This is the eleventh in my series of 12 months in gender. If you would like to see the other 10 months, click here.
You may ask why I have been waiting for the calendar to flip over to November and there are a number of reasons.
Let’s start with the obvious which is the weather.
We usually hope for nice weather, especially as the little ones go trick or treating on the 31st day of October, but by the time the dawning of the first day of November rolls around, we are experiencing wind and/or rain and very chilly temperatures.
Many of the trees have dropped their leaves and their ragged bare branches look stark against numerous shades of grey and white skies.
Though sunny days may be rare in November…they still find a way of showing themselves, bringing a special warmth as I sit curled up in a flannel blanket with a good book.
Some call the month of November the quiet and forgotten month….
I don’t believe so.
Some say it is like old age as the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the Autumn leaves begin their turn into a brown brittleness that crunches and crumbles underfoot or in your hand.
Perhaps.
I like to think of it as the beginning of the personal family Holidays…starting with giving thanks for all things, not just the good things but all things, which means teachable and learning lessons for everyone.
Thanksgiving should be a time for reflection.
A warm and cozy time as we sit by the fire.
A time for families and friends.
A time for a cuppa hot tea and slices of warm pumpkin bread or moist apple cake with toasty walnuts.
The Thanksgiving season should be a time for slowing down and yet….,
…….some find it the beginning of stress and worry, a mere stepping stone towards the excitement and merriment of December.
I happen to love the month of November….but I may be prejudiced.
I identify with November.
Some say my personality is bright and sunny, an extrovert…. which would indicate a birth month of bright and sunny summer months.
I like to think that is true but I can also be quiet and solemn and reflective.
I can close the shutters and blinds and lose myself in a good book filled with recipes or eat sugar cookies frosted with colorful icing!
My dear readers, I won’t keep you in suspense any longer…. I believe November is a Miss…or more accurately …a Mrs.
You see November is my birth month.
And I am a mixture of everything from A to Z, the same as November.
The flower? The versatile Chrysanthemum.
The gemstone? The Citrine or Topaz.
Yes, November is my favorite month no matter the weather.
I can remember celebrating my birthday in fierce snow storms.
One year it was so nice and sunny that I went out to dinner without a coat.
And then there was the year that the evening drive home from my birthday celebration was shrouded with a vast blanket of white fog as it hung heavy over the roads. It suffocated every building and every tree at their base, swallowing every distant object and vanishing around every corner.
My favorite birthday celebration?
That is easy.
It was spent with the Captain, eating popcorn, drinking hot chocolate and watching the old black and white movie, Casablanca.
“Here’s looking at you kid”
Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord. Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Dear Kari, have a great birthday month, and I agree that you should celebrate every day of the month. We have had some 30’s this month, but it’s going to warm up again to the 60’s this weekend. I’m sorry to be so late to read your gender month, but life does get in the way of our pleasures. Yes, you’re lucky to have a man like The Captain. He’s a good one.
Love you both!
thanks Sandy….I hope all is well with you guys….you are such sweet and dear friends. Happy Thanksgiving my friend. Stay safe.
Hugs
Kari
Happy Birthday month, Kari! I have one sister whose birthday is in November. I hope you celebrate in both big and small ways, each and every day this month. I find November a bit melancholy, yet mixed with gratitude, it makes for a very reflective and restorative month, whether we’re talking family, garden, or life in general.
Oh Rita, I do love November but then when I think about it…I just love each month. They always bring us a new beginning of sorts as we travel life’s highways and byways. What a wonderful journey we are allowed to be a part of. The comfortable feelings of old friends and melding with new friends is always an added plus to the sometimes dismal weather!
thanks for stopping by my friend….
Hugs Always
Kari
Kari, I also love November. My favorite months are all the “ber” ones. I hope you celebrate your birthday all month. I wish I lived close and I would make sure you celebrate your special day the entire month of November.
I love this series and your lovely writing. Happy birthday, my friend!
Oh Pam, I would love that we were closer…perhaps one day our paths will cross…if not in this lifetime, then the hereafter, for sure.
When I worked for Boeing, my job required me to speak to a lady almost daily on the phone (she lived and worked in a different state) and we became friends and yet we had never met. And then after I moved to Florida, I was able to work from home for 3 years. And it so happened that she and her family decided to visit DisneyWorld which is about 150 miles across the state from me on the Gulf.
When she told me, of course I said I would drive to meet her! We had the best time and talked for hours. So who knows what the future holds? That is what makes life an adventure for us.
I value our friendship and look forward to meeting you personally someday.
Thank you for your kind words, I enjoy writing for sure.
Blessings Always!
Kari
Happy Birthday Month Kari! I hope you celebrate all month long! I love November, there is time to get cozy and relax before the holiday bustle takes over…and yes, time to reflect and be grateful…
Jenna
Thank you Jenna! I am certainly reflecting these days.
This morning, I enjoyed sipping a hot cup of tea …. as lately, the early morning hours have been very cool. Not cold by any stretch of the imagination, but a lot cooler. As soon as the sun peeps over the horizon, the temps slowly shoot back up to the 80’s, but before that.. in the very early morning hours, before the night sky lightens up… I sit quietly in my Secret Garden feeling so Blessed and lucky to have friends like you.
Thanks my friend for stopping by…Hugs and Blessings Always!
Awwww beautiful writing Kari. I have enjoyed this series of monthly reflections. You might make it into a book????? I would buy it. Happy Birthday too. I’m sure many people are giving thanks for the gift of you in our lives. X x x
AWE…Thanks Mags! There isn’t a day go by that I don’t thank God for my recovery from pancreatic cancer. It is truly a gift from God. And I am thankful for my sweet friends such as you. 🙂
How are you doing?
You must drop me an email and fill me in on all the happenings in Dublin.
I have been cleaning out closets/sorting through, etc (as I have lost so much weight) which also included a large jewelry box and today I saw the Irish Claddagh pin you gave me so many years ago….and I thought of you! I had not been wearing jewelry while sick (of course) and now I am wearing it again. AND you responded to my post today!! A wonderful surprise.
Luv ya dear friend
Kari
Hi Kari and Happy Birthday! It doesn’t matter the day as you can celebrate all month. I have really enjoyed your Gender Month series. I do love November as it is the beginning of the holidays for me and many. Quite a few special people in my life celebrate their birthday in November as well. I live in Maryland so November can be warm and sunny or cold and blustery or snowy. Always keeps us on our toes. Hope you enjoy your birthday month.
Thank you Lynda for your sweet wishes. Yes, I love to celebrate my birthday and I asked the Captain if a birthday ‘quarter of a year’ would be too much…even though, even I would think that a bit much. He laughed and said whatever I wanted. He is so sweet, God blessed me with this man.
Here in Florida we don’t have the drastic change in seasons, but we do have slight changes and today it seems like Fall as it has cooled down from the 80’s to the 60’s. We have visited Baltimore several times…gone to the Army/Navy games and visited Fort McHenry when it was so cold, I could hardly breathe… but Maryland is still a delightful place to visit.
Thank you again for stopping by, I really do appreciate you.
Kari