John Boyne is the author of 2 dozen books. I have read two; The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas and All the Broken Places. Boyne has had his share of controversy as well (read about it here), but I thought his latest novel, though disturbing, an amazing book. Here is my book review The Elements by John Boyne.
Four Connecting Stories
Unlike many novels that run parallel stories to further the plot, Boyne creates four seemingly separate stories in The Elements. But as the book builds so does the connections between the protagonists in the four stories. Through each story runs a theme…not a pleasant one. Often disturbing the book will look at abuse in ways I have never seen in a novel before.
The Abuser and The Abused
Boyne explores pedophilia and those who look the other way. He tackles incest and suicide. We will see a brilliant athlete, violently abused as a child, get involved in a rape and cover up. And a twist on abuse will be a female abuser of young boys, who uses her own horrific childhood tragedy to justify her actions. These stories are presented separately, but a thread of abuse and characters will connect the stories. Finally we will meet a single father raising a son, protecting him fiercely all while keeping his own secrets of his youth.
Happy Ending?
I wouldn’t call this a happy ending, so much as a bit of redemption for all the lives affected over generations of abuse. There is some happy moments in the end, but only when communication is opened up and truths are revealed.
Though difficult and disturbing these are topics often swept under the rug, a practice that only creates more sorrow for victims. I thought the book was really well done, interesting and engaging, even with the sexual abuse story line. Thank you for reading my book review The Elements by John Boyne.
It’s not too early to start to plan your fall visit to beautiful New England for the fall foliage. I really enjoyed our visit to four states for leaf peeping, incredible food, hiking and fabulous hospitality. With the popularity of fall in the Northeastern USA on the rise, don’t wait to make your plans for 2026.
A hard but gorgeous hike in New Hampshire – Frankenstein Cliffs
My Favorites
In October 2025 we visited New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Upstate New York. Each was beautiful, sunny and a perfect picture postcard of fall. There are many, many places to stay and eat, as well as things to do. But for the purposes of this post, I will share the things we enjoyed and recommend. I will also share some fabulous photos – I took thousands of photos!!
Something amazing at every turn in New Hampshire
Albany Covered Bridge
Sunny and Colorful
New Hampshire
We had such a great time in New Hampshire. Even though we arrived a few days past peak of color (changes annually – see this handy guide here) but we were NOT disappointed. We had fantastic weather and the colors were still mind-blowing. Our time was spent in the Conway area which is insanely popular. I highly recommend planning your visit for a weekday or two, not on a weekend. We gave up trying to do anything on a Saturday because of the crowds, and came back on Sunday and Monday to see the sights. Luckily we had the time to do that.
Arethusa Falls
Arethusa Falls Trail
Artist Point
Mount Washington Resort is open for non guests to visit
Don’t miss Franconia Notch State Park (especially the Flume and the Basin Cascade Pools), Kancamagus Highway, Artists Point, Bretton Woods Gondola, Arethusa Falls- Frankenstein Cliffs and Mount Washington Resort. Learn more at Visit New Hampshire.
We stayed in the small town of Glen about 15 minutes from Conway. We loved The Covered Bridge House Bed and Breakfast. The hosts were amazing, the breakfasts were delicious and the riverside location was peaceful. I would definitely stay here again.
Perfect accommodations at The Covered Bridge House Bed and Breakfast
Morning coffee by the river
The property includes this historic covered bridge which houses a gift shop
The best food we had in New Hampshire was at the nearby White Mountain Cider Company. Reservations are a must, and book early during this very busy time of year. It is a very special place, small and quaint and the food and service were outstanding.
Highly recommend the White Mountain Cider Company
Fall is in the air at the White Mountain Cider Company
Vermont
The color in Vermont was also fabulous, and the area we stayed near Lake Champlain was rural and peaceful. Before arriving in our rural destination we spent several hours in Stowe. We enjoyed the old town, did some shopping and picture taking. Then we rode the gondola at the Stowe ski resort to enjoy the expansive view and finished with a wonderful late lunch at The Alpine Hall in the ski village. The short, free gondola ride from the main gondola over to the ski village was a bonus!
