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Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Gray Month



I call November the Gray Month. (or Grey, for the rest of the English speaking world.)

Here in Northern New Hampshire, it’s a particularly bleak time of year. The leaves have fallen from the trees but there usually isn’t any permanent snow covering. Days are short and often overcast and gloomy. The world is gray.

December has less daylight, but snow on the ground makes things a lot brighter. For me, one of the most beautiful winter sights is moonlight on freshly fallen snow. There’s a magical, unearthly glow to the crisp night.

October foliage is a riot of color. People who’ve only experienced it through photos find it hard to believe the real world looks like that. A mild sunny fall day is hard to beat. The apple harvest is in. Apple pie is one of my favorites. Fresh apple cider is a treat. A plain crisp apple fresh off the tree is a simple but mighty fine pleasure. October is the best of what fall has to offer.

November is a month to endure. It’s a bridge month. Good thing we celebrate Thanksgiving -my favorite holiday. It comes near the end of the month, just when it’s needed most. For me, it’s the only high point of the month. What’s not to like? Get together with family and friends. Enjoy good food and drink.

It is the month to get the last bit of winter preparation done. It’s a chance to square the house away for the cold blasts of winter. Maybe a few more sticks of wood are piled in the woodshed. I walk my property and make sure everything is put away for the winter. Anything left outside on the ground won’t be seen again until late spring. November is the last chance to get prepped for winter, but don’t count on it. Snow that falls in October has sometimes lasted until May. Recent years haven’t been that way, but people who’ve seen it don’t forget.

This year I’m not going to let November depress me. I’m taking my vitamin D to make up for the lack of sun. I’m going to take care of myself, eat right, exercise, and not let the gray get to me.

-Sixbears


14 comments:

  1. Ah, but squirrel season is still in and deer season comes in!

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  2. Our only childs birthday this saturday november 3 and my only aunt and mothers living relative Nov 8, after those presents, cards and love sent to them, I am done. no holidays celebrated much in our home, too much commercialism and too much asked for anything retail..i get food for people who are single parents with no child support a lady and a fellow they love what I get for them in november so they can eat a nice meal on turkey day..Don't understand the big rush, most items are jacked up price wise, food is not cheap good food, nutritious food..so I skip the hanukkah and christmas days and try to be good, loving,kind and generous to those who work and labor each day andnever ever bitch..it makes me feel great and they love whatever I decide to do for them..Life is so unfair to a lot of sweet people with young ones and to older ones who have outlived their own families or their families just don't give a damn.why is it destined that only turkey day, hanukkah day, christmas and new years eve are days to be kind and loving????? everyday is a holiday if you want to be genuine kind and loving to other human beings I say, it is my opinion only but it surely makes the world turn happier to think of others who live quiet lives of desperation..ciao!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. It's tough for a lot of people, and getting tougher. I know good food and a kind word went a long long way when I was down and out.

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  3. For me it's February (I call it Febru-ugly). My seratonin level is at its lowest so I get away to sunshine and warmth for a week or two (I'm lucky to be able to do that). When I get back I look forward to Spring and new beginnings.

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  4. That gray, gloomy weather kills me. Maybe a little vitamin D would help, I'll have to try it...

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    1. It helps me. Most people around here are short of D.

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  5. It is likewise gray here, and doesn't change much in December as the snow stays in the mountains. I take Vitamin D year round here in Wet Washington, but more in the winter.

    And I think the plant lights for the sun-starved houseplants are beneficial to me, too!

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    1. I've been tempted to get a light box. A couple months in the FL sun does wonders too.

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  6. Funny, I was thinking about November in the exact same way today. I took a short bundled up ride on my motorcycle, fully knowing that it's getting put away in a couple weeks.
    I have some fun plans at least in store for the month, my trip to Chicago to visit an old friend will be fun.

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    1. Enjoy your trip. That'll be a break from the gray.

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  7. I remember the grey days of winter oh too well. The days withno fresh snow nor any hunting season.

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