November Remembering
Time between times
Hello, dearest subscribers! Time for another round-up of my daily happenings for the past month.
In the past, the month of November has seemed a bit awkward. It’s not really fall anymore, but it’s not properly winter yet either. Thanksgiving is of course a special time, but that is almost at the end of the month this year. Since moving this past year, I’ve realized that November is an extension of the season I most love. These weeks often feel like a rush towards the holidays, but this is why I intentionally carve out celebrations to mark the time. Birthdays, Thanksgiving celebrations, and sometimes Advent begins this month, though not this year. I’ve come to see that November is a time between times, which in ancient thought is a sacred time, a time for old things to end and new things to begin. It’s an interesting thought that November can be a time of preparation and anticipation.
Sunday, November 3
We celebrate Thanksgiving with our church family tonight. This church doesn’t regularly have fellowship meals, so it makes the few times a year we do feel exceptional.
Tuesday, November 5
Our last practice week for the theater production my older kids are in. Next week is all dress rehearsals and performances. So many people are promised to come. This activity has been intense for us, but we’re not considering anything else. It’s an intensity that my kids need and thrive in.
Wednesday, November 6
Today was one of those delightful days in which I got to do a bunch of things for myself, things that fill my soul. I started the day super early and picked up a food order from Azure Standard. This may not seem delightful in itself, but the hour-long drive there and back by myself all while listening to my favorite podcast and music was just the way to start my day. I also attended a Zoom meeting with other artists of faith. It was great to talk ‘shop’ with them and have some accountability over my ongoing projects. Being an artist is lonely work sometimes and to talk with others who get it is always encouraging. Then I wrapped up my day with choir practice, which is always fun.
Friday, November 8
I’ve been walking most mornings for the past couple of weeks. It’s a habit I’ve long wanted to establish and this November weather has been so perfect for it. This morning it was densely foggy and I almost didn’t go, for fear that cars wouldn’t see me. However, the realization that I can hear cars long before they get close to me pushed me outside and I am so glad I did. The fog was so deep I couldn’t see the small group of trees that stand at the far end of the area where I walk. Not till halfway down the lane did they begin to emerge from the mist. Like dark towering giants. And then I got to experience fog rain. When I got to the stand of trees and walked underneath there was a definite rainfall from all the condensation of fog on the branches. Not just the occasional drop but a regular dripping that felt so much like rain, I had to laugh. Then I walk beyond the trees and it’s dry. I love getting to experience things I’ve only read about in books.
November 11-16
Okay, I know I’m trying to write daily entries, but this week was so crazy, I could only get through it. Now that it is past I can look back and reflect a bit better. Dress rehearsals and performances, that is all there was for me. I was so pleased with my kids’ performances, their endurance under the pressure of so much work. It’s one of those occasions where you see your kids stepping into their own powers and ability and it’s very encouraging as a mom. The production was so top-notch, which means that the kids were great, but the team behind the kids, from the directors and coaches down to the techs doing lights and sound was amazing. We are so happy to be a part of this group.
November 17
I finished the last page of my art journal today. I’ve been in a bit of a slump for art journaling. Strangely, with last week's activity, I had space to lay down a few layers here and there. I think because meals were simple and my spouse took on a lot of the house management I was able to find my mojo again.
November 18
Finishing this art journal is a bit bittersweet. Of course, it is a huge accomplishment and I’m happy about it. But, I made this journal just a few weeks before we moved from Vermont a year and a half ago. To be finished with it and looking back over my work from the last year and a half has been emotional for me. So many of these pages represent where I have been emotionally. Even the less-than-stellar sketchbook challenge I did and kind of hate the pages of, represents how hard I’ve been trying to keep my creative juices flowing even when I haven’t felt like being creative. This journal has truly lived up to its title of A Book of Adventures.
November 22
Winter just jumped ahead to the front of the line. We got six inches of snow. My kids were so happy to be sledding and in their snow pants again. Personally, I don’t miss the long long New England winters, but I do miss a nice snowfall here and there. Hot chocolate and warm soups today.
November 23
We lost power last afternoon and it didn’t come back on for 24 hours. It’s so funny to me that in New England I had a woodstove that I could use as alternative heat and cooking if the power ever went out, which it never did. Since we’ve moved here we’ve lost power at least 4 times, twice of those when it was super cold. I have no alternative heat option and no way to cook when cold. Summertime power outages are kind of fun because I can grill or cook hot dogs over a campfire. But this cold power outage has forced me to realize that I need a better plan for winter.
November 25
Morning walks are still happening for me. I’m happy to be out on these crisp and beautiful mornings when the stillness is all-encompassing. I need more quiet in my life and these walks have been that for me.
November 28
Thanksgiving was a special time for us all. We had family over and friends too. I kept things pretty simple and did ahead what could be done. It makes things so much more enjoyable the day of.
I hope you are enjoying these new monthly missives! We are looking forward to Advent starting the day this post goes live. Also, Christmas! I pray you all have a wonderful time with friends and family.