10 on the 10th: September 2023

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Hey, y’all, hey. How’re things in your neck of the woods? We’re doing well here. The heat has subsided to a small degree, so we’re all a bit more comfortable. We’re at about 90something degrees, which is a far cry from the triple digits we’ve been dealing with over the summer. I also found the most stunning black Miz Mooz boots that I cannot wait to wear. I got them to wear with all the prairie dresses and denim jackets that I’ll be wearing when the weather turns.

ABOUT 10 ON THE 10TH

10 on the 10th is hosted by Marsha at Marsha in the Middle. In the tradition of old school blogging, she’ll share a list of ten questions or prompts to help us get to know each other better. The linkup goes live on the tenth of the month.

THE PROMPT: “10 Things About September”

Tell us about your favorite nine letter word.
Geez, I had to count the letters in my words because what? LOL I don’t think I have a favorite word. I have a favorite phrase. And it’s a nine letter phrase. So let’s go with that. Cool beans. I say it all the time. In professional settings. In emails. Whenever I’m pleased, it just slips out. I’m not even sure when I started saying it, but it’s my thing.
Tell us about a song with September in the title.
If you don’t say “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, what are you even doing with your life? This song just makes me happy. I share this song from both my and the school’s social media accounts on the 21st of September. It used to be a whole thing on Twitter. You know, before it became that raggedy tail letter. Maybe Threads will carry on the tradition? As an alternate, when I’m feeling emo, I’ll put on September Song by JP Cooper and have a whole moment.
Tell us about a famous celebration that takes place in September.
First and foremost, September is Library Card Sign-up Month, so GO GET YOURSELF A LIBRARY CARD! Libraries across America could use your support, especially now, when so many are facing backlash from a minority of folks who do not understand or appreciate that if you do not like a book that is on a shelf at the library, they can simply bypass it and pick out another book and leave said book for someone else to read.
Tell us about your favorite pirate for International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th.
Ummmm, I don’t have a favorite pirate.
Tell us about a pet peeve having to do with September, Fall, or Spring {for our friends in the southern hemisphere}.
The weather. I used to live in Pennsylvania, so September meant bring on all the comfy cozy clothes, you know, knits, suedes, leathers, corduroys, etc. Now that I live in Louisiana, September means Summer for another 2 or 3 months. You’d think I’d know this after five years, but I continue to get disappointed every single year. I mean, I have the most lux faux leather dress that I’m dying to wear but the temps haven’t been quite right {and there was that whole COVID lockdown thing…}. This year, I will wear my dress. Even if I have to bump up the AC in my office.
Come up with a stupid question for Stupid Question Day on September 28th.
Ya know, I’ve heard some stupid questions but I’ll be danged if I can think of one now.
After reading Marsha’s answers, I have one. And, honest to goodness, after writing about the birth of my twins, how could I forget this? So many people asked me if the twins were identical. They still ask me that. Even though I state that they are a boy and a girl. It is impossible for boy and girl twins to be identical because, well, they’re a boy and a girl. Now that I mention it, people used to ask my twin sister and me if we had the same birthday, parents, and other ~~rude~~ weird questions.
Tell us about a favorite September memory.

On 20 September 1995, I gave birth to my twins: Brandon and Jazmine. Nine days before that day, I thought I was having one baby. During my routine appointment, the doctor noted that I was measuring a little large and asked about my ultrasound. I told him that I’d only had a confirmation ultrasound and no more after that. So, he sent me to have one to see what was going on. Imagine my shock when I saw two baby heads. And, not gonna lie, even though I’m a twin, twins did not come to my mind. I thought for sure I was having a two-headed baby. Our hospital didn’t deliver twins, so The Hubs and I had to drive from Louisiana to Mississippi {to drop off our toddler at my parents’ house} to Texas to have the babies. At the time, we were both in the Army and they weren’t sure what condition the babies were in since we only had NINE DAYS NOTICE THAT THERE WERE TWO OF THEM. Throughout my pregnancy, we only heard one heartbeat. And even though I told the doctor that I thought the baby was moving incredibly fast or that there were two, he assured me there was only one. I should note here, that in the Army, you don’t always see the same doctor, so there wasn’t any real continuity in care. You can read the full story here.
Tell us about your favorite celebrity whose birthday is in September.
Don’t have one.
Tell us about your favorite memory with your grandparent(s) for National Grandparents Day.
Grandma and Me
Grandma: It was 1984 and Dynasty was incredibly popular. The incomparable Diahann Carroll and was about to make her debut as Dominique Devereaux. I remember by grandma coming home from work, her dress whites pristine, hair in tidy bun at the back of her neck, and her black handbag slung over her shoulder. She dropped everything at the kitchen table — one of those old fashioned metal ones, that had the floral patterned table top and matching chairs. She started the percolator for her coffee and asked me to flip on the TV, while she started the percolator for her evening cup of coffee. After her coffee was finished, she sat down, just in time for the opening theme to start. My aunt and I sat in the dining room, watching the TV, while Grandma slipped her coffee and dragged on a cigarette. As soon as Dominique made her appearance, Grandma exhaled slowly and said “Daaaaammmmnnnn.”
Granddaddy: I’m not sure of the year, but my sisters and I were little. Shontel and I had to have been about five and my little sister about three. This was the first and last Christmas that our entire family spent together. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, my parents, my sisters, and I had all gathered at my grandparents home in Spottsylvania County, Virginia… I can’t remember the gifts we received, but I do remember my dad and uncles going out into the woods and cutting down a tree that was so tall that my uncle had to go up on the balcony of the house to put a star on the top of the tree. Then he proceeded to unroll a Christmas stocking that hung from the bottom of the balcony to the floor. To this day, we have no idea where he found that stocking. It was full of candy and toys and all sorts of little goodies. But the thing I remember most was my grandfather building a gingerbread house with all of us kids. This gingerbread house was huuuuuuge. And I remember him laughing and giving us candy to decorate the house… although I think we ate more than we decorated with.
Tell us about your favorite thing involving nine pieces/parts/items.
Again, I’m at a loss.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

I’d love to know your answers, leave a comment below.

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