November is chill, frosted mornings with a silver sun rising behind the trees, red cardinals at the feeders, and squirrels running scallops along the tops of the gray stone walls. — Jean Hersey
This quote is almost my November… while there are no gray stone walls here, the squirrels run races on the power lines as they hurry to bury another acorn or two!
I really like November. The skies are different, the air smells different, and the sunrises and sunsets have moved to new spots on the horizon. Outside it feels like everything is settling in as it tucks itself in for a well-deserved rest until spring. And this year my November very much felt like that…it had a different look, there were different smells, mornings start quietly, and evenings settle into a comfortable rhythm as we wind down the day.
It truly helped to focus on “living as if this is all there is” and better still, November brought the promise of a spring. It is much easier to be patient when you can begin to see the glimmer at the end of the tunnel!
Let’s look at my November in pictures!
The Best Part of the Month —
Hand’s down November 7th was the absolute best part of the month!
Something New —
PA had new voting machines, so I made sure I had the PA Voter Hotline number at the ready! We also had our first dusting of snow, our first hard frost, AND some new spinning!
Best “Oh, Wow” Moment/s —
The glowing patio thanks to the sun and a few leaves remaining on a bush… my picture on the 28th does not do it justice.
What I did well and What I can do better —
I am thinking about the future of these look back posts… several times during the month I reached the end of the day and realized that I did not take any photos that day. I feel this need to “get something” but… is that done well? or Can I do better? I am not sure. Lots to think about, but I will absolutely end the year with one more installment!
That was my November! I hope yours was good as well!
Now… a tiny post script… things are bad right now, Gentle Readers…hospitals workers are over their limit and many have reached their breaking point and there is no reprieve. We have reached the grim milestone that every minute 2 people die from coronavirus and we are not yet seeing the Thanksgiving peak. Honestly, if you can stay home, stay home. Get your groceries delivered… really. Do it, it is a necessary evil right now. We need to do everything we can to help hospitals not be full. Do some holiday decorating, and spend some time appreciating how lovely it all looks by staying AT HOME!
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who gets to the end of the day without having snapped a memory. I actually gave up for just the reason you mention but I do love seeing these monthly views.
I love these end of the month recaps. I also love how you always use fancy glasses and serving dishes for your happy hours! I always end up smiling and I appreciate you sharing your life in such sweet detail. Thanks!
I do enjoy your monthly look backs a lot…but I don’t think I could do them! I do not take pictures every day…sometimes not every week!
I started off December with sketching prompts and a promise to myself to fill my days with JOY. I am trying to meditate 2-3x a week and am doing my very best.
Nov. 7th was wonderful, and I also love your spinning, cocktails, watch pug, and Frosty! I am planning how best to stay home but had to get my car inspected this morning (NJ is done giving extensions). Oh, my! I wiped down my car (twice) after the DMV guy got out, but I’m pretty sure if I get covid in the next couple weeks, this is where it came from.
I agree with encouraging people to stay home but I don’t agree that grocery shopping is risky behavior, particularly when you are only just putting that burden on someone else. I would say stay out of restaurants and bars and stores, do curbside pick up and take out instead, and don’t socialize with people outside of your own home.
Oh, Carole, you just said exactly what I came here to say about grocery shopping. If you have delivery, you are asking someone else to risk even more; they have to spend their whole day pulling orders for you in the store. You can go in and get out and not spend time (which is the big risk) indoors with others.
Oh, so many favorites here. Love your cocktail glasses. (Whenever I see your happy hour photos, I want to come over.) Watch pug…oh, my heart. The election, of course. Your neighborhood. But I’ll tell you, your post script gave me the chills. We continue to see two entirely independent populations here: Cautionary. And denial. Our governor is literally begging.
Had to pop back in. Troy just said, “I want to find a vintage yard ornament for the porch. Like a Santa or a Snowman or something. But you have to be careful…around here, it’d probably get stolen.” (Hate to say, that’s been true here lately.) Anyway, I showed him your snowman immediately–and he said, “Exactly!” 🙂
Bronner’s Christmas wonderland in Frankenmuth MI they have a website. Seriously. The best place ever ( and Frosty is zip tied to our front porch )
Isn’t it amazing how one day in November really set the tone for making it a joyful month? That was such a good day.
I am a little worried that this month is shaping up to be a sad one, but I am trying to find as much joy as I can — and doing it while staying home!
Good reminder, Kat . . . although quick-and-focused trips to the grocery store (or pharmacy) WHILE MASKED are not all that risky, and having groceries delivered only puts others at higher risk. So while I agree with staying home (and wearing a mask and distancing yourself from those not in your household), I’m not fully on board with having groceries delivered. It’s also important to acknowledge that “staying home” and having your groceries delivered are options not available to many, many people. We all need to do what we can to keep ourselves and our communities safe – but not everyone can stay home.
A good reminder-thankfully our Thanksgiving and Christmas does not typically include a large number of people, so it won’t be as hard for us to stay home. I know it is a challenge for others, but we have so many other ways we need to use them.