Katie Pumpkinhead’s Pumpkin Patch

 I grew up, more or less, having Republican values and beliefs served to me like a side of mashed potatoes with dinner. When I was younger, I thought of it similar to religion. Some people are born one way and some are born another. My parents were Catholic, so I was raised Catholic. My parents were Republican, so therefore I must be too. In a household where I can recall conversations about how Democrats are always wrong and Republicans are always right from the time I was six years old on, I didn’t think I had a choice. And that’s the problem. No one should ever be made to feel as if they don’t have a choice. The funny thing is, I’m from New Jersey. It’s primarily a state that votes blue. But the area that I actually grew up in? That’s a different story. If you didn’t know any better, just based on the stories, and looking at the people, you might think my hometown was in Texas or Alabama. Where I come from, it’s all big trucks, BBQs, country music, and a very right-wing way of t...

 A few days ago, I made a post on Instagram talking about how my summer depression made an event I had been looking forward to attending, difficult for me. (You can find the original post  here .) The next morning, I started getting a barrage of direct messages from someone who was completely flabbergasted, and seemingly downright offended  that a person could experience any sort of negative emotion during wonderful  summer. This was, as you can imagine, a very irritating experience for me. I do not appreciate anyone invalidating anyone else, especially as it relates to mental health struggles. As a result, I started posting a little more about the summer strain of Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD) and have since been receiving very positive responses, particularly from people that have been feeling this way for years but were never able to put a name to it before. Raising this awareness has brought me a lot of joy over the past few days, and so I thoug...

 Memorial Day has passed on the Gregorian calendar. Halloween is now less than 150 days away. Soon, we will start seeing decor in stores, and feel the shifts in the air as more and more people start to think about  and plan out their Halloweens.  But, sadly, there is another thing that happens during this time of the calendar year. The inexplicable species known as “summer people” come out of the woodwork and start whining that autumn people should “STOP RUSHING THE SEASONS!!!!” , as if it’s some horrible crime not to enjoy sweltering hot weather and blinding sun. As if it’s a crime to enjoy and look forward to something that takes a long and painful year to make its way back to us. No one, not even those inexplicable summer folk, should have to feel like like they’re in the wrong for looking forward to something. Throughout my entire life, autumn and Halloween have been my salvation. There are probably many things that I wouldn’t have made it through, if it hadn’t been f...