​As we enter the fall months, Halloween is the kickoff to the holidays. Most American’s start to get distracted by all the holiday spirit that comes alive this time of year. Kids back in school, football season in full swing, and special meals for a special time of year. And PUMPKIN Spiced everything!!!!

Retailers have latched onto Halloween as the start of anything pumpkin, and it continues through Thanksgiving to Christmas. As young kids growing up, pumpkin pie was about the only ‘pumpkin’ thing we would get in these fall months. Now it’s a literal smorgasbord of whatever you can think of that can be pumpkin flavored.

Another seasonal sign that happens in our neck of the woods is the howling of the coyotes at night ramping up as the weather cools down. After 33 years of living near the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve, we get our fair share of daytime and nocturnal critter visits like skunks, raccoons, owls, javelina, bobcats, and coyotes. The coyote howl is a distinct sound that we never tire of hearing. It calls out Howl- o-ween in the desert. Oh, and yes, we are on our guard keeping our pets indoors at night. Nobody wants their pet to turn into a coyote hors d’oeuvre!

Enjoy October’s entrance even if that includes pumpkin spice!