Stowe Vermont
Gorgeous day in Stowe Vermont
We really enjoyed this gondola and the view from the Stowe Mountain Resort
After settling into our Inn we took several long drives to enjoy the bucolic region, walked along Lake Champlain in the small town of Saint Albans, and mostly just relaxed. Our accommodations at The Inn at Buck Hollow were more rustic than New Hampshire, but still comfortable, and the breakfast was delicious.
Inn at Buck Hollow Farm sits on 400 acres
Tiny Saint Albans
Enjoying the area around Lake Champlain
Bucolic views everywhere we looked
Don’t miss: Cold Hollow Cider Mill, the towns of Stowe and Woodstock, The Vermont Country Store in Rockingham, and Saint Albans. Learn more at Visit Vermont
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Woodstock Vermont
Vermont Country Store
New York
Two places in New York State really made an impression on us, and I would return to both.
Lake Placid
It’s hard to believe this tiny town managed to hold two Olympic Games (1932 and 1980) but it did. We enjoyed a short visit to this colorful place with the peaceful lake. We had an outstanding breakfast at The Breakfast Club and did some shopping in the small town. Definitely worth a visit.
Beautiful church in Lake Placid
Can’t get more placid than that!
Cold Spring / Beacon
Our visit to Cold Spring and Beacon was to attend a wedding so we had limited time for sightseeing. However this small town was a perfect little package. Multiple amazing restaurants, lots of unique and eclectic shops, beautiful fall color and a fantastic location right on the Hudson River.
Cold Spring Depot
Cold Spring on the Hudson
Because of the wedding we did not have time to see many sights, but highly recommended is Mount Beacon for hiking, Bannerman Island for history and the tour of West Point (which is right across the Hudson). Learn more at visit New York.
Cold Spring
View of Hudson River from Boscobel House in Beacon
We are lucky to have friends in Maine and we enjoy visiting them (see Ogunquit Maine – My Favorite Things). But we had never been to Maine in the fall. We were not disappointed. Sunny and cool and sometimes windy, we enjoyed visiting Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farms for a burst of fall color, some bird watching and history too.
Wells Reserve at Laudholm is a great place to walk
Historic farm at Wells Reserve at Laudholm
Farm stand in Ogunquit
We visited Kennebunkport town, somewhere we had not been before. This historic port city (home to the Bush Family) is full of fabulous shops and restaurants and can be very busy on a weekend. We had a marvelous lunch (lobster roll of course) at The Boathouse right on the harbor.
Lots of shops on the seaside in Kennebunkport
Lots of great shops
Love Lobster in Maine and this Lobster Roll at The Boathouse in Kennebunkport did not disappoint.
We drove about 45 min north to Portland Maine. Maine’s largest city is home to about 70,000. Over the past decade Portland has emerged from a sometimes grimy port city to a fresh and thriving tourist destination, while keeping its fishing and lobster roots. There are many wonderful shops to peruse, beautiful views and museums too. And food…so many restaurants. We had a marvelous dinner at Solo Italiano right near the port.
Portland Harbor
Exceptional Drinks and Food at Solo Italiano in Portland Maine
Octopus at Solo Italiano
Time to Plan New England in the Fall
We planned our road trip for fall color about 8 months in advance. Starting in New Hampshire, crossed over to Vermont, looped down to New York and back up to Maine. We had our own car since we were on a larger road trip, but you could easily do a similar itinerary flying into any of the NYC Airports, Boston or Portland.
Portland Maine
There is much more you could consider when you decide to find Time to Plan New England in the Fall. MUCH more. But for us, our visit was everything we had hoped for and we would definitely go again.
Thanks for reading my post Time to Plan New England in the Fall. Happy Fall Y’all! Nothing like basking in the reds and golds of fall before winter descends.
Historic Boscobel House on the Hudson River in Beacon NY
What’s next? We are heading next week to a 16 day European Christmas Market Tour! Follow our journey at our Instagram account for daily updates. Thanks for following along…we are grateful when you share, pin and comment on our travel posts.
R.F. Kuang was only 19 years old when she published her first novel The Poppy Wars. I discovered her only recently. She has had several books since her debut. I have read two. Yellowface, which I listened to on Audible and found it to be annoying, and Babel which I am reviewing today and enjoyed a lot. Here is my Book Review Babel by R.F. Kuang.
