Month: October 2025

This week I am Grateful for…

196. Apple Picking & Cider Donuts

197. Hot Chocolate Nights

198. Sweater Season

199. Walks at Dusk

200. Monarch Butterflies

196: Apple Picking & Cider Donuts

‘Tis the season for apple picking! Last year, I went four times — and somehow, each trip felt better than the last. Yesterday, I revisited one of my favorite orchards, surrounded by rows of crisp apples, good company, and the irresistible smell of freshly made cider donuts. Warm, sugary, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They’re a fall dream. Let’s just say the next few days will be filled with apple-inspired recipes (apple crisp is first on the list!).

197: Hot Chocolate Nights

Temperatures dipped into the 50s and 40s this week, and I couldn’t resist making a cozy cup of hot cocoa — topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder, of course. There’s something so comforting about sipping hot chocolate on the couch while watching a movie. I’m fully embracing fall in all its glory.

198: Sweater Season

For the past four days, I’ve been living in warm sweaters and loving every second of it. There’s just something about slipping into a soft, warm sweater on a cool fall day that makes life feel a little slower, a little sweeter.

199: Walks at Dusk

 

One of my favorite times of day is right before sunset. This week, I went for a quiet walk at dusk and was struck by how peaceful everything felt. People hurried home, the horizon glowed with orange light, and fall leaves shimmered like fire. I passed 2 houses where they had just turned on their TV, heard birds singing their last songs of the day, and even saw a few bats swooping through the air. It was simple and a little bit magical.

200: Monarch Butterflies

There’s something about butterflies that instantly calms my mind. This week, I spotted a monarch fluttering from flower to flower at a nearby park. The moment was brief, but it brought an unexpected smile a gentle reminder for me to pause and notice the small wonders around me.

Weekly Spotlight: What Makes the Happiest Countries So Happy?

This week’s highlight is a mini documentary exploring why Denmark and Finland consistently rank among the happiest countries in the world — and how they compare to life in the U.S. I found it fascinating and worth the watch:
🎥 Why Finland and Denmark Are So Happy

This week I am grateful for…

186. Cider Donuts 🍩

187. Bald Eagles in Flight 🦅

188. Woken Up by a Rooster 🐓

189. Fall Foliage 🍂

190. Starry Nights ✨

191. A Sunset Over Cayuga Lake 🌅

192. A Sweet Ice Cream Mix-Up 🍨

193. A 5K and a Humbling Win 🏃🏽‍♂️

194. Teaching at a Community College 🎓

195. A Powerful Read

Last weekend, my partner and I took a trip to Ithaca, New York for Apple Fest! It was everything fall should be: cozy, colorful, and full of good food and good company. Along the way, there were so many small moments that made me pause and smile. Here are a few that stood out.

#186: Cider Donuts

We found ourselves waiting in a long line at an Amish vendor’s stand — always a good sign. The wait was worth every minute. Those warm, freshly made cider donuts were crispy on the outside, soft and sugary on the inside, and so good that the first bite almost brought tears to my eyes. Pure fall comfort.

#187: Bald Eagles in Flight 🦅

On our drive to Ithaca, about two hours from town, I spotted two bald eagles soaring high above the trees. There’s something about seeing a bird of prey in flight that fills me with awe. For some reason, I always seem to spot eagles in the fall, maybe nature’s way of reminding me to look up more often.

#188: Woken Up by a Rooster 🐓

Our Airbnb came with a charming (and early!) alarm clock — a rooster from the neighbor’s yard. It was oddly refreshing to wake up that way. The neighbors had chickens, and our host shared fresh eggs with us. They were some of the best eggs I’ve had in a long time.

#189: Fall Foliage 🍂

The colors in upstate New York were absolutely stunning — deeper reds, brighter oranges, and golden yellows that lit up the hillsides. Here in Massachusetts, peak foliage hasn’t hit yet, but I can’t wait. Each fall, I try to stop and really take in the colors, reminding myself that if I’m lucky, I have maybe 60 more autumns in my lifetime. That thought helps me appreciate the season even more deeply.

#190: Stars in the Night ✨

One of my favorite surprises was the night sky. With little light pollution in upstate NY, the stars were bright and clear! It was a bright as I remember growing up in Western Kenya. Back then, the moon and stars were so bright they could light your path on a clear night. Seeing bright stars again brought back a quiet kind of nostalgia.

#191: A Sweet Ice Cream Mix-Up 🍨

At one ice cream shop, my sundae order got mixed up. The staff apologized and told me to keep both — the one they made by mistake and the one I originally wanted. Let’s just say I’m hoping for more ice cream mix-ups in the future.

#192: A Sunset Over Cayuga Lake 🌅

We caught a breathtaking sunset over Cayuga Lake that turned the sky into shades of orange and gold. The photo I took below doesn’t do it justice, but the moment itself, standing there, watching the light fade, is one I’ll remember.

#193: A 5K and a Humbling Win 🏃🏽‍♂️

I ran a 5K this week and somehow ended up being the fastest in my age group. It felt good — though I couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, “Not bad for a grandpa!” A humbling but fun moment that reminded me progress is something to celebrate, no matter the scale.

#194: Teaching at a Community College 🎓

Teaching this semester has been one of the most rewarding parts of my weeks lately. Each class helps me grow — in communication, improvisation, and public speaking. Breaking down complex topics in a way that connects with students is deeply fulfilling. I’m reminded that teaching is just as much about learning.

#195: A Powerful Read 📚

I recently finished Play the Game, Change the Game, Leave the Game by Dr. Robert Livingston — a thought-provoking and empowering book on leadership and Black empowerment. It left me feeling inspired, proud, and re-energized to keep growing and making an impact.

Weekly Highlight 💭

This week’s quote gave me something to reflect on:

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
— G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain

I’m not sure I completely agree, but it’s a reminder of how strength, resilience, and comfort often exist in cycles. It’s food for thought — especially during times of change.

What brought you Joy this week?