October Light
As October 2025 comes to an end, I’m up early on Halloween, warmed by our fireplace and a vintage wool lap blanket. In the quiet of predawn hour, I’m focusing on memories of October’s past and present; and as I do, my thoughts go first to the seasonal pumpkins and squashes that now decorate the porch outside front door as well as a long harvest table near the kitchen.
Across from me, our cat Peekay has curled into ball the color of a Long Island Cheese pumpkin—a variety that dates back to the 19th century. His golden glow reminds me that in France, pumpkins can be found each October in local produce markets as well as shop windows displaying Halloween decorations. Among the world of pumpkins, a particular favorite of mine is the Rouge Vif D’Étampes—a vivid red pumpkin from in a medieval town south Paris that was introduced to U.S. gardeners in 1883 by W. Atlee Burpee.
Another favorite of mine is the Jarrahdale—a dusty greenish-blue Australian heirloom pumpkin that is both decorative and delicious. Miniature white pumpkins sit like little ghosts here and there inside the house and their large luminous cousins are piled on the porch along with a peach-colored French heirloom Galeux d’Eysines pumpkin covered with tan woody bumps that look like spooky warts. Like kittens, I’ve never found a pumpkin I didn’t love or want to bring home.
Because of early rains this month, the maple trees, oaks and liquid amber (sweet gum) trees in the Sierra foothills have been a cause for celebration. The array of colors has transformed the tired greens of late summer into jaw-dropping oranges, yellows, and reds. This October the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce published a self-guided walking tour of a variety of trees in and around the town’s historic downtown that display colorful autumn foliage.
My sister Kim and I celebrated our birthdays this month along with two wonderful neighbors on our block and our son Hayden. October birthdays somehow feel extra special to me because the month is filled with color and signs of change. Yards are decorated with all manner of ghosts and goblins; and for some reason I cannot explain, a black spider has taken up residence in my mailbox. Sweaters and neck scarves are perfect on days when morning lows are in the upper 40s, while blankets and a down comforter keep me warm at night. In the early morning hours, the crisp air smells of wood fires, and throughout the daylight hours the light is luminous.
For my 80th birthday, Kim flew in from San Antonio and was able to share a week of gorgeous October fall weather and plenty of colorful fall foliage. On chilly afternoons we warmed ourselves with cups of red pepper and yellow pepper pear soups after visits with Kit. The dining room and kitchen were filled with baskets of assorted squashes, peppers and pumpkins that will be turned into nourishing soups into November. And in the refrigerator there are Honey Crisp apples chilling for slicing and pairing with assorted cheeses and a dollop of homemade fig jam.
Last Saturday, our neighbors Carol and Jim hosted a gathering neighbors to celebrate the five among us who have October birthdays. A delicious assortment of hors d’oeuvres, spicy tortilla soup, salad, a potato and onion casserole, a carrot cake as well as a pumpkin cake, brownies, wine, and toasts were shared by all as a fire blazed in the hearth that rainy evening. The glow from the gathering will remain a cozy October memory that will keep us all warm across the winter months ahead.
A continent away, our son Hayden flew to London to celebrate his 59th October birthday with his wife Ana, our granddaughter Catalina, and our niece Kashya. In a Facetime chat with Kit and me, Hayden recalled a photograph taken on his 18th birthday during his first semester at Brown University in Providence, RI. Kit had paid him a surprise visit that Hayden described as his happiest birthday memory. I found and shared the photograph with them both— a glowing father and son, arm in arm, surrounded by piles of autumn leaves that covered the ground at their feet.
Over 60 years ago, writer and cartoonist James Thurber wrote “There are two kinds of light—the glow that illuminates and the glare that obscures.” This Halloween night, our circle of neighbors will gather across the road from our driveway with lanterns and luminarias glowing as we welcome Trick-or-Treaters while keeping warm with cups of hot mulled wine and frosted pumpkin cookies. Memorable moments from the World Series will be replayed yet again, and before long politics will take over the conversation. May the warm glow that has filled this past October illuminate our way and help obscure the glare from challenges that arise in days and months ahead.