Here it is, the end of November, after the blessings of the families reconnecting at Thanksgiving: sons and their families, grandchildren, walks, food, and fires, laughter and talk. It is a retuning to our most important human impulses and the joy and satisfaction that comes with it.
And then there was a shot of intellectual stimulation with a visit from a friend, here to give a presentation on world affairs, with his inside information and perspective on the events in the world. Although it is a time for a pause in my daily writing, my mind is now brimming with new ideas and encouragement to return to new writings and some older topics. It is about my recommitment to finding workable solutions to human problems we all face. It reignites my creativity.
Now those social events are finished, and I can again settle into a more normal daily routine. That routine is quite wonderful by itself. It involves mornings with tea before the fire with my life mate, my wonderful wife, doing the daily crossword and then reading aloud, right now a book about the Danube River, a book of poetry, and a history of Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Then on to my writing, with a short tea break in the morning and finally lunch together at noon. And then, if all goes well, a nap followed by a walk, perhaps a TV program and then dinner. (I should mention that my wife is a wonderful cook and baker, so we always eat well.). And then a winding down evening before bed.
This is late November weather, perhaps a bit warmer this year without any snow accumulation, sadly. The yard is full of birds at the feeder, mostly finches and chickadees with some woodpeckers and nuthatches. There are the ubiquitous squirrels and chipmunks and there are still the morning turkeys outside my office or in the yard toward the river. The river has some morning ice on the edges and sometimes floating down with the current.
But mostly it is the rather grey and leafless November weather that makes us yearn for snow to cheer things up.
More of an indoor time for reflection, to refocus on my thinking, reading and writing and celebrate this version of life in all its wonder.
“It is about my recommitment to finding workable solutions to human problems we all face.”
I am so thankful that you see that as your purpose, Bob. Let me know how I can help.
Joey