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