Epilogues: October 2025
Every October is a showboat. Not just every month boasts warty gourds, pumpkin-scented toilet paper, and toddlers dressed as Beetlejuice. But October 2025, you turned the fabulous up to ten.
Willow is not weeping
With apologies to those groovy long-haired trees in your backyard, the best Willow does not weep. The best Willow is so busy, she barely has time to sleep.
Surely
A cynic is nothing but a broken heart with scar tissue. Don’t tell them I told you. They might not like the implication: that they can heal. Just listen when they claim that nothing in life is certain. Listen, then tell them the story of Shirley.
In the circle of souls
At middle school dances, there is sometimes an unscripted moment that makes the awkward years worthwhile. Without command or choreography, the scared and scattered youth form a circle around one of their own. Instead of becoming afraid, the tween at the center becomes a dancer.
They are all saints
Halloween has its charms, but the cats are really amped about November. This is not because they have 364 days until the next time we dress them up as pumpkins and aliens. It’s because November 1st is All Saints Day, and cats are all saints, all the time.
Hall O’ Wheeeeeeeeeeee-in’
This is not a test. This is not a drill. This is certainly not a dress rehearsal. This is Halloween, on a Friday.
Forever Loved: Olivia
The smallest trees can hold the sweetest nests. With no fanfare or bluster, one little olive tree sheltered many birds.
Forever Loved: Pixie
Every face on Earth is a face you could love, given enough time. But there are faces so kind, love outruns time.
Inzestments
You do not need to shout to be heard. You do not need to meet expectations to find love racing down the road to meet you. And you do not need to be orange to be a “marmalade cat.”