Your Birthday Is in September—Are You Special?

Posted on by | 2 Comments

 

🎉 Your Birthday Is in September—Are You Special?

Calendar page for the month of September. Closeup, top view ...

stock

According to Good Housekeeping, the answer is a resounding yes. They’ve compiled a list of 21 reasons why September babies are extra special. I won’t spoil the whole list, but a few fun facts caught my eye—and I couldn’t resist sharing.

🍼 Fact #1: September Is the Most Common Birth Month in the U.S.

Let’s do the math. September is the ninth month. Human gestation takes about nine months. So what was happening in the U.S. right before January? Ah yes—holiday parties, mistletoe mischief, and New Year’s Eve revelry. It all adds up. Conception abounds!

1,300+ Baby New Year Stock Illustrations, Royalty-Free ...

 

 

🎂 Fact #2: September Babies Have a Better Shot at Reaching 100

The article doesn’t explain why, but statistically, more people born in September live to see triple digits. Maybe it’s all that autumn air and birthday cake?

Father Time And New Year’s Baby (Old And New Year)

🚌 Fact #3: You’re Likely the Oldest in Your Class

Thanks to the September 1 school enrollment cutoff, many September-born kids get an extra year before hopping on the big yellow bus. That means a head start in height, maturity, and maybe even snack negotiation skills.

School Bus - Customizable Clipart Image

🍁 Fact #4: September Folks Are Less Prone to Mood Disorders

Could it be the crisp fall weather, golden leaves, and pumpkin-scented everything? Whatever the reason, September babies tend to be a little sunnier in disposition.

😮‍💨 Fact #5: But… You’re More Prone to Respiratory Issues

September giveth and September taketh away. Asthma and other respiratory conditions are more common among those born this month. At least you’ll be cheerful while catching your breath?

☀️ Fact #6: Born on September 16? You Share a Birthday with Positive Thinking Day

Coincidence? Maybe. But if you’re a September 16 baby, you might just radiate optimism. Or at least have a good excuse to fake it.

🍕 Fact #7: My Personal Favorite—September 20 Is National Pepperoni Pizza Day

That’s right. You can celebrate your birthday with pizza and cake. Two major food groups, one glorious day. Yum!

 

77,000+ Pepperoni Pizza Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty ...

🎈 That’s a Wrap

If you want to see all 21 reasons, check out the full article in Good Housekeeping. As a February baby myself, I can’t vouch for the accuracy—but I might be just a teensy bit jealous.

So here’s to you, September stars. May your month be filled with joy, deep breaths, and extra slices of pepperoni pizza. Happy Birthday!

photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

 

Where Were You That Morning? A Tribute to September 11

Posted on by

🕊️ A Morning Like No Other

Do you remember where you were on the morning of September 11, 2001?

📺 “Is This a Movie?

I remember it vividly—not in the way you recall a birthday or a vacation, but in the way your body remembers shock. I turned on the news, expecting the usual hum of morning chatter. Instead, I saw flames, smoke, and chaos. For a moment, I thought it was a movie trailer. Something surreal. Something scripted. But it wasn’t.

http://t1.gstatic.com/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcRySpddvMmJFPuEyCE2SFMWlzGpdI9kqGiJW_aYUNf5XSyKYZOcZc-GIsfX10aaraG0

Internet

🧊 Numbness and Silence

It was horrifying.

I remember how I felt. Numb. Just stunned. My mind couldn’t catch up to what my eyes were seeing. The towers—those iconic pillars of the New York skyline—were collapsing. Lives were being lost in real time. And across the country, hearts were breaking in unison.

🤝 A Nation United in Grief

In the days that followed, grief settled over us like a heavy fog. But so did something else: unity. Strangers became neighbors. Flags waved from porches and overpasses. First responders ran toward danger with a courage that defied comprehension. And in the quiet moments, we lit candles, whispered prayers, and held each other close.

Twenty-four years later, the pain hasn’t vanished. But neither has the resilience. Every September 11, the Tribute in Light rises over Manhattan—twin beams piercing the night sky, echoing the towers that once stood tall. It’s a symbol of remembrance, of hope, of the promise to never forget.

