October is...

Mel Makaw.

Every month has a special designation, and every year around this time I like to write a reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a great time to get those breasts checked and catch any abnormalities early. Early detection can save lives, and early detection depends on actually getting checked out. October is the month to get that done!

So that's my reminder for this year. Because in researching the month of October, I also found a lot of other fun stuff to remember and celebrate and tell you about.

For example, October is also Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Bat Appreciation Month, Blindness Awareness Month, Country Music Month, National Disability awareness Month, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Emotional Wellness Month, Family History Month, and appropriately enough, Halloween Safety Month.

But that's not all. October has too many different designations to list here (like most months do) so I'll name just a few: it's also International Walk To School Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, National Cookbook Month, National Cookie Month, National Animal Safety and Protection Month, National Arts and Humanities Month, National Apple Month, National Book Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, National Pretzel Month, National Caramel Month, National Clean Energy Action Month, National Dessert Month, National Pasta Month, National Physical Therapy Month, National Pizza Month, World Animal Month, and finally, World Bullying Prevention Month.

Who knew a mere month could pack in so many celebrations and remembrances? But that's not all either. Weeks also have noted designations and here's what's coming up: Oct. 20 to 26: National Friends of Libraries Week, Respiratory Care Week, and Wolf Awareness Week; Oct. 21 to 25: National Health Education Week; Oct. 23 to 31: Red Ribbon Week.

But again, that's not all! Days also have different designations, and most days have several! Since part of the month is gone already and I'm running out of space, I'll just highlight a few of the special days remaining this month.

Oct. 12 is I Love Yarn Day, International African Penguin Awareness Day, National Gumbo Day, National Pulled Pork Day, and World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

Oct. 13 is National M&M Day (yum!) and National Train Your Brain Day. Oct. 14 is Indigenous Peoples' Day and National Dessert Day. The 15th is "I Love Lucy" Day and National Mushroom Day. The 16th is National Liqueur Day and National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. Oct. 17 is National Pasta Day and Wear Something Gaudy Day. Oct. 18 is National Chocolate Cupcake Day and National Necktie Day.

Oct. 19 is International Sloth Day and National Seafood Bisque Day; the 21st is American Frog Day and National Apple Day. Oct. 22 is National Nut Day; Oct. 23 is National Croc Day. The 24th is National Bologna Day and National Kangaroo Awareness Day. The 25th is International Artist Day and National Greasy Foods Day.

Oct. 26 is National Day of the Deployed and National Hug a Sheep Day. Oct. 27 is National American Beer Day and National Black Cat Day. Oct. 28 is National Immigrants Day and Plush Animal Lover's Day. Oct. 29 is National Oatmeal Day; Oct. 30 is National Treat Your Pet Day and Mischief Night. Oct. 31 is Girl Scout Founder's Day, National Knock Knock Joke Day, and of course Halloween.

It's all a fun reminder that there is always something to celebrate every single day!

Happy October!

© 2024 Mel Makaw. Mel, author of several books including On the Bright Side, a Collection of Columns (all available locally at Tehachapi Arts Center), has been looking on the bright side for various publications since 1996. She welcomes your comments at [email protected]/.