Speculative History
I enjoy the genre of Speculative History, the re-imaging of historical events with a “what if” twist. Often these novels have a magical theme or fantasy theme. Kuang has written several novels that fall into the fantasy theme, including Babel.
I will admit the first quarter or so of this book I couldn’t really grasp what was going on…but once I realized this wasn’t historical fiction, rather re-imagined, it began to make sense.
Oxford 1830
A young Chinese boy is taken to England from Canton to be raised and educated by a wealthy man. The boy takes the English name of Robin Swift. He lives a strange life of intense study often being paraded by his benefactor as Chinese student lucky to be in England. When Robin comes of age, and without any warning, he is enrolled into the Royal Institute of Translation at Oxford.
Silver
Robin’s only friends at the Institute are three other’s who don’t fall into the white male category; a boy from India and two women. Their differences bind them together. But they begin to learn how silver has manipulated everything in British society and created vast wealth, power and colonialism. Through the secretive and magical power of silver, the students become tangled in a dangerous effort to usurp the hierarchy and take control.
Book Review Babel by R.F. Kuang
Some of this book I found fascinating and engaging, particularly as I began to unravel some of the hidden secrets in the story. The amount of research that must have been done to write such an epic novel is incredible. But there were parts I also found fault in, a lot of violence and coincidence. I wasn’t particularly fond in most of the characters.
But if you like history, and fantasy, and a grand saga you might like Babel. Thank you for reading my book review Babel by R.F. Kuang.
Iconic American roads are famous for some fun and crazy roadside attractions. Everything from the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Kansas to Cadillac Ranch in Texas. See a full list here. Since we have driven across the USA multiple times, we have visited some of these quirky and unexpected sites. So on our recent return drive from Maine to Washington State, we visited four more. Here are our suggestions for Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90.
SPAM Museum, Austin Minnesota
Interstate 90
On our 6 previous cross-country road trips we have wandered around multiple interstates, back roads and the iconic Route 66. But for the purpose of this round trip cross country drive we stuck pretty close to Interstate 90. I-90 is an amazing interstate system that starts in Seattle and ends in Boston Massachusetts. It’s well maintained, and despite parts of the interstate being in wide open and sparsely populated regions, it is safe.
I-90 Starts in Seattle Washington
History of Roadside Attractions
When I was a kid we drove from Seattle to the Redwood Forests and my clearest memory of that trip is a giant Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe! I don’t really remember the trees! US road travel has always been part of the culture, and US entrepreneurs have cashed in on this for generations. Here is what Wikipedia says about the history of roadside attractions;
When long-distance road travel became practical and popular in the 1920s, entrepreneurs began building restaurants, motels, coffee shops, cafes, and unusual businesses to attract travelers.[4][5] Many of the buildings were attractions in themselves in the form of novelty architecture, depicting everyday objects of enormous size, typically relating to the items sold there.[6] Some other types of roadside attractions include monuments and fictionalized-paranormal/illusionary amusements such as the Mystery Spot near Santa Cruz, California,[7] or curiosities such as The Thing? along Interstate 10 in Arizona.[8]
With the construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950s, many roadside attractions were bypassed and quickly went out of business.[5] Some remained attractive enough to divert travelers from the interstate for a brief respite and thus remain in business. (Wikipedia)
An iconic old gas station on Route 66, 2016.
Some Quirky and Some Not
In this post today I’m sharing four US Roadside Attractions we visited on our return trip. Two are a bit quirky, and two were fascinating. Here is our list;
Jolly Green Giant
If you grew up in the USA in the 1960’s, the Jolly Green Giant TV Commercial and jingle were part of daily life. The Jolly Green Giant brand of canned and frozen vegetables created the iconic symbol in 1928. The 55 foot fiberglass statue of The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth Minnesota, right on I-90, was created in 1978. It attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year, including me and my husband in September.
