, it is the longest - poetic license is a beautiful thing, Mr. Frost. This American poet is one of my favorites, but since it is not yet time to think of the darkest evening of the year - how about a little touch of autumn Frost? Does reading “old” poems by the OG poets inspire and delight you…it does me, so perhaps you might indulge me a bit (have I mentioned September is my birthday month?!)
Nothing Gold Can Stay (Robert Frost)
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.Mabon, 21-29 September
Mabon is a week-long festival that begins around the time of the Fall Equinox. Many cultures see this second harvest as a time for giving thanks. Known as the Pagan Thanksgiving, the focus is on Mother Earth and what she has provided (yes, those wild and crazy pagans think the Mother deserves a bit of praise and thanks too). Unlike the Fall Equinox, that focuses on the relationship of Earth and the Sun, Mabon is about the harvest given to us by our Mother.
My Birthday, 9 September
Lastly, and least importantly, September is my birth month (I am a Virgo…with all the nasty baggage that entails). I find each birthday to be a time of personal reflection and wonder if others feel the same, and, I wonder if this rather introspective time is greatly influenced by the season in which one’s birthday falls. Would I become quite so engrossed in my own mortality if not looking at dying leaves, flowers and reading poems of impermanence? Hmmm.
FICTION WRITING CONNECTIONS/COMMUNITIES
I keep finding writing groups I love! Check these guys out:
Anything featured for Tuesdays?
Warrior Wednesday with
Thorny Thursday with
Sci-Fi Friday with
Sword Saturday with
Funny Sunday with
@Microdosing and
withConnecting Readers to Writers with
with- & with
Substack Accountability Corner & Find Your Tribe with
COMING SOON…
1 September Stack Talk is here! See you again 6 October: Announcement changing frequency of my posts - biweekly instead of weekly till year’s end! :)
8 September - Whither the Mind Does Wander- a collection of short poems - prompts from
’s Soul Circle.15 September - The Lost & The Veil: Gaia schemes to save The Lost (Part 2 of 3) - a first-time fantasy writing attempt that grew and grew - be sure to read Part One first!
22 September - Fall Equinox Haikus - I do these for seasons and celebrations occasionally.
29 September - Short Poems Inspired by Beth Kempton’s Sparks - Several poems responding to “sparks” and the #tinysummerpoem prompts.
SUBSTACK FAVORITES & DISCOVERIES
Now that I think of it, though this looks like a typical “favorites” list, I am most excited about the moment I discovered these jewels and count myself lucky to have done so - on a platform that features so many writers daily, hourly, one cannot possibly find and read them all.
- thought provoking commentary on Notes, gorgeous photos from her many walks, beautiful reflections and outstanding poetry - most enjoyable even when slightly “ranting” :)
- for just plain fun, lighthearted reading that often teaches you something you did not know that you did not know, and wonderful pics - an animal lover’s ‘must follow’.
Hey, Did You See That?
It’s always interesting to me when I look at the stats of which posts are most liked/viewed/commented upon. I am grateful that anyone takes time out of their busy day to read my ramblings, but I am sometimes surprised about what “hits” and what nearly flops (I say nearly here, because even one reader that connects is a win in my book). This was one I thought to give a second chance in getting more eyes on it - my favorite part is, “What May be in the Offing” - which has a bit of my grandma (Mam) in it, and I wrote it in July which was her birthday month. Thank you for reading!
Book, Movie and Other Recommendations
Complete Romance Fantasy Science Fiction of George MacDonald - I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I just now discovered this author after years of reading sci-fi, some fantasy and lots of fiction! Thank you, Ms.
for introducing us!Alien: Romulus - I’ve seen scathing reviews, so I suppose it depends on your expectations. There were no iconic scenes like the thing all up in Jamie Lee’s face, but simply, it is IMO a thrill ride for sci-fi/horror lovers!
“In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!”
Autumn Fires, by Robert Louis Stevenson
Happy upcoming Birthday! I have a lot of Virgos in my life, and am busy preparing for their birthdays.
Also, I love Heidi's column, 'Conversations with Critters' and I think she's a Virgo too.
Always appreciate you including me in your round up 🙏🏻