In the north, November can be a stark month. Gone are the brilliant gold, scarlet leaves of autumn. Gone are the hot, lazy days of summer. Many birds fly south to warmer climates. Some animals slow down by finding shelter and preparing for their long winter nap. Tree buds go dormant. The sun rises in the southeast as the days shorten. The winter constellations become more visible in the early morning and late evening. Temperatures begin to drop.
November comes from the Roman calendar Latin word ‘novem,’ meaning nine (the ninth month of the year). The Roman calendar, used by the Roman Republic in ancient Rome, had only ten months, and the year was only 304 days (determined by the cycles of the moon and seasons of the agricultural year).
Many countries have at least one major holiday in November: America has Thanksgiving and Veterans Day; India celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights; Thailand enjoys the Full Moon Festival in Chiang Mai; Angola has its Independence Day; Mexico hails the Day of the Dead. Light brown, reddish-brown, and bronzy brown colors are commonly associated with the month.
For some of my friends, November is their least favorite month. But I’ve come to enjoy its subtle beauty. The longer evenings mark the end of working in the garden and the beginning of reading good novels and sipping on several cups of hot tea. At least one evening a week, we eat by candlelight. A friend once termed the month ‘the cozy season.’
This year, November 1st marked the publication date of my newest book, Silver Tip Poems, and as I settle into this month, I’m looking forward to a comfortable time, undisturbed by deadlines, goals, and time limits. And even though I’ll be marketing this book and hosting a book signing event, I plan to be more ‘Novemberish’ about it. More relaxed and welcoming, as if I am curled up on my couch listening to Bach, immersed in a book that takes me to an unusual world or perhaps a different time. Lay dormant the shoulds and what-ifs and have to(s). Gather my strength and vigor so I can burst into bloom, possibly for my next novel, which is already forming in my head; the antagonist is such a hoot that I chuckle when I think of what mischief she might get into next.
Today is also November 5th, election day in America. Some analysts predict this election will be ‘historical’ and might be discussed for years. I don’t know, but I do hope for a Novemberish stretch of time ahead—a calmer, less chaotic, less frenzied season (or maybe seasons) where we can enjoy quiet moments, appreciate our neighbors, and recognize the magnificence of our planet and the majesty of the natural world that surrounds us.
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius
Enjoy the Passage of Time.
Sharon
© 2024. Sharon Kreider. All Rights Reserved.
