A Daybook Entry: November 2025

Happy Monday!  I try not to focus, or mention terribly often,  “how fast the weeks go by” (I mean, isn’t that what old people always say?!?) but, as I was preparing this monthly post, I looked at October’s daybook post.  In that post, I mentioned going to Lancaster for a few days and attending a fall festival.  Can I just say, that seems like months ago!  I would go so far as to say, I’d almost forgotten about it.  Good grief.  Good thing I put a few things in writing, here on the blog, or I just might be forgetting all the fun I’ve had!!  It was so warm on that fall festival day last month!  Fast forward to the end of November and, well, it has been overcast (plenty of clouds, no sun but little to no rain) and dreary for days.  And chilly.  I have refused to bring out my coat yet (it is called living in denial) but I have needed it, I hate to admit.  Nevertheless, it has been a full month.  And now, we have Thanksgiving just days away!  I love Thanksgiving:)  But let’s get a daybook entry completed for this current month.  Clouds and all…..

The Weather – has not been amazing, as I said.  There were several super windy days and, yes, just about all of the leaves have fallen.  I think the leaves from the entire neighborhood somehow find their way to our yard.  My poor hubbie rakes and rakes.  Then rakes again.  But I think we might be near the end of raking season.  I do hope the sun will come out soon.  Temperatures in the mid-50s are not too bad (and seem to be on repeat of late) but the endless skies of grey are just gloomy.  I am praying for sunshine on Thursday!

But look who has shown up on my porch almost every day for the last week!  Fall is his busy season, I do believe, and he also seems to really enjoy the pumpkins and squash still on display out there.  There are bites missing all around the pumpkins:)  I do hope he has been enjoying his own special Thanksgiving feast!  As much as I hate to pack fall and Thanksgiving away (or throw away, as necessary!!), I do think it is about time.  Sigh.

As I look outside my window  – a lot of the neighbors are getting in the Christmas spirit!  Every evening, another light display seems to come on and the street is starting too look festive.  For our own porch, we have actually ordered a couple new things for this year.  Just trying to “mix it up,” as they say.  However, not everything has arrived.  I’m hoping there will be some deliveries this week.  My neighbors across the street still have their oversized (very large) blow-up turkey out front.  So, hopefully, I will not be the last man standing with pumpkins and scarecrows.  And squirrels:)

This morning, I am – finishing my grocery list.  And heading to the store.  I want to remember everything I might need for this week (not necessarily for dinner on Thanksgiving as we go out to eat) and get it all in one trip.  One and done.  I do not want to make any grocery store visits any closer to Thursday.  I know they will be so crowded.  The lines for just about everything have already gotten out of control.  I don’t think it is just Thanksgiving, but the “holiday season” in general.  We tried to go to the mall on Saturday.  The mall?!?  What in the world were we thinking?  They had employed traffic/parking attendants (I suppose they were at least trying) but it was complete insanity.  We inched around the parking lot and one of the parking garages for about 20 minutes (mainly because we were stuck) before calling it quits.  If I never see a mall again, I will be completely okay with that.

Lately, I have been thinking about – the holidays.  Which is exactly what I said for this prompt last month.  The holidays occupy my thoughts often in these last few months of each year.  My heart genuinely feels for those who are hurting during the holidays.  There are many reasons that the holidays can be difficult – of just plain hard – for people.  And I struggle myself.  For a variety of reasons.  I wish there was more that I do.  Ways to connect and/or support others.  I wish I could better help meet needs.

What I am wearing – a few new sweaters that I have picked up lately.  I am trying to transition from closet from all (as in, allllll) the long duster type cardigans to actual sweaters instead.  I have found several cute ones lately and, if I’m refusing to get out my coat, I need to at least have on a sweater!  I know my British friends say jumper.  Which I find so interesting.  Why jumper?  But, then again, why sweater?  Words are fascinating to me.

Around the house – there is much to be done.  We have company coming next week.  I have been procrastinating with my cleaning (and things around the house in general) by telling myself I will deep clean and do things well early next week before she arrives.  But can I live with the dust until then?  It is looking rather shabby around here.

My To-Do List –  the grocery shopping.  Making pies.  Baking some apple pie cookies.  A birthday lunch with a friend.  Maybe switch out the sheets.  Is it cool/cold enough at night for warmer sheets??  I also think I will pull out my Christmas/winter dishes.  I have not done so in several years and, well, I’m just feeling a little festive this year.  Oh, and perhaps, a little dusting.  Getting a jump start on next week would not hurt a thing!

And, from my camera – some Thanksgiving blessing mix that I put together for a group of friends at church.  My husband heads up a monthly breakfast meeting for the “senior” men.  Last week, all of the wives joined and we had a full group for breakfast.  We took each of the couples of bag of this mix.  And I made a pretty jar of it for our neighbors as well.  After all that, I really did not taste much (or any) of it.  My hubbie said it was good.  Let’s hope so:)

I hope everyone has a great Monday.  I know many have plans and busy schedules this week.  Here’s to safe travels..and to sweet times with family and friends throughout the week.  I do plan to post on Wednesday and Friday. I hope you will stop by again!