9/2/2026

I am so excited for this upcoming fall. Of course, I am not the type to start decorating before summer is over or to start listening to my fall playlist. I don't mind if other people do that, but for me it kind of ruins the magic to start decorating for fall or Christmas too soon.

One thing I have done, specifically while working on this website for the last few days, is I've started listening to the "Hank the Cowdog: The Case of the Halloween Ghost" audiobook. Does anyone else remember reading or listening to Hank the Cowdog? I've always been into audio dramas, and was a huge book-on-tape kid, so I find myself revisting Hank the Cowdog and it's Halloween installment in particular year after year. Hank is a Texas ranch dog who, in his mind, runs security on the ranch with military efficiency, but in reality is kind of a bumbling protaganist. He and his cowardly sidekick, Drover, encounter many misadventures on the ranch, mostly following similar story beats to mystery and detective stories. Hank uses a lot of military and security language to describe regular things, such as calling loud thunder during a storm "The Charlies".

"The Case of the Halloween Ghost" follows Hank leading up to and during Halloween night as he encounters buzzards, trick-or-treaters, and, eventually, the terrifying and real ghost of a minister. I remember listening to this book as a kid, and the chapter with the ghost genuinely scared me. I listen to it every year leading up to Halloween because it just has a cozy vibe. It makes be want to be in Slim's house with Hank and Drover, sitting around the wood-burning stove and listening for ghostly music.

My mom and I are planning a Halloween party for my neices and nephews. We are going to make replicas of the aprons the maids wear at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland and have fun treats and activities for the kids. I can't wait to make Halloween treats while listening to my favorite Hank the Cowdog book, go to my local coffee shop while listening to Charlie Brown music, and go to the Halloween event at the renaissance festival. I am also going to see Phantom of the Opera in November with my boyfriend, which I am SO excited for. xoxo Magginolia