Melissa's Musings: October 2026

First Fridays · October 2026 · Issue No. 2

By Melissa Gilbert

Happy October everyone!

The air is beginning to crisp, the leaves are beginning to change color, and I’m starting to think about soups and stews instead of salads and quiches.

October is a very important month for a number of reasons, but primarily because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sadly, we all know someone or have been someone who has faced a breast cancer diagnosis. In fact, here’s something you probably don’t know about me: I had a scare a few years ago when a suspicious spot turned up on my annual mammogram and I needed a biopsy. Waiting for those results felt like the longest two weeks of my life.

Everything was fine in the end, thank goodness. But as I waited, I thought about the countless women without insurance and others without great doctors and technicians around them. I thought about all the women who put off their mammograms, and those who even believe that the mammograms themselves are dangerous and refuse to get them.

Having walked alongside so many friends as they battled breast cancer, I can say unequivocally that it is vital to be your own health advocate—especially when it comes to breast health. There will be about 321,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. this year and about 42,000 women will die. This is striking, considering breast cancer is very treatable if it’s found early. Yet too many of us don’t know the essential facts that make a big difference when it comes to prevention and early detection. That’s why we sat down with Dr. Marisa Weiss, a breast oncologist and founder of Breastcancer.org. She has the eye-opening information we all need. I know it inspired me to share this with each of you: Go get your boobies squished! Please, don’t put it off another minute.

October is also the month we celebrate Halloween, my all-time favorite holiday. (Don’t miss this month’s Prairie Picks for some of my favorite traditions!)

Of course, I can’t wait to see pictures of all my grands in their sweet costumes. Halloween is also special for me because it’s the day my mentor, Michale Landon, was born. Any day I get to celebrate him is a good day.

So, this Halloween, let’s all toast my Pa and eat his favorite candy, black jellybeans. I know licorice is not everyone’s favorite, but if you could manage just one in his honor, I’ll bet he’ll smile down with great appreciation and get a giggle when you make a face because you don’t like it.

I’m sending you all so much love and wishes for a cozy, fun, spooky, healthy, safe, and black jellybean-filled time.

With love,

P.S. I’m so grateful for all of the ways Modern Prairians showed up for their neighbors for Hunger Action Month, which I wrote about here. I’d love to hear about a neighbor you’ll never forget. What did they do—big or small—that has stayed with you? Share your story with us HERE!

This story was featured in First Fridays, our monthly gathering from Melissa Gilbert and Modern Prairie. Subscribe to join us on the first Friday of every month.