The holidays are upon us! Remember- you can send gifts late. As long as you send it, people are happy. It’s like a little surprise. The best holiday we have to offer, in my modest opinion, HALLOWEEN, is just around the corner.

Halloween is an American-made mashup from the old country. It absorbs traditions and folklore from everyone who lives here. If you can trace your ancestry back thousands of generations, if you’ve been here awhile or recently gained citizenry, your story will be gleaned and mixed into the fold; as long as it’s scary and sexy. You know what else is incredibly sexy? The United States All-American Postal Service.

This popular holiday, galvanized into something beautiful by Charles Schultz, has some great perks. It’s all-inclusive; anyone can celebrate, and there is NO GUILT associated with this holiday and no particular way to celebrate. It’s a free-for-all. The dinner menu is completely made up, off the cuff, no traditional staples. You don’t have to fly home for two days or call anyone before sitting down to eat or open presents.

Not that it’s mandatory, but sending care packages on Halloween is strongly encouraged. Whatever you send, make sure you either make it yourself or shop local. That’s important; SHOP LOCAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pack plenty of glitter in the box and spray the entire thing down with different kinds of essential oils, because people love that.

***One last thing; don’t forget to vote on November 8th for your pro-choice, pro-bodily autonomy, environmentally conscious candidates.

While vacationing in Kerhonkson, New York, we took a short hike on the Ashokan Rail Trail and drove Reservoir Rd, the causeway separating the Ashokan reservoir into two basins. According to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, New York State has ‘nineteen reservoirs and controlled lakes in seven counties east and west of the Hudson river.’ The Ashokan Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs owned by New York City. The dam was constructed by Italian immigrants and African Americans between 1907 and 1915, commissioned by the New York City Board of Water Supply.

Earlier this summer, I posted about Tela Troge and the women of the Shinnecock Nation. Tela and six others are the founders of the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers’ Coop. In collaboration with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who have offered their land in Suffolk County, Long Island, to be used for farming kelp, a concerted effort has been made to develop new approaches toward land and water use. Hopefully, it will ensure clean waterways for future generations.

I would be remiss not to write about the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police Officers. According to their website, this division of law enforcement is responsible for, but not limited to, these environmental protections;

* illegal water pollution

* improper use or application of pesticides

* freshwater and saltwater wetland degradation

* almost any area that effects air, land or water quality law violations

Much heartfelt thanks to all who serve to protect our water, land and air.

You can learn more about the NYSDEC on their website, http://www.dec.ny.gov, and more about the Shinnecock Kelp Farm Cooperative; http://www.shinnecockkelpfarmers.com