It’s a cool – cold to some – November day, with a northerly wind of about ten knots barreling all the way down to central southern Ontario, from the arctic circle. A day for sitting, writing, composing or merely thinking about what should be done in the garden, by those of us who are keen gardeners (includes me) ere the truly biting winds of winter blast what little summer plants still survive, into extinction!
For myself it’s also an ideal time for ruminating, contemplating and formulating plans for the upcoming winter months. Once November arrives, it never seems a time for much outside activity, except for those few essential chores, that can never be carried out in earlier months. After a certain age – which I feel I’ve reached – one tends to find excuses “why” remaining inside the warm confines of the house, is preferable to donning warmer, heavier and cumbersome clothing to carry out a chore that could well remain undone, until next spring – provided I’m still around to carry it out!
November however, is the month that can and often does, provide me with time enough to start on many ‘computer’ ideas, intentions and changes I’ve been mulling over during the warmer summer months. It’s an ideal time to catch up on poetry, blogs, essays, and other literary ‘dreams’ I would pursue – ideas already considered in some depth. Furthermore it allows me to sit without having my conscience bugging me to ‘get cracking’ outside! On the other hand, it (conscience) does tend to suggest I should waste no more time, and begin on my winter programme immediately, just in case, there is no tomorrow! One never knows do they?
November is also a month that sets into motion a whole series of celebratory events in our household. Family birthdays follow one after the other until March, although several are no longer celebrated today, as those to whom a date would be applicable, have passed on to the next world. Either side of Christmas in particular, was one of those times, when half the family celebrated the birth or death of a much loved relation or friend. These, along with other notable occasions, for it is a busy period for Wedding celebrations, with no less than three family weddings celebrated within two weeks of Christmas Day. Unusual too in that all three took place on a Sunday – including ours! Not intentionally planned that way as it was only after the event, that we discovered these facts. 58 glorious, loving years this December 19th! Who, at the time, ever would have thought it?!!
November is also a month which allows me to review events that have affected my wife, myself, and our family since this time last year. Not the best of years as far as I’m concerned as illness overtook me in June and continues in a lesser manner, even today. It will be – or so the medics advise me – a lengthy recovery process, that will not and cannot be hurried along. Patience was never my strongest point, but I am slowly beginning to accept the opinions and prognosis of experts, who seem to know what they’re talking about. If they don’t? Who amongst us can put them straight? Not me for sure. A year ago it was my wife who was still a long way from complete recovery. This was the result of a bad concussion suffered in the month of March. An eighteen month recuperation, that had me desperately worried for a very long time. Fortunately, it would seem she has completely recovered, and just in time for the care giving attention, she has given me this past five months. Without it, I doubt I would be here writing today! Other family member have suffered some ill health as well, but now it would seem, all are recovered or close to being 100% again!
Yes November has always played a big part in my life, not only because it is the month in which I was born, but it has seen many events which have played a significant part in my life. I eagerly look forward to the month which, despite all the negativity heard regarding it, has a lot going for it, if only we take the time to check. Not just because of the Remembrance Parades: American Presidential election, or their Thanksgiving, but for many other important happenings throughout the world. Certainly, the weather plays a big part as well, for it truly is the transitional month from autumn to winter. It can be a gentle month: it can be a diabolical month: but above all, it is an interestingly unpredictable month, that tends to keep all of us guessing. That’s besides the meteorologists who find it one of the most difficult months to predict the onset of all things cold and snowy!
I will now close out this rant, and return to my first passion. Namely writing poetry, which is a hobby, that allows me the freedom to express my feelings, loves, hates and everything in between, in a way most suited to me. Without its ability to completely engulf and absorb me in its composition, I fear my days, in any month, would be boring and mundane, but more so in November. Through my poetry I have been blessed in contacting numerous like minded individuals, of all ages, from all walks of life, domiciled in many countries, but all possessed of an overriding passion, for the written word. Poetry in all its many forms, has much to offer the free thinkers of this world. When put to good use, it is and can be, a most formidable weapon, as William Shakespeare knew full well, using it to the full when it suited his plans.
But for now. Sayonara. Denis.
