The Cold of November is Here

Isn’t it fun to be bathed in darkness awaiting the rebirth of the Sun?

Photo by Niki Clark on Unsplash

The cold of November has been visiting. We see trees stripped bare to their bones. All of the daylight hours fell in on themselves. What we are waiting for is the season of light.

All the winter cold can begin to create frost on our windows. This is exciting. Some plants grow dormant, and animals are ready to hibernate away. We have lots of squirrels living in our area. Squirrels with black fur.

We often walk the Brock Trail. It used to be train tracks when I was a little girl. Now they are hiking trails about the city. We had been walking to my daughter’s gymnastics class along them when we heard a little black squirrel talking away.

I had no idea they could be that vocal.

Photo by Kristen Maarse on Unsplash

My daughter and I joked about what we would do if the squirrel attacked us. These bushy-tailed critters aren’t particularly aggressive. They enjoy sitting up in the trees. At this time of the year, they always seem to be eating nuts.

I recalled a time when sitting on a patio in Toronto when a squirrel came tumbling down and landed on my head. Someone suggested I play the lottery interpreting it as some kind of sign.

I am so glad we have the opportunity to see squirrels, chipmunks, and bunny rabbits as walk on the trail. These creatures belong here in our lives. We have some friendly chipmunks. My daughter has them sit on her lap when she feeds them.

One day I was lying sick in bed. I felt something hop up on my hip. It was a little chipmunk that had come inside the house. Even little rodents can be brave.

Photo by Christian Martin on Unsplash

Our home is near the train tracks. There is a lot of forest around. This means we see a good amount of wildlife. Sometimes foxes come into the yard.

I enjoy feeling the calm and stillness that winter brings. Soft, white snow blankets and insulates the earth.

It got dark so early tonight. It was pitch black when we left for Girl Guides.

We came home on the bus. We missed the one going in our direction, so ended up taking the bus from the beginning of its route upon its return. It takes an hour to drive us home.

We got to observe all of the Christmas lights and decorations. Colors floating in a pitch-black urban landscape. I thought about being a little girl. Asking my mother to drive around to see the Christmas lights in her car.

Often she didn’t want to spend the gas money.

The cold of November is here. The month is almost out the door.

In 5 days we welcome December.

It’s always good to listen to this song before November ends.

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