October is PINK MONTH

 October 9,2025 

OCTOBER is PINK MONTH

Or more formally, Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

Designated so in 1985 in the USA by the American Cancer Society, with early support from former first lady Betty Ford - A survivor herself. It has evolved into a Global 

For those of us who ever heard the words 'You have breast cancer' there is no escaping the awareness.  Whether a person has just heard those dreaded words or you are weeks, years or decades past treatment and in remission, there are scars. Physical, mental & emotional scars.  They are seen and felt everyday, and therefore have a love hate relationship with pink month.  

I do, very much, understand and appreciate the need for pinpointed focused awareness - for research, for the community building that happens through walks, and gatherings that celebrate and remember.  It is vitally important to find others who understand and are compassionate, to join the journey towards understanding & better health. 

Here are a few things PINK OCTOBER should make you aware of:

Your own body! 

• Learn how to do a self exam. 
• Do an exam regularly - Pick one day  and do your exam on that day EVERY week
• Make the time - it could save your life. 
• Get comfortable with your body.        
• Look at yourself in the mirror - take notice of what you see.       
• The more aware you are of your body, the quicker you will recognize changes sooner. 

Know the warning Signs

• Any lump, bump, area hardness in the breast area. Remember breast tissue extends to the armpit area
• Tenderness, swelling, warmth, or redness on or around the area
•  Changes in skin consistency
•  Itchy, scaly, or rashy area around the nipple 
•  Any pain in a single spot that does not go away over time, or intensifies 

If you notice any of the above, please make an appointment with your Doctor.  Early detection is key.

The best way to detect breast cancer early is to get regular mammograms.  Use PINK OCTOBER as your reminder to book your mammogram.  A mammogram can detect a lump as small as 2mm - about the size of a head of a pin vs 22mm - the size of a small grape. The average size lump you might find doing a self exam. 

No one will advocate for you better than  you!

• Be Strong
• Be vigilant 
• Ask questions
• Speak up for yourself
  

Be aware this PINK OCTOBER.

I am ONE of the 1in 8 - it is hard to escape, if you are not one of the 1 in 8 then more than likely you know one or more of the 1 in 8.  We are stronger together.  When we rise to support and listen!  In the next few days I will be sharing the story of my journey.  

🎗Di

  

 

 

October 8, 2025

Day 8

                                Surprised by time.... 

How is it that we are surprised by time? More specifically the passing of it. The arrival of a new month, baby, birthday,or season,can mark time in ways that leave us questioning our memory. Time just pops up from out of nowhere and SHOUTS SURPRISE I'm here.

Just last week I was watching late night TV - Jimmy Kimmel was doing a bit mocking the local news stations, 47 different variations of, "Wow, can you believe it is October" or "I can not believe it is October already" one clip after another. I sat there chuckling, then sobered quickly when I thought, this is me. Oh Boy! 

October snuck up on me too, I had places to go, people to see, parties to plan and writing to do - things that I had not given much thought to:

• Birthdays
• Anniversary
• Friends that will be in town that we have not seen for years
• Thanksgiving (Canadian here loud and proud)
• Appointments to get to
• The realization that Christmas is less than 80 days away (You have been warned) 
• And this 'The Ultimate Blog Challenge'

As a first time blog challenge participant,Iwas anticipating my participation, I had plotted a plan and was ready to jump in day 1. 

I thought I was ready to go...

Then the emails began to arrive.

I got into my head & started over thinking the whole process and  froze. Writers block set in, publishing block set in, I lost my focus and froze. Mostly, my brain was in overstimulated each email had suggestions of what or how to post and my brain created 5 to 10 additional ideas, I was drowning in creative thought.  It was time for some creative expression.    

I stepped back and took a deep breath,& had a bit of an epiphany

I asked myself what it would take to reign in my brain and refocus

The answer was simple:

• Review your original plan 
• Stop reading the emails 
• Get on with it 
• Remember to breathe
• Hydrate
• Stick with your plan and write

So moving forward, that is exactly what I am going to do.

I have had the privilege of hearing many stories of others, I consider it an honor to be trusted with them. In my 60 years of life I have a lot of my own stories, sharing them freely is not something I have done much of. It is time to change that. 

I am a cancer survivor - but have never shared my story

I like to talk to random people and that always nets a good story or two. 

Travel adventures

WHERE WERE WAS I WHEN? 

Thinking about moments in history that have had an impact on me throughout my life, how they may have changed me, my thought pattern

A question I have been pondering while reading both memoirs and historical fiction, what was I doing, how old was I when...? 

Do I have any memories associated with...?

My original plan was to step out of my comfort zone and share the stories that have given me my great big life. Those stories, musings and moments that make make up the Little bits and pieces of my random life.

Buckle up, and come along for the ride. 

I'm so glad you're here

Di

 

 Day 6

Thank you Paul for a great prompt for today's UBC, and because my blog is called Little-Bits-Of-Random, and my A.D.D. brain fires on random cylinders here is my oh, so random take.