🚒 Heroes in the Ashes

To the families who lost loved ones, to the heroes who gave everything, and to the millions who carry the memory of that day in their hearts—you are not forgotten. Your stories live on in our reflections, our ceremonies, and our quiet moments of pause.

Fred George, Ash Wednesday, Dusk, 9/12/01, New-York Historical Society, Gift of Here is New York

Today, I remember. And I honor.

 

Raising the Flag at Ground Zero - Wikipedia

Raising the Flag at Ground Zero- Wikipedia

From Salon Chat to Cozy Retreat

Posted on by

From Salon Chat to Cozy Retreat: How One Chair Found Its Perfect Home

It started with a haircut and a little storytelling.

About six weeks ago, I was chatting with my hairdresser—one of those easy, flowing conversations where you swap life updates between snips and styling. I mentioned my new store, Welcoming Haven, and she immediately pulled up the site on her phone. Within seconds, her eyes landed on the Massage Reading Chair/Recliner.

“I need that,” she said, no hesitation. “For my home salon.”

Fast forward to today, and I saw her again—this time not just as a stylist, but as a delighted customer. She couldn’t stop raving about the chair: how it fits beautifully into her space, how her clients love sinking into it, and how it’s become her favorite spot to unwind after a long day. “It’s such a great value,” she told me. “I didn’t expect it to feel this luxurious.”

That moment reminded me why I created Welcoming Haven in the first place. It’s not just about products—it’s about creating spaces that feel like a gentle exhale. Whether you’re running a home salon, curling up with a book, or simply carving out a corner of calm, the right piece can transform your day.

🪑 Featured Product: Massage Reading Chair/Recliner

Affiliate Spotlight
This chair is a favorite for good reason. With plush cushioning, gentle massage settings, and a reclining feature that invites you to linger, it’s a haven in itself. Whether you’re styling hair or stealing a quiet moment for yourself, it blends comfort and function beautifully.

👉 Explore the Massage Reading Chair/Recliner
(As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through this link—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Welcoming Haven!)

If you’ve been dreaming of a little more comfort in your space, maybe this chair is your sign. Or maybe it’s just a reminder that sometimes, the best discoveries come from everyday conversations.

 

Natural Wonders of Massachusetts

Posted on by

🌲Closer Than You Think: 6 Natural Wonders Worth Exploring in Massachusetts

Here I am, living in Massachusetts, yet always chasing natural beauty elsewhere—Utah’s red rocks, Costa Rica’s coastlines, the wide-open West. But maybe it’s time to look a little closer to home. I recently stumbled across a list of the six best natural wonders in Massachusetts and couldn’t help but ask myself: how many have I actually seen?

Turns out, not as many as I’d hoped. But that’s about to change.

🏔️ Mount Greylock

The highest peak in Massachusetts towers over the Hoosic Valley, and on a clear day, you can see five states from its summit—Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The best time to visit? Late spring through early fall, when the hiking trails are alive with color and the foliage is at its fiery best. Heads up, leaf peepers—Mount Greylock deserves a spot on your seasonal bucket list.

Stock photo

💦 Bash Bish Falls

Now this one I have visited—back in 2017. (You can find my post and a short video [here].) I always want to call it “Bish Bash Falls,” and I’m not sure why. There are two entrances, but I opted for the easy route from the New York side—a well-traveled dirt road that spares you the steep, rocky descent from the Massachusetts side. After a gentle walk, I was rewarded with the sight and sound of the falls. Worth every step.

Bash Bish Falls – photo credit Deb Neumann

🌳 Mohawk Trail State Forest

This one had me scratching my head. I’ve driven the Mohawk Trail many times en route to New York—it’s a scenic alternative to the highway, winding through Routes 2 and 2A. But I’d never heard of the Mohawk Trail State Forest. Turns out, it’s a 7,700-acre preserve spanning Charlemont, Hawley, and Savoy, established in 1921 to protect the area’s natural and historic beauty. If you follow the trail all the way to New York, brace yourself for some dramatic switchbacks near the state line. It’s a drive worth savoring.

