Some days, I just feel a little bit sad. I can't help it, and I don't always understand it. It creeps over me in a wistful haze and I can never pinpoint what exactly has caused me to feel so melancholy. So I drink tea and eat toast with butter on it and page through my favorite books and spend the day quietly. And even though feeling a bit down for no reason can be complicated, I love it. It's part of me and I have found that black, white, and grey are actually some of life's lovelier colors.
This month is my favorite one. November is quiet and cold. It encourages cuddles on a soft couch and whipped cream on top of warm beverages. It's slower than other months. It is frozen, cloudy mornings and early nights and a thin sheet of frost on windshields. It's grey in the very best way.
It is the calm before the storm of frenzied shopping and holiday planning. It's a long weekend of family, favorite dishes and naps in the middle of the day. It's a story by a fireplace. There's apple pie and there are martinis; plenty of both.
What does November mean to you?
I woke up this morning to snow dusted across sidewalks and tree branches, slowly being washed away by a muffled rainfall. I love snow. I love rain. This combination of the two was just exactly what I needed this Saturday.
I walked into the dark living room and turned the heat on, waiting for that click and the smell of electric warmth that follows. After taking a shower and curling my hair, I finally decided to just put a hat on and slipped into some boots. I was walking to the door, umbrella in hand when my phone rang and my boss, Bahar, was on the other line. She told me that all the shops on the Downtown Mall were pretty much closed or closing, so if I was still at home I could just stay there.
Rob was still in bed and didn't have to be at work until ten, so I woke him up and we headed to Para for some coffee. Saturday morning together used to be our thing, but we haven't had a free one in months.
It's cold out there.
I'm not a big Halloween fan, but the end of October is one of my favorite times of the year. I find myself truly happy when surrounded with the sound of rain falling, a warm cup, a dry blanket and a good book.