Jolly Green Giant, Blue Earth Minnesota
SPAM Museum
How this humble meat in a square can became an icon around the world is the story you will learn at the SPAM Museum in Austin Minnesota. I was pleasantly surprised by this fun, colorful, interesting, educational and FREE museum. Located in the heart of the historic community of Austin. SPAM (an acronym for Spiced Ham) is manufactured by the Hormel Company. George Hormel founded Hormel Foods which today owns multiple well-known products under many other brand names, such as Applegate, Columbus Craft Meats, Herdez, Jennie-O, Planters, SKIPPY, and WHOLLY.
The museum is colorful and fun and kids would love it. There are multiple interactive activities as well as recipes, history, science, a gift shop and free samples! Over 100,000 people visit each year. I really enjoyed our visit and recommend it highly.
SPAM Museum Austin Minnesota
SPAM was a staple food during WWII
Island nations love SPAM . Guam consumes more SPAM than any other place in the world
Monty Python helped bring SPAM into the psyche with humor
The Corn Palace
I arrived at The Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota having done zero research and expecting something tacky and kitschy. Absolutely not. We were astonished. It is so much more than a tacky tourist attraction…it is the center of the lovely small historic farming town of Mitchell.
The Corn Palace website describes the history as;
Eight years before the turn of the 20th century, in 1892 (when Mitchell, South Dakota was a small, 12-year-old city of 3,000 inhabitants) the World’s Only Corn Palace was established on the city’s Main Street. During it’s over 100 years of existence, it has become known worldwide and now attracts more than a half a million visitors annually.
The palace was conceived as a gathering place where city residents and their rural neighbors could enjoy a fall festival with extraordinary stage entertainment – a celebration to climax a crop-growing season and harvest. This tradition continues today with the annual Corn Palace Festival held in late August each year.
Some 500,000 tourists come from around the nation each year to see the uniquely designed corn murals. The city’s first Corn Palace was built as a way to prove to the world that South Dakota had a healthy agricultural climate. (Corn Palace Website)
I was astonished by the beauty of the interior performing and sporting venue, as well as the annually-changed exterior murals made of corn and corn byproducts. More than 500,000 people visit the Corn Palace each year. I highly recommend a visit to the Worlds Only Corn Palace when in South Dakota.
Exterior of the Corn Palace, Mitchell South Dakota
Gorgeous interior for sports and arts at the Corn Palace
Exterior Murals are changed annually
Mural theme for 2026 is Wonders of the World
Wall Drug
One of the most famous USA roadside attractions is in the small town of Wall South Dakota, where more than 2 million people a year visit Wall Drug. And to think it all started with free ice water in 1931.
The depression was raging, offering something free…even water…was unheard of. But Wall Drug founder Theodore “Ted” Hustead, took a chance. He used free ice water and catchy roadside signs to lure visitors on their way to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. And today, millions of people follow in those same tracks. Today the sprawling complex is a bit tourist kitsch, with tsotskys and old West theme. But, especially for kids, there is a lot of fun to be had. We had a cup of the iconic 5-cent coffee (it was good), walked around on a chilly October day and smiled at the wide range of crazy sights from a giant Jack Rabbit to a T Rex. Something for everyone in Wall Drug, Wall South Dakota.
Silly Wall Drug, South Dakota
Touristy trinkets, clothing and art available for purchase in Wall Drug
If I was asked what author I might sit down with and have a beer – I do think I would chose Ken Follett. He is an absolute master and I am a huge fan particularly of his historical fiction. He also is prolific, with over 35 books written since his debut novel The Big Needle in 1974. A hero in my book world – I adore the Kingsbridge series. And his latest work is just as brilliant. Here is my book review Circle of Days by Ken Follett.
Stonehenge
Have you been to Stonehenge (estimated to have begun in 3100 BC) I have been twice and it is the kind of place where you have to remind yourself its not fake. Not Disney. Like the Pyramids of Egypt (2700 BC) or Gobekli Tepe Turkiye built in 9500 BC, Stonehenge challenges our minds with the how? How could ancient peoples with no mechanical equipment have created this?
In the Circle of Day, Ken Follett imagines it for us in an engaging and beautiful novel full of Follett’s signature intrigue and angst. True to form we encounter good and evil, love and religion and most of all, hope.