Sharp Curve ahead- photo credit Deb Neumann

⛷️ Mount Wachusett

The tallest summit east of the Connecticut River, Mount Wachusett is a winter haven for skiers. I always say I’ll go photograph the slopes—but let’s be honest, I hate the cold. Maybe this year I’ll finally bundle up and make the trip. Or maybe I’ll wait for spring and hike instead.

🪨 Natural Bridge State Park

Located in North Adams, this park protects the only naturally formed white marble arch in North America. I think I’ve been here—though I may have just wandered the gorge. I remember massive holes carved into the rock by swirling whirlpools. If that’s the spot, it’s worth a second visit to confirm. Either way, it’s a geological gem.

Photo of dam

Photo Credit Viraj Naik

🌊 Halibut Point State Park

This one’s pure New England coastal charm. Located in Rockport, the park blends granite quarry history with salt air and sea breezes. You can even explore a former World War II fire control tower. It’s close to Crane Beach, one of my favorite summer destinations when I first moved to Massachusetts. The nostalgia alone makes it worth revisiting.

Photo of granite quarry

photo credit Kristy Samuels

🌿 Wrapping Up

Massachusetts may be known for its urban heartbeat—hello, Boston—but its natural soul runs deep. From mountain peaks to marble arches, scenic drives to seaside cliffs, there’s a wild beauty here that’s easy to overlook. But not anymore.

If you’re craving nature, you don’t have to travel far. Sometimes the wonder is right in your backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ghosts in the Dutch Room

Posted on by

Ghosts in the Dutch Room: My Brush with the Gardner Museum’s Lost Masterpieces

When I first moved to Boston in the 1970s, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum felt like a secret garden tucked behind Venetian walls.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — Museum Review | Condé Nast ...

Stock photo

I wandered its hushed rooms, drawn to the Dutch Room’s moody elegance—dark wood, gilded frames, and masterpieces that seemed to whisper stories if you lingered long enough. I remember standing before Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee, mesmerized by the chaos of waves and the quiet terror on each painted face.

Stock photo

Vermeer’s The Concert glowed with intimacy, a trio of musicians caught mid-note. I didn’t know then that I was witnessing something that would vanish forever.

Stock photo

The Heist

On March 18, 1990, two men disguised as Boston police officers entered the museum and stole thirteen works of art worth over $500 million. They tied up the guards, spent 81 minutes plucking treasures from the walls, and disappeared into the night. No arrests. No recovered art. Just empty frames still hanging in place—silent tributes to what was lost.

Visiting the museum now feels like stepping into a mystery novel. The Dutch Room is quieter than ever, its emptiness louder than any alarm. The stolen paintings are gone, but their absence is palpable. I find myself staring at the vacant frames, remembering the brushstrokes that once lived there.

stock photo

If you’re planning a trip to Boston, don’t miss the chance to experience one of the art world’s most enduring mysteries. The Gardner isn’t just a museum—it’s a living crime scene, a place where beauty and intrigue collide. You’ll walk through rooms curated by Isabella herself, past lush courtyards and haunting gaps in the gallery walls. It’s history, heartbreak, and high drama all in one.

photo credit Deb Neumann

Banner and Balboa, my feline muses, seem intrigued by the mystery too—especially the idea of cat burglars. Maybe I’ll let them sniff around the Dutch Room in their dreams. After all, every good mystery needs a clever sidekick.

 

 

 

stock photo

Travel Tip:
If you’re planning a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, aim for a weekday morning. The museum’s Venetian-style courtyard is especially tranquil when it’s less crowded, and the soft natural light spilling through the glass roof makes the perfect backdrop for reflection—or a moody Instagram moment. Don’t rush through the Dutch Room; linger by the empty frames and let the mystery settle in. And if you’re intrigued by the heist, consider watching the Netflix documentary This Is a Robbery before you go—it adds a thrilling layer to the experience.

 

The Five Frames Left Behind

stock photo