November 2, 2012 by rhymersretreat
It’s a cool – cold to some – November day, with a northerly wind of about ten knots barreling all the way down to central southern Ontario, from the arctic circle. A day for sitting, writing, composing or merely thinking about what should be done in the garden, by those of us who are keen gardeners (includes me) ere the truly biting winds of winter blast what little summer plants still survive, into extinction!
For myself it’s also an ideal time for ruminating, contemplating and formulating plans for the upcoming winter months. Once November arrives, it never seems a time for much outside activity, except for those few essential chores, that can never be carried out in earlier months. After a certain age – which I feel I’ve reached – one tends to find excuses “why” remaining inside the warm confines of the house, is preferable to donning warmer, heavier and cumbersome clothing to carry out a chore that could well remain undone, until next spring – provided I’m still around to carry it out!
November however, is the month that can and often does, provide me with time enough to start on many ‘computer’ ideas, intentions and changes I’ve been mulling over during the warmer summer months. It’s an ideal time to catch up on poetry, blogs, essays, and other literary ‘dreams’ I would pursue – ideas already considered in some depth. Furthermore it allows me to sit without having my conscience bugging me to ‘get cracking’ outside! On the other hand, it (conscience) does tend to suggest I should waste no more time, and begin on my winter programme immediately, just in case, there is no tomorrow! One never knows do they?
November is also a month that sets into motion a whole series of celebratory events in our household. Family birthdays follow one after the other until March, although several are no longer celebrated today, as those to whom a date would be applicable, have passed on to the next world. Either side of Christmas in particular, was one of those times, when half the family celebrated the birth or death of a much loved relation or friend. These, along with other notable occasions, for it is a busy period for Wedding celebrations, with no less than three family weddings celebrated within two weeks of Christmas Day. Unusual too in that all three took place on a Sunday – including ours! Not intentionally planned that way as it was only after the event, that we discovered these facts. 58 glorious, loving years this December 19th! Who, at the time, ever would have thought it?!!
November is also a month which allows me to review events that have affected my wife, myself, and our family since this time last year. Not the best of years as far as I’m concerned as illness overtook me in June and continues in a lesser manner, even today. It will be – or so the medics advise me – a lengthy recovery process, that will not and cannot be hurried along. Patience was never my strongest point, but I am slowly beginning to accept the opinions and prognosis of experts, who seem to know what they’re talking about. If they don’t? Who amongst us can put them straight? Not me for sure. A year ago it was my wife who was still a long way from complete recovery. This was the result of a bad concussion suffered in the month of March. An eighteen month recuperation, that had me desperately worried for a very long time. Fortunately, it would seem she has completely recovered, and just in time for the care giving attention, she has given me this past five months. Without it, I doubt I would be here writing today! Other family member have suffered some ill health as well, but now it would seem, all are recovered or close to being 100% again!
Yes November has always played a big part in my life, not only because it is the month in which I was born, but it has seen many events which have played a significant part in my life. I eagerly look forward to the month which, despite all the negativity heard regarding it, has a lot going for it, if only we take the time to check. Not just because of the Remembrance Parades: American Presidential election, or their Thanksgiving, but for many other important happenings throughout the world. Certainly, the weather plays a big part as well, for it truly is the transitional month from autumn to winter. It can be a gentle month: it can be a diabolical month: but above all, it is an interestingly unpredictable month, that tends to keep all of us guessing. That’s besides the meteorologists who find it one of the most difficult months to predict the onset of all things cold and snowy!
I will now close out this rant, and return to my first passion. Namely writing poetry, which is a hobby, that allows me the freedom to express my feelings, loves, hates and everything in between, in a way most suited to me. Without its ability to completely engulf and absorb me in its composition, I fear my days, in any month, would be boring and mundane, but more so in November. Through my poetry I have been blessed in contacting numerous like minded individuals, of all ages, from all walks of life, domiciled in many countries, but all possessed of an overriding passion, for the written word. Poetry in all its many forms, has much to offer the free thinkers of this world. When put to good use, it is and can be, a most formidable weapon, as William Shakespeare knew full well, using it to the full when it suited his plans.
But for now. Sayonara. Denis.
Related
Posted in Present and General Thoughts | Tagged Commentary | Leave a Comment
Comments RSS