Characters
In an era where hard work and ingenuity is what it takes to survive, we meet Seft. Born to a flint miner family but talented and capable to be more. He is brilliant with the mind of an engineer. At the Midsummer’s Festival he falls in love with Neen from a herder family. Despite their different classes, they find a way to become a family.
Neen’s sister Joia knows she is destined for something…something great. Her mother sees it too. And when the Midsummer Monument is set ablaze by warring factions, Joia knows her destiny. She will become a High Preistess and dedicate her life to creating giant stone monument.
Factions and Fractures
The work will take decades and as a drought ravages the land, the once peaceful region will be plagued with violence between the farmers, herders and woodlanders. It is a time of great sorrow, hunger and uncertainty. Can hard work, perseverance and love conquer all?
Follett Formula
Follett certainly has a formula, and although a bit predictable I was still on the edge of my seat as we rooted for the good guys and cursed the bad. A remarkable book and a must read for 2026. If you haven’t been to Stonehenge, you will certainly want to visit after reading Circle of Days by Ken Follett.
As I write this post the Los Angeles Dodgers have just taken the 2025 World Series. Happy for them, despite being a Seattle Mariners fan. It was heartbreaking to have the Seattle Mariners get so close this year…the only Major League team to never have made it to the World Series. But I digress. Because on our amazing cross country USA road trip, we made a detour to Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York. And we were very glad we did.
Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown New York
Cooperstown New York
We arrived in Cooperstown on a beautiful, sunny fall day, in mid October. The leaves were beautiful and the wind off Lake Otsego was crisp. This surprisingly pretty little town is surrounded by rural farmland, and is known for apples, berries, corn, wheat, hay and more. The summer months bring many tourists for the lake and boating opportunities. But why in the world is the National Baseball Hall of Fame in this tiny town seemingly in the middle of nowhere?
Cooperstown sits on the south shore of Lake Otsego
Why Cooperstown?
This was my first question, particularly when I realized Cooperstown is definitely off the beaten path. So I went to my trusty source Wikipedia and here is what I learned;
The Hall of Fame was established in 1939 by Stephen Carlton Clark, heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune. Clark sought to bring tourists to the village hurt by the Great Depression, which reduced the local tourist trade, and Prohibition, which devastated the local hops industry. Clark constructed the Hall of Fame’s building, which was dedicated on June 12, 1939. (His granddaughter, Jane Forbes Clark, is the current chairman of the board of directors.) The mythology that future Civil War hero Abner Doubledayinvented baseball in Cooperstown in the 1830s was instrumental in the placement and early marketing of the Hall. (Wikipedia)
So then, the answer is – it was myth, money and influence.
National Baseball Hall of Fame is a non-profit organzation
Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame
Baseball. It’s as American as it gets. As James Earl Jones said in the 1989 film “Field of Dreams” ;
Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki recently inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
Babe Ruth – Bambino
“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and could be good again,”
Babe Ruth was one of five of the original inductees in 1936
And though the United States is a bit of train wreck right now…baseball helps pull us together. And that is why you should visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Plan at least three hours and four would be better. The museum has a fascinating collection of artifacts and tells a great historical story. In addition I found the video clips very entertaining. There is a small section on women’s baseball, as well as sections on Caribbean Islands and Japanese connection to the Major Leagues. Guided tours are also available.
Hank Aaron was inducted in 1982
Costumes from the movie A League of Their Own
Joe DiMaggio was inducted in 1955
Hall of Fame
At the end of the museum you will find yourself in the Baseball Hall of Fame, with plaques for all 351 Hall of Fame inductees, including Seattle Mariner greats Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar MartÃnez, Ichiro Suzuki, and Randy Johnson.
Seattle Favorite Edgar Martinez inducted in 2019
Seattle Favorite Ken Griffey, Jr. was the first Mariner to be inducted in 2016
Seattle Favorite Ichiro Suzuki is the most recent inductee, 2025
Although Randy Johnson was inducted as an Arizona Diamondback in 2015, he was a longtime favorite in Seattle
Tickets are available online and prices are reasonable. Hours change slightly seasonally so learn more at National Baseball Hall of Fame. There are several restaurants and hotels near the museum, and if you have time, Cooperstown is a lovely place. Learn more and plan your visit at This is Cooperstown.