The Reno connection...

I am a sucker for a good story, I collect them. My personal library is full of them, people share theirs with me, I listen in crowds, I read obituaries, and I write random bits. Through the years I have learned that it is stories that connect us. It is stories that connect us, that make us realize we are more the same than different. When we take the time to hear another person's story our lives can be changed.

One thing I know for sure is that history rarely disappoints, add moving trains, robbery and Reno and I am engaged. It also sounds like puzzle pieces of my family history.

My paternal great great grandfather that hopped a train train in Quebec and headed west, leaving his wife and family in Quebec (He did later send for them all) This same adventurous family member is said to have been an expert axe marksman – something that has always intrigued me.

A distant uncle on my mom's side delivered mail with the pony express along the Oregon trail. I can only imagine the adventurous life that would have been.

And then there is my Uncle Bob, from Golf Pro in the Bahamas to dealing blackjack in Reno. My uncle (is the short guy), with Jackie Robinson & Sidney Poitier/  He was the cool uncle. 

I am not going to lie, Uncle Bob was my favourite,it was always exciting when he came home for a visit. You always knew when Bob was at Grandma's, because he could be heard before walking in the door. His loud voice & laughter filled the air. To say he was charismatic was an understatement. His first words were always, 'how about a little sugar' code for come and give me a hug.

He was a story teller, crazy and wild were his specialty. True? False? Who really knew - but we were thoroughly entertained. Tales of the characters who sat at his blackjack table, famous people he had met we were captivated. Then there were questions about mob connections, like the real MOB, which he would never answer one way or the other, but there was always a twinkle in his eye. Our imaginations ran wild after he left and the stories would take on lives of their own much like he told them.

We used to joke that he moved back to Canada because he was running from the mob. True? False? Who knows... these are the stories that take on lives of their own and provide entertainment and questions for generations to come. I will forever be thankful for these stories, the true, the false the unanswered,the ones that hang in the air and keep us talking. These are the stories that draw families together.

What are the stories that live on in your family? Have they taken on lives of their own and evolved?

This day in history

P.S.  On this day in history, circa 1988. I was losing sleep and running through the mental check list of what felt like a million little things that had to fall into place the next day. Bridesmaids, photos, food, seating plans, flowers.... thinking that if it had not been done by now it was too late. I would be walking down the isle the next day. Tonight I had to ask how many years it had been..... 37 and I would choose the same guy, but I think I'd choose to elope.

October 1, 2025

Here I am, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

A friend, knowing I love to write, challenged me to start blogging.  Aware that once upon a time a long, long time ago I used to blog, she directed me to join 'The Ultimate Blog Challenge'  - Yikes!  The challenge blog once a day for the month of October. double yikes!

Did I put off deciding – Indeed

Am I currently writing at the last minute – Sigh, old high school habits die hard.

Will I  second guess myself along the way – You bet

Do I have more ideas than days to write - For sure

Here I am:   

• Doing it scared
• showing up for me
• stepping out of my comfort zone
• picking up the 'pen' after a very long time
• trusting the process
• picking up  Little-Bits-of-Random after 10+ years 

Bring on October - Blog Challenge Accepted! .

Welcome to my world of Little-Bits-Of-Random, I am happy to have you here. 

Di

No excuses.... no looking back..... just going to post.

It is said that with good friends, you can simply pick up where you left off and go from there. No questions, no excuses, no regrets, no worries, no guilt.   Well that is how I am feeling about my blog, I am just going to pick up and go forward, no should have, could have, or would haves.  (well maybe just a tiny bit of guilt - but I can deal with that).  It is time to sit down with a good cup of java and write on.
 
This morning while sipping my coffee I was truly moved to tears for the 3rd blog entry in a row, by this....

It is so worth the time to read...

http://hopefullearning.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/mom-and-daughter-speak-for-the-first-time-beyond-hello-day-3/

Who says that ONE person or ONE group can not change the world?  It is possible, and it is happening in one of the reportedly worst neighbourhoods in Canada.  Listen to your heart.  How are YOU going to change the world? (How am I? - Know that anytime I ask those sorts of questions I ask them of myself too.)

ONE amazing story. ONE woman following her passion .  ONE Down Town East Side (DTES) resident's world has been changed FOREVER.  ONE daughter many, many, many kilometers away has had her world changed too.  Kristi - the blog writer touches the deep corners of my very core and rises to the surface memories of days gone by.

This story resonates with me deeply and I am transported back.... 

ONE day many, many, many days gone by.
ONE little girl sits on her dad's knee looking at family photos. 
ONE finger pointed
ONE face she did not recognize.
ONE question; WHO is that?
ONE Father struggling with an answer
ONE old wound opened
ONE  journey that led to the DTES
ONE long lost father reunited with his son
ONE grandfather meets 2 of his granddaughters for the first time
ONE meal shared
ONE memory made
ONE old wound starts to heal....   ONE is a good place to start!

