Almost Gone

 The reality of November bites when we switched back to standard time. I like the daylight in the mornings but the early evening darkness is still a bit shocking. Along with stormy weather, it makes settling in for a long evening a thing I am compelled to do. 

Today we are having a respite from wind and rain, but it will return tomorrow. I have been able to walk the last three mornings and we did more yard clean up. It does seem pointless to pick up branches and rake leaves and tree debris when it will all get undone, but the exercise and fresh air feel good and the results look tidy even for a short time. We keep the yard waste bins full.

All of the pretty leaves are almost gone. This is the Fern Leaf Full Moon Maple in the front yard, now almost bare. The Chickadees and Juncos are finding it easier to flit about as they visit the feeder.

Only a few red leaves are left in the back yard. Tom has mowed twice, using the chopped up leaves as mulch in the nearby garden bed. 

My thoughts are now turning to the holidays. The Thanksgiving turkey is in the freezer. The menu is forming in my head. There will just be four of us.

I will have to drum up some enthusiasm for Christmas, but I still have plenty of time. November is not even half way done. 

We saw leaves go to glory,
Then almost migratory
Go part way down the lane,
And then to end the story
Get beaten down and pasted
In one wild day of rain.
From "November" by Robert Frost