Restaurants and businesses in Cooperstown keep with the baseball theme
Historic downtown Cooperstown
“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way” – Babe Ruth
You can learn a lot from baseball. It’s both a team and an individual sport. And it’s about strategy and perseverance. Baseball is a childhood backyard right of passage and an adult favorite with a hot dog, family and friends. It’s a father and son having a catch and it’s a grand slam in the 9th inning. It’s part of our history and culture. America’s beloved pastime.
Hilarious and heart warming I fully expect a movie. It is so visual it will be a blockbuster I’m sure. Here is my book review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet
An Unforgettable Road Trip
Some road trips are planned, some just evolve. This one is a bit of both. But it’s the characters of this novel that really make it so wonderful. An eclectic group of unexpected people connected by circumstance and chance. And one orange tabby cat named Pancakes.
Comedy of Errors
What happens when you take one alcoholic sixty-three year old lottery winner and throw in two orphaned kids, an estranged daughter, his ex-wife who is marrying his best friend, a soap opera star and a multitude of other quirky characters along the way? Plus a cat who knows when people are going to die. Well this is The Road to Tender Hearts.
PJ Halliday
PJ is an unlikely protagonist of this story. He loves his family but ever since the death of his oldest daughter fifteen years ago nothing has gone right. His wife left him, he drinks too much, and his other daughter Sophie is fed up with him. But when a cat named Pancakes comes into his life he finds hope. PJ decides to drive from Massachusetts to Arizona to track down his high school sweetheart Michelle Cobb at the Tender Hearts Retirement Community.
The adventure is busting with heartfelt and hilarious moments, as well as several dead people (which Hartnett somehow also makes hilarious), and several police officers. The dark humor makes it laugh out loud and I enjoyed this story tremendously. You will have to read it to find out if everyone lives happily ever after.
Book Review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet
I envision someone like Tommy Lee Jones or maybe Bryan Cranston in the role of PJ Halliday. I hope it is a movie…but you gotta read the book first.
*****Five stars for The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet. Thanks for reading my book review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet. See last week’s book review A Family Matter by Claire Lynch.
We appreciate it so much when you comment, pin and share our book reviews. Thank you.
As an adult I look back on so many fond memories of my 1960’s and 70’s childhood, including Halloween. As soon as school began in September we began thinking about and planning for that big day. We always made our own costumes just from found things around the house…never sewing anything elaborate and NEVER purchasing anything from a store.
Halloween When I Was a Kid
Unfortunately my parents were not big photo takers so I have only one photo I know of, of me with my siblings on Halloween. That was the year my sister proclaimed she was going to be the Fairy Godmother and I was going to be Cinderella in rags. Okay fine. My brother was a “hippie” and my littlest brother was a cowboy. It was a time in life when it didn’t take a lot ot make us happy.
With my siblings, maybe around 1970
In high school and even college we celebrated the holiday with homemade costumes but the trick or treating gave way to parties. Here I’m sharing a few photos I pulled up from those days.
1979 College
1975 High SchoolAt my job 2005
1983 Newlyweds
Halloween When My Kids Were Little
When my kids were little I made their costumes most years and we had a lot of fun with Halloween as a family. In the 1990’s when my kids were young, trick or treating was still safe and the school always had a special event with costumes.
1988
19941987
1995
Today fewer kids wander the streets, but neighborhoods often have gatherings in safe places.
The History of Holidays
I’ve always been fascinated with how our holidays evolved into what we accept today as normal, ever since I discovered that Santa Claus is a fairly new invention. So I have over the years gathered lots of fun information about holiday rituals and their evolution.
Halloween Began 2000 Years Ago
The origin of Halloween can be traced 2000 years ago to the Celtic festival called Samhain. This festival was a celebration to ward off ghosts and included costumes and bonfires.
Ghosts were responsible for death and havoc
In the 8th Century Pope Gregory III declared that November 1st would be All Saints Day to remember all Catholic Saints and the Samhain festival the day before became known as All Hallows Eve.
November 1st was also considered the New Year to the Celts and was marked as the end of the harvest and bounty and the beginning of the dark days of winter, a time of hunger and death.
