This monthly thing is getting to be a pleasant habit. I no longer feel guilty for not writing about every single thing that we did on a day-to-day basis. The only problem is that I am feeling a need to come up with monthly adjectives for the title. Nifty seemed quite nice after almost choosing numinous, but I discovered that in addition to "a spiritual quality", numinous could indicate religious significance. Not so much. I must say, however, that the brilliant colors of November were definitely spiritual.
November for us was a beautifully quiet month, dominated by the spectacular colors of the oaks here at home and the many varieties of hardwood trees that are part of our city. Grants Pass is a "River City", but it is also designated as a "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation. As one of more than 3,400 cities in the country, these cities must meet certain standards There must be a Tree Board or Department legally responsible for the care of all trees on city-owned property, a Public Tree Care Ordinance, a Community Forestry Program, and an Arbor Day Observance.
I didn't know any of this when I first moved here. I was awed by the trees that are planted here. Our native slopes surrounding the city are a mix of conifers and oaks, with color limited to muted oranges and tans, and maybe a bit of bright yellow for the cottonwoods.
But in town, the brilliant reds, pinks, and hot orange colors are dominated by sweet gums, maples, and red oaks. Every spring I think maybe I love the warmth and colors of the spring the best, but this fall I knew that nope, it is fall that is my favorite season.
Fall lasts a long time here, with the leaves beginning to change in mid-October and reaching their peak color in early November. The last of the leaves hold on until December.
This year it rained so much during leaf season that Mo and I had to wait for somewhat dry days to get all those leaves raked, loaded, and hauled to the local compost facility. It is always a big job, and every year I look up at those 170-year-old oaks on our property and say, Thank You. Thank you for the wonderful shade and protection you give to our home in the hot summers, the brilliance of opening leaves in spring, and most of all the gorgeous warmth of fall.
A few other simple joys filled the early days of November, including a visit from a long-time friend from Northern Idaho. Joan and her husband Gordon finally decided to give up their summer life on Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint and move permanently to Moro Bay, California. She wrote to me asking if she could spend a night with us here on her way south. It was a sweet visit, made even more special because Daughter Deborah knew Joan from the years she shared in the women's group that Joan and I were part of for almost 15 years. Sweet times, and sweet memories.
On November 11, Deborah joined us for the traditional Veteran's Day dinner at Applebee's to honor Mo's military service. It is a tradition Mo and I have followed ever since the day more than 12 years ago when we stopped at an Applebee's in Ukiah, California on our way home from a trip south. We had no clue Mo was eligible for a free meal that day, and since then we have managed to find an Applebee's to enjoy almost every year.
Mo and I spent a lovely afternoon at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center thrilling to a wonderful rendition of a violin solo of the Lark Ascending and Brahm's First Symphony. Our conductor often chooses interesting music and at each concert that we attend as part of our subscription, I learn much about music that I didn't know. Even though I played Brahms and Beethoven on the piano, I never knew that Brahms was intimidated by Beethoven and spent 26 years writing music before he attempted this first symphony.
Of course, the big event every November is Thanksgiving. We were excited to once again have the chance to host the holiday here at home. My grandkids living in Albany weren't able to come, but Daughter Melody and Robert drove from Brownsville to spend the day and the night, Daughter Deborah and Grandson Matthew and Matthew's sweetheart joined us, and best friends Maryruth and Gerald rounded out the party.
As always, I had fun creating an interesting Thanksgiving table. I have too many dishes, and too much stuff, and am always attempting to downsize a bit. Instead, I needed some new placemats, a few seasonal plates and amber goblets to add to the atmosphere. Yes, decorating is an addiction that I fully admit.
We had a traditional dinner, with roast turkey, dressing, and gravy. I made the orange-brandied yams I have made for 4 decades but added the tiny marshmallows to the top for old-time sake. Deb made her classic creamed vegetables and Melody contributed her famous apple pie with the most perfect crust ever. Robert contributed his famous deviled eggs for our before-dinner appetizer and his also famous potato casserole. It was a perfect dinner.
Melody and Robert are still knitting and crocheting with speeds that I can barely believe. I have been working on a sweater and managed to drop a bunch of stitches that I couldn't pick up. I was devastated. Melody said on the phone to me, "Don't worry, Mom, Robert can fix it". And fix it he did. My sweater is once again on track and when December slows down a bit I can get back to knitting again. Robert would have it finished in days, and I think I might take a few months. I have had the yarn since I first started knitting in 2004, so maybe I will finish the sweater in 2025. Is 21 years a bit too long for knitting a sweater?
Mattie loves having company and loves getting Thanksgiving treats. Once everyone left she pouted for part of a day before deciding that Mo and I weren't completely boring and we could go back to our regular routine.
