Ancient Romans celebrating the Feast of PumpkinSpiceus
Thought for the Week
Welcome to October, the eighth month of the year.
Wait. What?
October takes its name from the Latin number eight. Why? Because the ancient Roman Calendar, credited to Romulus (brother of Remus who told all those charming Br’er Rabbit stories), had only ten months. And, no, it wasn’t because Rome’s founders were raised on fermented wolf’s milk, it was because their feet were only ten inches long and they were very touchy about the subject, so they compensated by basing everything on the number ten.
Which was great, since it got rid of the two coldest months of the year! I mean, who doesn’t wish the later Romans had never stumbled across January and February buried in the snow somewhere north of Buffalo, New York, and added them to the calendar? And now we’re supposed to just freeze our togas off taking down Christmas lights in the snow? Thanks a lot, Marcus Inconsideratus!
And another thing…
Autumn starts in October! Ol’ number seven, September, has claimed to contain the start of autumn ever since they kicked it out of summer, but just look at the thermometer while you’re batting mosquitos away from your hot cocoa in September and tell me it’s fall, hah! September is a liar!
October’s new official name in the United States is Pumpkin Spice, by the way (marking a personal triumph for that previously rejected wannabe member of the Spice Girls). Unlike, say, curry in India or salsa in Mexico, pumpkin spice is used not only to flavor many American foods, but is now actually legally required in all American foods…
With the curious exception of pumpkins.
Wow, so much ancient history I apparently missed while I wasted all that time in college! Have a blessed week Mitch and watch out for that pumpkin spice in your scrambled eggs!
Thanks, Pete!
Thank you for a wonderful smile to start me week, Mitch. Happy October…er, Pumpkin Spice.
;>)
I was not aware of all this….
I live to teach.
:))
Whatever you call it, it’s the most glorious month in Iowa!
Happy October!
I love the drawing 🙏
Wonderful October wisdom!
Nice 😊
Humanity switched to the 12 month calendar when twelve-fingered aliens landed and asserted their influence on the naive earth populace. I’ve written all about it. I’ve never had a pumpkin spice beverage. It all sounds gross to me.
Thanks for clarifying, Jeff.
I didn’t know October’s new official name in the United States was Pumpkin Spice. i just thought it was National Pumpkin Spice Month.
One of the reasons I read your stuff here is to learn the important things they failed to teach me in school. 😁
And to be reminded that pumpkin spice is God’s gift to bland coffee. 🙂
You’re welcome, Scott. ;>)
The pumpkin spice invasion has begun far too early here in the south. My friend Chrissy, a gluten-free baker by trade, has announced that any temps beginning with the number eight or higher are in the “no pumpkin spice” zone for her. Alas, we may not see pumpkin spice anything from her until Thanksgiving…
That’s just wrong! ;>)
Here in Kentucky, we are even getting up to 90⁰F (32⁰C) today, October 4. However, before anyone goes blaming global warming, let the alarmists check out https://co2coalition.org/.
More people die from cold than from heat every year! And the trend is cooler over the long term.
😂