Bits of Real-Life November

When I first started writing this -- which was mid-November, right before we visited the kids -- it was  a glorious November day, one of several. The temperature hit 65, and maybe even topped it. The sun was out and there was no real wind! It couldn't have been a better (or more unusual) day for the season. When you have a day like that, you grab it. We know what is around the corner. Today there is snow -- and so cold!

But on that earlier lovely day, I headed down to the ditch and was pleased to see my buddy Harry was still in town.  

The color is largely gone, but what was there made for some lovely reflections.

It appears that most of the birds have disappeared, too. But this robin, high in a tree, was having a grand day! (Although today at the feeder, it's sparrow food fight! That's what a little snow will do to Birdland!)

Rick had a good month too. Nicholas Goluses, a guitarist who heads the guitar program at Eastman School of Music, was doing a concert in town and Rick managed to get a private lesson with him. I've rarely seen Rick so over the moon. He picked up some wonderful technique advice and also some praise and excellent feedback.

I stopped by after the lesson and enjoyed chatting with Nick and with Rick's own guitar teacher, Brad, who studied under Nick at Eastman. It was a grand time.

A fellow who does home energy analysis for Consumers Power (one of our power companies) came by to check out insulation and areas where drafts get it. It was fascinating to watch him. First, he put this barrier and fan into the doorway to suck out the air from the house. 

Then he could measure where the air was coming in -- mostly through soffits, around windows and in some areas where the insulation might be a bit shallow. 

(He even went into the basement, which is always a little embarrassing, but I asked him not to judge). I certainly need some things done, and unfortunately, they're aren't the pretty kinds of things -- like "Look at my lovely new sofa!" They're the things you don't see, but are important. So, it's all on the list.

And, I picked up my poinsettias from the Symphony fundraiser. I got three four-inch pots but they really are quite full and generous. Best of all, it's a good cause.

 After a haircut and a doc appointment and a fistful of errands (oil change, grocery store, a return, and an emergency visit to the dentist to get out a piece of dental floss that broke in my teeth), it was off to join Rick and the grands!

 And yes, Thanksgiving was nice. Rick's mom was here, so just the three of us, but the feast was worthy of a crowd! (The aftermath? Not so much fun the next morning!)

And, for the first time in ages, our whole tribe was able to be together, if not for Thanksgiving Day, then a couple of days after!

 

If you missed my post about the art sale (it was good!), my Gypsy Caravan link is up and running HERE -- in case you see anything you want for holiday gifts! 

I'd say November has been a pretty terrific month, considering it included "falling back" with the time change (not my favorite) and a few bumps in the road (the MRSA/pseudomonas infection is back again)! But it's the merry season, so onward!

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