Ahh, November!!

"Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable, the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown
along the street or road by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese. 
Both are warnings of chill days ahead, fireside and topcoat weather."
-   Hal Borland

November is one of my favorite months. I know it gets dark earlier (the only element of November I’m not too fond of!) but there is something about November I just love. The leaves are now almost off the trees and are crisp underfoot, it’s frosty in the mornings, and there are a few special days coming in November that are special to me.

Most importantly, my mom’s 97th birthday is on Thanksgiving Day—what more can I say? I am so thankful that well into my 50’s, I have a mom who is elderly, yes – but fiercely independent, sharp as a tack, sometimes stubborn, and just plain fun. Anything I can do for her and with her is a true pleasure and honor. She still lives in the house I grew up in, does her own things (mostly, like laundry cooking, etc). I help her with the stuff she can’t do anymore, and she is an inspiration as I get older myself. I am so lucky to live close by and run over whenever she needs anything. I took this pic on Mother’s Day as we walked along the river.

And, as I often mention, I am a Kennedy fanatic, and “the day” comes every November 22.  Any of us of a certain age remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on that day 46 years ago. It speaks to the event of the JFK assassination that nearly 1/2 century later, it still feels like a recent event to those of us old enough to remember those awful  four days in late November. Our lives changed after that day, and the reverberations still effect us all these decades later.

And, I adopted my long-whiskered fur ball in November just about 4 years ago.  I had originally thought to get a kitten right before my other sweet cat died suddenly the day before Halloween. Oh, man, I was shocked and heartbroken when Bad Boy (my other coonie) just walked into the bathroom, laid down, and just died. The vet believes he had a stroke.   When I got to visit the breeder about 3 weeks later, she was adopting out Ozzy, who was already an adult cat. We just bonded, and that day, my very large and furry friend came home with me, and he’s owned my heart ever since. I knew she’d place the kittens easily, but an adult cat – well, he had my name written all over him.

So I love November, for all the special days it brings.  How about you? Is November just the beginning of the colder months for you, or do you find special moments in it?

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I finally had a chance to do some thrifting yesterday, even though it was pouring rain all day. I had the itch, but, sad to say, not much there!  I picked up a few little things I’m worked on, but like a real dufus, I forgot to take the ‘before’ pics. I was trying to do about 10 things at a time, plus watch the Phillies game last night (oh –so –PAINFUL!) but I can show you the end result. I also picked up a really nice piece of wood (probably was a light-weight cutting board, but bigger) and I’m going to try to make a sign from it. I have to start by finding where to get the stencils – so if anyone can help on that score, leave me a comment!

No trick or treaters last night – it was pouring all day, and the ball game was postponed until 9:30 or so. So, the kids couldn’t go out on that weather – and I know they were disappointed. My mom has bowlfuls of candy…gee, wonder who will be eating all of those chocolate bars? (Not me!!!!)

 

This little wooden box was only 50 cents…

 

The candle holder is ok, nothing great…

And that was it! Nothing exciting. But – next weekend, I will make another visit to see Judy  in Hereford, PA and  make a stop at Aunt Daisy’s in Emmaus – so wooowooo—I’ll be bringing home lots of goodies then, I hope.

Well, it’s time for what I hope is a better Phillies game tonite than what we suffered through last night! Ok, we can do it, right?!?!?!

Have a great 1st week of November – and – thanks to several new friends who are following my blog!