November 30, 2016
November 2016 retained its high place in my calendar ladder. Let me tell you of particulars.
Unfortunately I must admit here at the beginning that the single biggest event — the election — has been, for me, devastating and disheartening. My harp is hanging on the willow tree.
But let’s move on. The Cubs won the World Series. I saw two plays “Nun of your business” by Promise Keepers (in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) and “A Nice Family Gathering” by Epilogue Players (in Indianapolis) . The board of Garfield Shakespeare Company met; I felt a bit more comfortable in this second meeting. It’s been a good month for reading: Paul Tillich’s The Dynamics of Faith; HiYun Li’s Kinder than Solitude; and Joan Didion’s A Book of Common Prayer.
November made for good walking at Fort Ben State Park, Pennsy Trail, Pleasant Run Trail, a six-miler in Montgomery County, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Indianapolis Central Canal Towpath, Heritage Trail, Monon Trail and here within Irvington. I walked 64 miles. Yoga class is helping me locate new muscles.
I aspired to take six excellent photos. Here are the submissions.
November 4 — On route 13 north of Indianapolis
November 6 — The Susquehanna River seen from Chickies Rock (Pennsylvania).
November 14 — Frosty walk in Fort Ben.
November 19 — Patience paid off. It finally piked out its head to look at me.
November 20 – An interesting illusion on my walk.
November 25 — Lucy gets some help to cross Lye Creek.
It should be no surprise that people graced the month and me.
* In Goshen, so good to see JR, Sue, Del, Ervin, Phyllis, Roy and Lois …
* …but the big treat was visiting Ellah Wakatama’s class followed by coffee.
* In Pennsylvania my two brothers Merv and Ken and their spouses,
* also Vern a brother-in-law.
* A stop-in visit with Marv.
* On the first Tuesday, the writers group.
* At the Emporius, the Urban Farmers.
* Coffee with Dave K, Rudy, Bob and Jay.
* Correspondence with Loren.
* Birthday mashed potatoes and sauer kraut with Courtney.
* Breakfast out with Joy and Carri.
*Sorry not to celebrate Jordan’s 21st with him in Salt Lake City.
November work? At Winter Wood installing two more compost bins, packing sweet potatoes, and dish washing. By e-mail coaching two memoir writers Erv and Pat. At home, putting the garden and garage into winter shape and giving the snow blower a test drive. The water barrels are empty but I haven’t re-set the foundation yet. Nor have I worked on Courtney’s sculpture patio.
Unfortunately, I didn’t write much. The one poem is dark, dark enough that I can’t locate it in my files! But I have thought about beginning a collection on significant quotations about grace.
Thanksgiving with family members was wondrous. My gratitude for family is unbounded. I wrote a blog about our day (See previous post). Thanksgiving food is just one reason that I haven’t lost four pounds this month.
Tonight November comes to an end. The temp is falling, getting us ready for December. I shall enter it with a coat on and with many beloved memories of November.
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