There is power in ONE! So much power. . . . I know that it did for my grandpa, for my dad, for me!  For Cindy, and it can for YOU too!

Imagine....

Happy Birthday Day

Days for Girls

(a day late, but you know what they say... better late than never)

 

I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great organization. 

Founded in 2008 Days for Girls has been changing the world one pair of panties at a time! 

 

  How is that possible?

 

SIMPLE

 

Every Girl. Everywhere.

Period.

Days for Girls aim is to empower

girls and women worldwide

to have access to sustainable quality

feminine hygiene, health, education

and dignity ​ by 2022.

 

This is done by sending feminine hygiene kits to girls in developing countries.

 

Each kit contains

1 Pair of panties

2 shields

8 liners

face cloth

2 large Ziploc bags

(aka the world's smallest washing machines)

&

Instructions for use and care.
A bar of soap is also added when they reach their destination.

 

That one pair of panties included in the kit changes the girl's . . .INSTANTLY!

 

I.N.S.T.A.N.T.L.Y.

 

Imagine, not having to look through garbage heaps on the side of the road, using paper, leaves, dried animal dung, cardboard, old rags pretty much anything you can find to block or try to stop their periods.  Imagine not having the means to be able to purchase what was needed each month. Imagine going to the store and there is NOTHING on the shelves to be able to purchase even if you were able.  Imagine using anything absorbent that you happen to "find".  Imagine washing disposable products to try to be able to use them again.   Imagine.....   for 100's of 1000's of young women around the world they do not have to imagine, for this is their reality. 

 

To a woman in a developed nation any of the above scenarios seem unimaginable. We go to the store and face a wall of options, dozens of choices,  with applicator or with out, with wings without, heavy days, light days, thin pad, long liner, regular, ultra thin.... the list goes on. Then we have the audacity to get upset when the ONE style we prefer is out of stock.   Imagine life without those options.... 

 

If you can imagine even a portion of the struggles girls in developing nations face, then you can imagine the change a hygiene kit can make. In that instant, there is hope.  Hope opens doors.   

 

Based on a montly cycle lasting 7 days & each kit lasting aprox 3 years, each kit reclaims
 252 DAYS of living.

 

Days where they do not have to stay at home

Days where they can go to school

Days when they will not have to feel like they do not belong

Days they will be educated

Days that that they will be able to work

Days where they can support  their family

Days when they can participate in life!

 

252          DAYS

6048       Hours

362, 880      Minutes

21222800    Seconds

 

When she receives a kit she will no longer have to saty at home when her period arrives.  Education is possible,  an educated girl WILL change her world.

Imagine the possiblities..... 

 

 

 

  



 

5 min Friday free write.....

I recently linked to Lisa-Jo's site via another blog I read and was immediately drawn to the concept of a 5 min free write,  

"No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation.

Unscripted. Unedited. Real"

 

Every Friday at one minute past midnight a new writing prompt is posted and off you go.....  well I totaly forgot about it at one min past midnight so here I go now..... with a little bit of trepidation.

 

 

 

 

Oct 5

 

Welcome......

 

Your Welcome  - politeness

Welcome to our Home  - hospitality, graciousness

Welcome to the world -  Excitement newness
Welcome to the family - Hopefulness, wondering

Your welcome to try....  - Fear, adventure, learning

you do not want to overstay your welcome....  - oh oh.

 

(Ugh phone rings...answer or let ring.. right now it is NOT a WELCOME interuption... )

 

Welcome to my world, when I sit to do something I often get interupted. In a house of 5, and 2 extras under 4  2 days a week, it is inevidable.  Sometimes those are welcome interuptions such as a visit from a friend,  or a quick kiss from my sweetie.  Other times they are not so welcome, the knock of a child on the bathroom door when you just NEED 2 min of quiet.  We have all been there.  

 

BUT How often am I the interuption?  How often are my interuptions welcome, or unwelcome?  I pray that I do not overstay my welcome, that when I knock on the door people truly desire to welcome me in - Do I even think about such things in the moment?  Or do I just assume? 

there is one with whom I know without a doubt I am always welcome...  I am thankful that I know without a doubt when I knock on the door of heaven one day I will be welcomed with open arms, and that on that day there is no overstaying one's welcome because I will finally know where home truly is.

 

(Shoot, I over shot by 1 min.. must have been the phone call or first time jitters) 

 

Sticking to 5 min was a little tough, once I got started I wanted to keep going. The urge to go back re read, re type was strong, old habits are hard to break.  I look forward to next week and playing along again. (maybe I will even remember at one min after midnight....)

 

     Click the link to join the fun.  I know all my scrapbooking / journaling friends will love it.  (O.K. Some of you will and others are thinking... here she goes again preaching the importance of Journaling -  Remember only you can tell YOUR story!)

 

Happy writing

Di