Ghosts of November

Most people think of October as the ghostly month, what with Halloween and all, but November seems much more haunted to me. Trees are bare now, or mostly so, and the sun sits lower in the sky, setting earlier, and is more likely to be enshrouded by clouds. This is the grey month, when the Earth goes to sleep and thoughts turn inward.

I went out for a walk today, despite the rain. It was only misting at that point, so a hat was sufficient for keeping the rain out of my eyes. The sidewalks were littered with yellow leaves, and I had to navigate around puddles, so my eyes were cast downward for much of my walk. I went downtown, and out E. Main as far as the sidewalk went, then crossed the street and headed back; about two miles round trip. The streetlights were already coming on as I neared home, and thankfully the heavy rain didn't return. I was only slightly damp, easily fixed by a change of clothing and some hot herbal tea.

Here is how November looks in my mind, taken a couple of years ago, on Thanksgiving I think:



Misty, grey, and bare. A very melancholy month.

Ghosts of November

Most people think of October as the ghostly month, what with Halloween and all, but November seems much more haunted to me. Trees are bare now, or mostly so, and the sun sits lower in the sky, setting earlier, and is more likely to be enshrouded by clouds. This is the grey month, when the Earth goes to sleep and thoughts turn inward.

I went out for a walk today, despite the rain. It was only misting at that point, so a hat was sufficient for keeping the rain out of my eyes. The sidewalks were littered with yellow leaves, and I had to navigate around puddles, so my eyes were cast downward for much of my walk. I went downtown, and out E. Main as far as the sidewalk went, then crossed the street and headed back; about two miles round trip. The streetlights were already coming on as I neared home, and thankfully the heavy rain didn't return. I was only slightly damp, easily fixed by a change of clothing and some hot herbal tea.

Here is how November looks in my mind, taken a couple of years ago, on Thanksgiving I think:



Misty, grey, and bare. A very melancholy month.