November tends to get lost between the festive spookiness of Halloween and the infectious, merry warmth of winter holidays. Give this unsung month a moment of your time. Gateway to the cold Recall any conversation you've ever had or heard regarding favorite months and seasons. I'm going to take a wild swing at the likelihood that "November" or "almost winter" weren't some of the answers that came across. Autumn is a heavyweight when it comes to seasonal favorites around here. By the time the beginning of September has approached, the allure of summer has worn off - too many hot and sticky days drive the need for seasonal change. Eyes eagerly watch the treeline for the first splashes of crimson to replace the dull and faded heat soaked foliage. Porches and patios trade off summer annuals for pumpkins and mums. Everything starts to get c o z y. Halloween caps off the grand finale of fall festivity, and after that (at least in Pennsylvania), things start to get cold. Literally and figuratively. Temperatures start to creep toward freezing and the last blooms of the season come to an abrupt end. The cheerful colors that flecked the landscape vanish. Chilly rains strip the trees of their foliage, leaving bare skeletons across the hillside where fiery palates of autumn's blaze once stood. The vibrant scenery we enjoyed just weeks before is now bleak, unworthy of photo ops for the general public to share across their social media platforms. Nobody wants to follow the hashtag #nomoreleaves. Folks cringe and mutter obscenities about the approaching season of winter and the darkness it brings, the shorter days, the stashing of flip flops and bathing suits. Luckily, morale gets a boost at the end of the month courtesy of the Thanksgiving holiday. Friends and family gather and feast, whether for better or for worse. Classically, this is the kickoff to the holiday season - specifically holiday shopping - and most people don't look back. Carts get filled, decorations get hung, and things turn merry. The day after Thanksgiving might just as well be the end of November. Not the most boring month... November isn't quite as dull as its sometimes made out to be. If you take advantage of the pause before the holidays, you can find November to be both relaxing and exciting, depending on your personality and hobbies. Hunker down or get out - either way, make the time yours and enjoy it. GET OUTDOORS, THERE'S STILL STUFF TO SEE! Exposed tree limbs are now perfect creature viewing platforms. Do some BIRD WATCHING. Grab yourself a field guide and start a journal of what types of feathered friends you see now and throughout the coming winter. Feeling more adventurous? Dress the part and go for a hike. Take in the beauty of the surrounding flora beginning to show off their winter interest - dried puffs of flowers, milkweed pods, red twig dogwood branches. Which trees have the most colorful bark? Which ones look the spookiest without their leaves? If so inclined upon your return, draw a picture or create something inspired by your hike and what you saw. Two wheels more your style instead of hoofing it? This is a great time of year to hit those single track mountain bike or dirt bike trails that were overgrown and impassable all summer. Pick a day that the weather and your schedule can agree on and tear it up. Don't forget to bring a friend! NOT INTO THE COLD? YOU CAN STILL DO THE WRITE THING. Make November your letter writing month. Before things get too hectic for the holidays and mail services get tangled up with last-minute senders, drop some words onto paper and send them out to your favorite people. Bring it up a notch and make your own stationery or take time to doodle on your letters to personalize them further. Even with the instant gratification of emails and texts, face times and e-cards, there is nothing quite like receiving a hand written letter. IF NOTHING ELSE.... Instead of treating November like stepping stool from Halloween to holidays, use it as a comfy armchair to pause and take a breather. In the autumn issue of The Picketwire, Hedgie makes some recommendations in the Snack Stand column to help you enjoy the moments of the season. SAVOR YOUR SIPS... don't chug your coffee, stop a minute and taste it. Set aside ten minutes devoted to your favorite beverage. Whether that means waking up early to watch the sunrise or pulling over at a park on your way to or from work, take a minute and do nothing while you enjoy your brew. For extra satisfaction, add snacks. And a sweater. Need something to read this month? Browse the Issue #4 of The Picketwire before winter gets here. The fall issue of The Picketwire can be browsed in its entirety by clicking the preview button or purchased for your hand-held tangible object reading pleasure. Click here for either option:
www.blurb.com/b/11349418-the-picketwire-fall-edition-2022 Check out Transylvania county, introduce yourself to Wayne, and follow along with Penelope on her surprise ride in Bald Eagle State Forest.
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Tales of Douglas Furr (and his friends)narrated by Crissy Clossin Archives
February 2024
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