Monthly Review: October 2026

Everything is harder now:

I’m breathless when I talk.

I grunt with every movement.

I waddle when I walk.

Everything is harder now:

I struggle getting dressed.

With just 3 pairs of pants to wear

it’s hard to look my best.

Everything is harder now:

my new and constant chums

are Crocs paired with compression socks

and a canister of Tums.

Everything is harder now:

at last, I fall asleep,

and wake up two hours later

because now I have to pee.

Everything is harder now:

Those “Just you waits” came true.

But all of this is worth it:

at the end of it is you.

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Here's what I read, cooked, and created in the month of October.

What I Read

• A Fortune of Sand, Ruta Sepetys (★★)

  
  

If you want to hear the rationale behind my rating, head to my Goodreads for full reviews.

What I Cooked

• Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★★

  • Keeper: Yes

There were mixed feelings about this in the Allen household, but I definitely enjoyed. I do think peeling the potatoes before putting them in the crockpot would be wise, although I may feel that way because I chose to use baby Yukon gold potatoes, which do not lend themselves well to peeling when hot.

• Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★

  • Keeper: No, unless you just love baked oatmeal

Eh, this was fine but not great.

• Chocolate Chai Banana Muffins

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★★★

  • Keeper: Yes

A very tasty banana muffin. The butter definitely adds.

What I Created

• Untitled blackout poem

• A eulogy for my sweet Grammy, who died this month at the age of 83

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May your days be filled with beauty, and may your heart be filled with the willingness to see and give thanks for it.