November 7th. Last night, we had our first hard frost here in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania and, except in protected spots, that’s it for the flowers. And for most of the leaves.
As mentioned in earlier posts, second grade for me included memorizing Helen Hunt Jackson’s poems for September and October. I couldn’t remember a November poem and, having looked it up, I can see why! It beautifully captures November in the North, but lacks the rhyming cadences that would make it fun to recite.
This is the treacherous month when autumn days
With summer’s voice come bearing summer’s gifts.
Beguiled, the pale down-trodden aster lifts
Her head and blooms again. The soft, warm haze
Makes moist once more the sere and dusty ways,
And, creeping through where dead leaves lie in drifts,
The violet returns. Snow noiseless sifts
Ere night, an icy shroud, which morning’s rays
Will idly shine upon and slowly melt,
Too late to bid the violet live again.
The treachery, at last, too late, is plain;
Bare are the places where the sweet flowers dwelt.
What joy sufficient hath November felt?
What profit from the violet’s day of pain?
Fortunately, we are distracted from the worsening weather by all November’s events, many in just the first half! For example, the first Tuesday after the first Monday are elections — which can be celebrated by winner and loser alike if only for bringing an end to the barrage of TV ads and robot phone calls.
Baseball is over, of course, and football is in full swing, from Pop Warner and Vince Lombardi to the big guys on TV. The Vroom! Vroom! Storybook Quilt is all about getting to the big game — with the star player in his hot car.
Imagine cuddling up under this quilt and reading the matching story on cold November nights!
November’s important Veteran’s Day has become even more treasured in the past few years, as more young veterans have seen actual combat. It’s a solemn occasion, usually, although we all should celebrate the bravery and willingness-to-serve of our troops, present and past.
What’s happening in your November — the first half? I’d love to hear!
