From Latin for eight, October was indeed the 8th month, until the Julian calendar was adopted. It is national pizza month, with the astrological signs of both Libra and Scorpio. Those born in October are said to be intelligent and passionate and are blessed with hope and good fortune. However, for me, October is a very curious month because this year it’s filled with milestone birthdays!

On October 1, my mother would have turned 100, and she frequently said before she died that she and Jimmy Carter would celebrate together. (Of course, he made it.) Today, the 6th, is my father-in-law’s 100th heavenly birthday. Columbus Day is my eldest niece’s 50th birthday. Three days later is my other niece’s 40th birthday, and six days later is my eldest daughter’s 40th! Whew! Overwhelmed by zeros.

And just when I thought I was done buying birthday cards, one of my friends who recently moved into my guest house said, “As a Chicagoan, I love October’s Harvest Moon and the nip of frost in the air.”

“Welcome to Phoenix. Yes, there may be a Harvest moon, but frost is doubtful.”

She laughed and added, “It’s my birthday month, too!”

Ye Gods! I’m going to own a Hallmark store before this month is over! “What date is your birthday?”

“Halloween.”

I was at a loss for words. Halloween? An obnoxious barb was on the tip of my tongue. I paused and reconsidered. “Well, even though you’re not in the zero club, that’s cause for a big celebration!

“Sue, seventy-four is hardly a milestone birthday.”

“It certainly is!” (She need not know the cause of my exhilaration: the election would be over in five days. That is, if there’s not a two-peat insurrection.)