November is the eleventh month of the year.
November is a month when the clock falls back an hour; the weather portends cold days and snowy days, and we celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Everyone, well almost everyone, enjoys the setback of the clock. I am one of the well almost group.
I might enjoy the extra hour of sleep if I didn’t wake up according to my internal clock. Even if I conquered my internal clock, I can’t control my dog’s clock.
On “turn back morning” as I struggle to doze the extra hour, my dogs recognize I am awake. “Feed us,” their whines say. This year, I silenced them with a not yet. Bear and Duke grumbled before settling. An hour later I got up, and feed them according to the clock’s schedule.
Preview of winter days
The changed clock brings cold weather. I am convinced Mother Nature waits until we turn the clock back to drop the temperatures into the ’40s and ’50s, or less on dry days. The early arrival of darkness ensures even colder nighttime temperatures.
I don’t mind the drop in temperature when I sit comfortably in my easy chair. I mind when I am at an outdoor soccer practice, and the sun has been down for two hours. Thermals and the long sleeve shirt and long pants replace the Pipeline training shirt and shorts worn in October. I am less active than the coach and players, so I add a heavy jacket.
Colder temperatures further frustrate me. They bring cold rain, freezing rain, and snow. I tolerate snow easier than any variation of cold rain.
Snow guarantees slick–slick sidewalks and slick streets. In Maryland, drivers understand how dangerous snow is (but don’t drive like it). Many drivers stay home rather than drive in the snow. Rain brings out those drivers without the sense of danger snow gave them.
Brrrr cold, can’t wait for spring and warming temperatures.
Armistice Day was a federal holiday in November until 1954. It marked the end of World War One (WWI). The Armistice went into effect the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In 1954, President Dwight D.Eisenhower signed a bill renaming Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Armistice Day recognized the veterans of WWI. Veterans Day recognizes all veterans.
Veterans Day hasn’t always been celebrated on November 11th. The United States celebrated Veterans Day in October for four years in the 1970s. Since on November 11th.
Thanksgiving Day is the second federal holiday in November. Wikipedia notes there were many celebrations of thanksgiving in our country’s founding days. One marked the safe arrival in Virginia of a group of English Settlers. Another a celebration at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
People in the United States, Canada, and Liberia celebrate Thanksgiving Day,
Our celebration of Thanksgiving included my niece and her family from Washington, Illinois. Their Thanksgiving week memories include more than the turkey dinner at our house.
They made the trek early and enjoyed time to visit Pittsburg, PA., Washington, DC, Antietam National Battlefield, Baltimore Inner Harbor, and Fort McHenry. I enjoyed hearing they enjoyed their time and look forward to a return visit.
There are thought, feelings, or impressions of the 11thmonth you could add using the comment form. Don’t be shy, what did November bring to your life.