Early morning of November first found me removing all vestiges of Halloween from our outdoor decorations. Down came the witch flag, the cool ghost with his fedora and shades, the arched-back black cat, the tiny ghosts lining the walkway, the little ghost flying from the tree next to the street, the witch windsock, the dangling cat and witch spinners, the framed spooky owl painting, my husband’s comical witch portrait, and the wizard and witch hats. Next, I went inside to remove the jack-o-lantern grinning out of the second-floor center window. Work done, I breathed a sigh and descended the stairs to sit down with a cup of coffee. The indoor decorations could wait.
My Christmas decorations will make their debut on December first. Meanwhile, I will enjoy a month of quiet, heartwarming moments and memories of family love. Nestled between the crazy, spooky fun of October’s Halloween and the glittery excitement of December’s Christmas, sits November wearing cozy slippers, sipping tea, and counting blessings.
November is an oasis of calm—bronze leaves lingering on the trees, not yet frigid but chilly enough to enjoy a fire in the hearth. As we anticipate the giving and receiving of material gifts in December, we have this gentle time to focus on all of the most important things in life for which to be thankful. The warmth and life-sustaining love and companionship of family and friends (including the four-legged variety) come to mind during this month of Thanksgiving. At the end of Zephyr Stone and the Moon Mist Ghost, Zephyr and her family draw close for a Thanksgiving dinner that exemplifies the love that is the foundation of Zephyr’s world, regardless of how strange that world is at times.
November puts us in the right state of mind and spirit to find just the right gifts for our loved ones in December.
Until next month, take a long, slow, deep breath of November tranquility (and pass the turkey, please!)