  Welcome to November! Have you ever felt there are days that crawl and days that fly by? If you haven't felt this in the past, I would imagine you might be experiencing it this year. I congratulate you for making it to pumpkin season. Here in Ohio pumpkin season means a change in seasons. Our weather begins to hint at the cold of the coming winter. One day can be almost 70 degrees F and the next can be near freezing. The leaves have been changing colors for a few weeks now and one or two good windy days leaves many of those trees without many leaves. Some home owners spend hours raking leaves only to have the wind (or a child) destroy the hard work. Furnace filters are changed out and many an early morning or late evening will find us either using the furnace or lighting a small fire in the fireplace. We start to consider what is needed before the first frost, if it hasn't already occurred. Winter is around the corner. This past October had me craving pumpkin pie, which is off because I'm not usually a pumpkin pie kind of person. Personally, I prefer a good chocolate pie. I spent some time pondering this unexpected craving and I finally came upon the reason for it - I was craving a reminder of "normal." See, "normal" when I was growing up was planning how to best navigate a filled-up October, November, and December. There are many holidays in those three months. ALmost every one of the events during these months revolved around food, family, and friends (the almighty triangle.) There was traveling involved most of the time. During the week was school and on the weekends was everything else. We pulled out winter clothes and packed up, or gave away, summer clothes. New purchases usually included sturdy shoes, a bigger than needed coat, hat and gloves, and eventually the long-anticipated holiday gifts! It was true that winter was almost here, that didn't dampen the thrill of jumping in the raked leaves, the changing of the seasons, and the anticipation of the holidays. While I am by no means a fan of pumpkin flavored warm drinks, foods, or adult beverages, I am going to find me a good pumpkin pie or two this pumpkin season. I feel this year I owe myself a little bit of "normal." I am going to encourage you to infuse your pumpkin season with some normal this year. Many adults are working from home. Students are bouncing between virtual learning and an in-person education. We are spending hours on top of each other but not able to socialize in a manner that is healthy and needed. Find as much as you can and make it part of each month, each week, and even each day, if possible.  |
