November, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
November was actually named for the ninth month of the year, as that is what it was in the ancient Roman calendar.
For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, November mainly signifies Autumn, when the days get shorter, darker and – even here in sunny California – decidedly cooler. And, while many of our trees never do lose all their leaves, there are some that are becoming noticeably naked.
Many other parts of the country now have gorgeous, colorful fall trees. But I don’t mind too much that our trees are mostly just green. Green is my favorite color, after all.
So, November means FALL, but what else does it mean? Well, in America, of course, we think of Thanksgiving. But there are actually a number of other countries who celebrate similar Thanksgiving Day holidays at this time of year, which is also the time of year when many people have historically celebrated the Harvest.
For writers (which I like to consider myself as being), November is National Novel Writing Month. And maybe there will be some November, someday when I will actually participate in this venture. I would love to – but my life so far just does not allow me the luxury of time to do that much writing.
November 4th this year is Voting Day. I am happy to report I voted by mail and sent my ballot in last week.
And finally, later this month (Nov. 22) kicks off my astrological birth-sign, so I suppose this should be a good time of the year for me. And I guess I can’t complain so far.
Happy Harvest!
And here’s my 31-point-plan (certainly not one of my best – but I just didn’t have it in me this month).