“November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year”
~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
People often complain about the dreariness of November. Mr. H is not a grumbler in general, but he does often grumble about November. There is something monotonous and even depressing, here in England, about the onset of the dark months. The days are still growing shorter, it is getting colder, the winds whip the last of the dry, brown leaves off the trees and the rain – oh, the rain – it comes down sideways in gales, or it swirls around in the gentle air currents, creeping underneath our hoods and brollies. The rain can be unrelenting, and yes, the month can feel very disagreeable, indeed.
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold rather a large amount of Gratitude.” ~ A.A. Milne
My favourite American holiday has always been Thanksgiving. When I was a child I looked forward to the dining table groaning with roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pie, as well as the fact that my birthday sometimes coincided with the fourth Thursday of November. When I became an adult and entered the workforce the four day weekend shone as a beacon in the midst of the short, dreary days of driving to and from work in the darkness of late autumn. As time marched on and I experienced my share of the griefs and joys that make up a life, the actual meaning of the day began to take on greater significance. It may be hokey, but I actually do like to take time to think about all I have to be thankful for on this day. Continue reading →
An American Wife in Wiltshire 