Opinion

Carrie Classon’s, “Blue Yarn: A Memoir,” is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine stores. Learn more at CarrieClasson.

Although winter isn’t set to begin until Dec. 21, the air is already filled with the crisp change of colder weather. As the days get shorter and the night air sends a chill through the atmosphere, I know as a parent that it’s time to close the door and spend most of my time indoors.

When working diligently at your job, have you felt yourself fall more into the character, or personality, that fits it better? If you’re a soldier, have you become braver? If you’re a government official, have you become more open to ideas? If you’re a salesman, have you become more persuasive?

Lately, things have been a bit unsteady, crazy, maybe even a little stressful. These feelings usually come close to the holiday season and sometimes even on the day itself. For instance, last Christmas, our water pipe busted in the front yard while simultaneously having the furnace go out. It can be hard to be grateful for the things in your life when you’re stuck warming up the living room with a space heater and no running water on Christmas morning.

Ever since falling in love with putting an idea on paper, cultivating stories, embracing deep-rooted emotions, and conveying them in a format to file away or to share with others, I’ve worked for this moment. I have reached the precipice of my destiny.

Carrie Classon’s, “Blue Yarn: A Memoir,” is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine stores. Learn more at CarrieClasson.

With the spirit of Halloween in the air and little ghosts and ghouls going out for a show stopping candy-clutching night of fun, I wanted to find the answer to a long-dated question. Where does magic come from, and how can people keep the spirit of togetherness alive within a community?

Loving Halloween didn’t always come naturally to me. Growing up, my grandma Day convinced me to watch Child’s Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Conjuring – all at the peak of my preteen years. Some say too early to be introduced to such gore and chaos; and it probably was. Goosebumps, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Secret at Mystic Lake: Nancy Drew Diaries kept me up all hours of the night reading and afraid.

Thinking about giving the outside of your house a fresh paint job? The color you choose can have a big impact on how energy efficient your home can be. Homeowners in warmer climates that choose a lighter color can increase their light reflective value (LRV). (Pure black measures 0% LRV; pure white measures 100%.) By choosing a lighter tint, you reflect light away and your home uses less energy to stay cool. For homes in predominantly colder climates, a darker color can help absorb heat and reduce heating costs.

My sister sends a text, telling me she is making lasagna, and asks if I will bring a cake. “Sounds great!” I readily agree.