\nEven when I was a kid, November I realized as unique. It was day by day, without expectation.<\/p>\n
\nSeptember was still summer, exciting because of a new class. As October began, so did fall, in earnest. It yet carried some of September’s freshness, but also the anticipation of Halloween.<\/p>\n
In November, the newness of the school year – and the novelty of Halloween – expired. Everything was “what it was,” just day-to-day school and going home. As a kid, the idea of where it would lead was too distant to contemplate.<\/p>\n
I lived on a military base then: security was guaranteed. After supper I’d often go out and walk around, sometimes with a friend, sometimes alone. We’d visit the playground or other haunts. It would be long-since dark, of course.<\/p>\n
Halloween wrappers still lay on the ground, but were relics from a time impossible to return. We would talk about whatever’d happened that day or might happen tomorrow. We always enjoyed that, in the dark, the swings and see-saws were all ours.<\/p>\n
What made November different was that all the newness and novelty were gone, with what remained hard to describe. Back then, the Christmas season didn’t start in November.<\/p>\n
In PEI, November’s weather wasn’t even necessarily definable. I recall going to and from school some days wearing only a turtleneck sweater (I still remember it – it was purple.) My grade two teacher even commented that some November days, I didn’t wear a jacket. However, the days were often sunny and warm enough for a kid to play outside like a month earlier.<\/p>\n
So, for me, even back then, November was challenging to contemplate. No-one else seemed to notice; I’ve never heard anyone else mention this idea. However, it’s continued, for me: I still find November an intriguing time of year. Perhaps it’s a transition, like a station where no-one leaves the train.<\/p>\n
November might be my favourite month, because it’s so full of questions, like a road with no signs. Yet, I’ve always noticed that when I look again, it’s December. Then, I wonder how November disappeared, perhaps like the Halloween candy that never seemed to linger to December.<\/p>\nJack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane,<\/a> Campbell River, BC.\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-tutoring about various periods of year: the tutor reflects about November. Even when I was a kid, November I realized as unique. It was day by day, without expectation. September was still summer, exciting because of a new class. As …<\/p>\n