People believed black cats were witches in disguise
The Druids (Celtic Priests) gave the Celtic people guidance during this time, when all believed the ghosts were responsible for failed crops, poor health and bad weather. The Druids built bonfires and everyone dressed in costumes to scare away the ghosts. Crops and animals were sacrificed.
Rome, Of Course, Intervened
When the Romans conquered this region, the Samhain festival merged with Feralia, a Roman festival similar to Day of the Dead; and Pomona, a celebration of the apple harvest (assumed to be where bobbing for apples comes from).
Christianity
By the 9th century the Celtic lands had become Christian and the November 2nd Christian holiday All Souls Day merged with All Hallows Eve (Alholowmesse) and the costume tradition expanded.
Ritual bonfires helped ward off evil
Welcome to America
Colonial America celebrated this holiday, despite the New England Protestant objection due to the pagan origins. As immigrants from many nations came together, the American version of the holiday emerged.
Early Jack-o-lanterns were carved from turnips
Outdoor parties, bonfires, scary stories, fortune telling, pranks, games, music and dancing were all part of the early American celebration. By the early 1800’s most communities celebrated an Autumn festival but Halloween as we know it was still a ways away.
Irish Americans Bring the Tradition
As Irish immigrants flooded America in the late 19th century, with them came many of the traditions we today associate with Halloween in the USA. This included costumes, Trick-or-Treat for food or money, and the focus of the holiday became more about children.
Bobbing for apples is an ancient game still practiced today
But in the 1920’s and 30’s vandals hijacked the holiday with pranks and sometimes drunken violence and many gatherings stopped. By the 1950’s local towns redirected the holiday back to family-focused and encouraged family gatherings. Trick-or-Treating was revived.
Today’s Halloween
Small homemade treats gave way to store bought candy in the 1960’s when parents feared for their children eating anything they didn’t know the source of. Today 6 billion dollars are spent annually on Halloween and it is the biggest candy buying time of the year in the USA.
Halloween candy
Both children and adults dress up annually, with many adults wearing costumes to their jobs. Halloween parties for kids and adults happen in the weeks ahead of the actual Halloween night.
Halloween is the second biggest commercial holiday after Christmas in the USA.
And now you know – the history of Halloween.
We love it when you pin and share our blog. Happy Halloween!
I usually don’t use terms like “unputdownable”. But…this book. I almost finished it in one day and would have if my own personal family matters hadn’t gotten in the way. Here is my book review A Family Matter by Claire Lynch.
Changing Views on Love
Lynch brings us a story of love in 1982 in England and love in 2022 in England. She gently layers these two timelines to guide the reader through the nuances of societal changes and the wreckage left behind.
1982
We meet Dawn, dutiful wife and loving mother of toddler Maggie. Dawn goes about her life raising her child but also feeling like something is missing. She has played the game as women are supposed to; married, children, take care of the house. Things that are “normal” until she meets Hazel. Dawn and Hazel will have a connection that is unplanned but impossible to resist. Dawn is lost as how she should proceed given she loves her daughter.
2022
Maggie is now a grown woman with children of her own. Raised by her father after her mother abandoned her when she was four. Maggie and her Dad Heron are very close, always have been, given it was always just the two of them. But when Heron gets a cancer diagnosis, secrets begin to be shared – first covertly and then fully. Maggie is stung. Breathless. Lost. How has this information never been part of her life? How did she not know the truth of what really happened to her mother in 1982.
Beautiful
This story is so beautifully written, deep and powerful. Shameful things that unfortunately happened in a different era…with families paying the price for a lifetime.
*****Five stars for A Family Matter by Claire Lynch. Yes indeed it was “unputdownable”.
Our recent road trip took us through Cleveland Ohio, a city I had never been to. We happened to arrive on the day the Cleveland Guardians were playing in the MLB Wildcard series. The city was excited about that. But we had decided to make a stop in Cleveland for another reason. We came to see two specific things. So if you are planning a visit, here are two Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Cleveland
Cleveland is a big baseball town
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
So the first thing many people ask is why is the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland? Well it’s pretty simple, it’s about history and money. Cleveland, Ohio has some serious rock roots, including DJ Alan Freed coining the term “rock and roll” and holding the first rock concert. Cleveland also offered a substantial financial commitment for the museum’s construction and demonstrated significant public support with petitions and fundraising, winning out over other major cities in a national competition for the site.
