We hope you enjoyed the September 2023 issue of This Awful Awesome Life.

Many thanks to Lilly Kauffman, Orlando Bartro, and Linda Cahill for their contributions to each issue.

Everything in Between, is now available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book on amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and independent bookstores in the United States  and parts of Europe. Don’t ask me which ones because the distribution deal happened recently. I love the cover! Thank you, Francis Cleetus for bringing my vision to life in such a spectacular way! Find out more about Everything in Between in this issue. Here is the link to purchase my book, https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Between-FrancesJoyce/dp/1960399861/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZS2347EON70H&keywords=Everything+in+Between+by+Frances+Joyce&qid=1682964829&sprefix=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1

I spoke with Toby Gribben on The Toby Gribben Show for Shout Radio about Everything in Between and what’s next for me. Honestly, he was wonderful. Here is the link, so you can listen to the podcast: https://shows.acast.com/tobyonathursday/episodes/frances-joyce

The theme for our October issue is “Women’s Health.” Past October issues have been dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. This year, I decided to follow the lead of my Movember friends and include other pressing health issues. Next month when we celebrate Movember, you’ll see what I mean.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Those figures haven’t changed, but we are moving the needle for survival rates in a positive direction because of better public awareness about this disease and the importance of early detection. Breast cancer, with the exception of skin cancer, is the most diagnosed cancer for women.

Lung cancer is on the rise among women. What can we do about it? Find out about conditions affecting women’s reproductive health.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women. Medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are causing a myriad of other health problems for women. Find out what you can do, and don’t wait until it happens to you.

We are also celebrating Halloween. A few days ago, I received a link for seven ghost tours in the United States. I’m passing it along to you now. If you’re going to be in or near one of these cities this month and you’d like to get into the Halloween spirit, check out where you can go, https://travelcurator.com/featured/best-unique-ghost-tours-america/?utm_source=Travel%20Curator%20MAIN&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WORTH%20BOOKING%2010%2F4%2F2023%20-%20Best%20Ghost%20Tours%20in%20the%20US%20%282023-10-04%29&_kx=lRiQEcMAo4Uie4ZI_y2392ayO_NZ7Z9yU7naX0T-qcw%3D.R4gebj

It’s a great month for enjoying foods from the fall harvest. Linda Cahill has delicious soup recipes courtesy of the Pampered Chef and we’re featuring a super easy recipe for Kale, Butternut Squash, and Pomegranate Salad in “The Twelve Months of Salad.”

This month, Orlando Bartro made an astonishing discovery about the word, “lingo,” and like Orlando, I was definitely surprised.

We have a reprint of one of my favorite Lilly Kauffman stories about a little boy Lilly was watching, his kindergarten bus, and two Lilly’s. 

I reviewed Strong Female Character by the Scottish comedian, Fern Brady, about her struggles to be accurately diagnosed as a woman with autism. Brady’s story is a reminder that traditional medical research was often skewed because the subjects studied were almost exclusively male. Highly functioning women with autism may not present with the same symptoms as men and these symptoms are often brushed aside because of societal stereotypes about what is “normal behavior” for girls and women.

Miriam Webster added 690 new words to the dictionary last month, and we have ten of them in “What’s in a Word?”

“Dare to Believe,” is proud to feature two inspiring medical professionals who changed or are helping to change the quality of medical care women receive.

This month we’re streaming movies and television series that make me smile and our favorite Halloween movies from years past. Sometimes when you watch television, you want to laugh and have fun.

We have some great choices in our reading recommendations for kids and adults. Also, check out our Author page, October in Pictures, and our preview of the November issue.

The internationally best-selling author, Luke Murphy, has a new book out. The Cradle Will Fall hit bookstores on September 30. Charlene Taylor and Calvin Watters are teaming up for their most challenging case ripped from today’s headlines. Find out what we know, so far.

I hope you are carefully vetting the growing list of people who have formally announced their intent to run for office in the 2024 elections. Senatorial and presidential hopefuls have begun campaigning for the 2024 elections, but you still have time to start the vetting process. Please keep showing up and voting. We will never tell you who to vote for, but we will keep telling you to vote and do your homework! Vet all candidates and insist that all political parties do the same. Which incumbent legislators have actually authored and submitted legislation to benefit Americans? Who’s all talk and soundbites? Vote for the candidates who are the most qualified and who will safeguard our democracy.

Samantha Sayers has been missing since she disappeared on August 1, 2018, after a day of solo hiking at Vesper Peak near Seattle, Washington. Sam grew up in the Erie, Pennsylvania area where her parents Ron and Lisa still live. Her family is exploring all avenues of inquiry to find and bring her home. In the face of such an enormous challenge, they have chosen hope. Please keep sending positive thoughts to Sam and her family. As promised, we will be displaying a yellow ribbon for Sam on the opening page of each issue of This Awful Awesome Life until she is home.

If you are a person of faith, please pray for her safe return to her family. Because we are an online publication, we can update this article with any news. We will also post information on our Facebook page, but only after it is verified. Thank you!

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Happy Reading,

Fran