November, 2005
Oh, it’s November.
This November 2005, there are still leaves on the trees - sort of yellow/sort of light green.
November in New England is a transition month. The pumpkins and squash that we (at least here in New London, NH) use for decorations inside and outside our homes are starting to sag and look limp. It’s time to add them to the compost pile. The Indian corn that many people hang on their doors has been scavenged by hungry birds, chipmunks and other creatures.
I remember the fall that I had a beautiful display of Indian corn, gourds and small pumpkins in a spectacular old blue-painted Irish potato tray on my dining room table. I’d walk in every day or two and admire my decorating and artistic skills.
Then the weather changed and became wintry. Stephanie (my cleaning lady, laundress - “She-Who-Takes-Care-of-the-House”) told me the mousetraps were suddenly being filled as the mice sought the warmth inside the house.
The ears of Indian corn displayed on the dining room table were being denuded of kernels. The field mice had discovered the BUFFET “prepared” for them in my dining room!
I also have a few beautiful “corn driers” that are metal. You stick corn cobs or even apples on the points. The ones I had hanging on my front door were also denuded. Only the cobs remained.
The mice, chipmunks, red squirrels and birds UNdecorated my house inside and out. A HARD winter ahead!
Time to pause and plan my Thanksgiving dinner. Let’s see. A turkey hot dog stuffed with bacon and cheese, a baked potato and a big piece of homemade “punkin” pie!
(By the way, in my opinion, the best pumpkin for pies is “One-Pie” pumpkin from One Pie Canning Company, West Paris, Maine. The design of the can is also WONDERFUL. They also make a “One-Pie” squash for those that prefer squash to pumpkin.)
Enough for now.
Happy November and Happy Thanksgiving!
Let’s get ready for Christmas!
Illustration Copyright (c) 1977, 2004 by Tomie dePaola. From the book, FOUR FRIENDS IN AUTUMN, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, published by Simon & Schuster, 2004.