Saturday Night Live Exhibit
The King
By the way, Cleveland recently changed the name of their MLB team from the Indians to the Guardians. My husband thinks they should have been called the Cleveland Rocks. You heard it here first.
Seattle has a big presence in rock history
And so does Cleveland
Why Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
You know, even though I’m not a huge country music fan, I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and loved it. My point is, even if you may not be a fan of all styles of rock and roll (Rockabilly, Blues Rock, Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock, and Indie Rock) you will find so much of interest. The museum provides in-depth history, costumes and videos, musical instruments and interviews, photos and of course music.
Hubs enjoying the “Garage” music room
As a person who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s my visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reminded me of many moments from my formative years. Things like the death of rock legends Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain. The famous rooftop performance by the Beatles. Michael Jackson’s monumental Moonwalk performance and so much more.
One of my favorites from my youth
My husband’s favorite
Although the museum does cover international performers like the Beatles and others, most of the story told at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about the USA. The museum looks at the shift that was taking place in the United States at the time and how the changing music of the era propelled the country in a new direction.
You probably recognize this…
During our visit we enjoyed dozens of permanent exhibits as well as some revolving exhibits. One recently opened exhibit looks at 50 Years of Saturday Night Live and how the performers on that weekly show mirrored the changing culture of the USA.
The museums hours change depending on the season so check the website. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a cashless operation. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time (as we did) or at the door by scanning a QR Code. Once in the door you are free to enjoy the museum as long as you like.
The Power of Rock
Parking is really bad in the area of the museum, so plan ahead to park in one of the pay lots near by. Or like us, get a hotel within walking distance.
During our visit in late September 2025 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was undergoing some expansion and construction to provide even more exhibits and a better experience.
A Christmas Story House
If you aren’t a fan of the classic 80’s movie A Christmas Story, then I don’t know if we can be friends. Okay just kidding. But A Christmas Story is such a family favorite in the Lund house. Why is it so popular? It balances the idealized nostalgia of Christmas with a witty and realistic portrayal of childhood and family life. The movie’s enduring appeal comes from its universal themes, a unique blend of humor and nostalgia, a memorable narration, and relatable characters that capture the authentic, sometimes chaotic, essence of the holiday season.
The house from A Christmas Story
The Old Man’s Olds
If You Know You Know… Fra-Gil-Ay
Take a Guided Tour
We purchased tickets online ahead of time to take a tour of the iconic house used in the movie. Our guide was excellent and provided so much fun information about how the house was chosen in Cleveland and how it became the museum it is today. During the months of November and December guided tours are not offered, because it is peak season. Self – guided tours of the house are available and tickets are available on line. See the website here.
Red Ryder BB Gun
It Was Soap Poisoning
Since the house became a tourist attraction, several other buildings in the neighborhood have been acquired to house a museum, a gift shop and the famous Bumpus House next door is now available for overnight visits.
He Looks Like a Pink Nightmare
The Old Man’s Major Award!
Oh My God I Shot My Eye Out!
Where to Stay and Eat
We only had one night in Cleveland and we stayed just a few blocks from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, at the Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown. It worked great. We also walked to have dinner at one of Cleveland’s highest rated restaurants, Cordelia. It was incredible and I highly recommend it. Located on historic 4th street, now a pedestrian only area near the baseball stadium. Don’t miss Cordelia.
Cordelia is one of Cleveland’s best
Unique take on Midwest cuisine
Historic 4th Street
Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss
I would have loved another day or two in this city, a place I had never been before. But we made the most of our short time in this historic Midwest town, and I am glad we did. If you have an upcoming visit to Cleveland, be sure to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Christmas Story House. Two very different experiences in Cleveland.
Long Live Rock
Thank you for reading my post Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss. See last week’s post One Day in Chicago Illinois. Be sure to come back soon for more fun from our USA Road Trip 2025.
We are so grateful when you help us fight the annoying algorithms and comment, pin and share our blog posts. You will never see ads on our blog. Never. So please subscribe and follow along.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
