November begins with the time change, which, believe it or not, I looked forward to this year. You see, I have been getting to sleep around 1 o'clock, give or take. I would prefer to get off to dreamland an hour earlier, like I was doing a few months ago. In fact, the sandman dropped in to see me by 11:30 on many a night.
With the time change, 1 o'clock would be 12, and I thought that my preferred adaptation would thus ensue seamlessly.
Except that on that particular night, sleep eluded me until 2, which meant that it was 1 new time. I can verify this because I saw the flip with mine own bleary eyes as I stared anxiously at the darn clock. So now new time is the same as the old time. Blast it all.
November also begins with us emptying the flowerpots that were looking so good when I posted of them just last week. Despite still not being overcome by frost, they were beginning to show signs of losing their zest for life. Since the town's garden waste, autumn pickup begins today, we thought that we might as well pull the plants, bag them, and send them curbside.
Note: A peculiarity of our town is that they only pick up compostable garden waste for four weeks per year — two weeks in spring and two in autumn. And the autumn pickup starts today.
A third beginning to Cruel November is the bleakness which I bemoan with frequency. Most leaves are down, and with the skies looking grey these days . . . well look . . . ↓↓
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| Bleak House in a Bleak Month |
Our town picks up compostable waste all year round with recycling but one must buy special bags to put your yard waste in. Fortunately I have a big enough lawn that I just compost my own yard waste.
ReplyDeleteThe paper bags that we use here?
DeleteThe skies match nature in November.
ReplyDeleteI too am one of those people who like the time change. I like the earlier sunsets, at least for now. Come spring, I will be looking forward to the longer days!
ReplyDeleteOur trees are still mostly full of leaves, but the winds are getting stronger, the days are growing colder, so soon our trees will be bare.
ReplyDeleteI do love ❤️ this photo.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly has a mood, and I like that aspect.
DeleteThat photo just makes me sad. We are entering very bleak times, I fear.
ReplyDeleteI cases me to look forward to winter.
DeleteOh nooo! I have really bad insomnia so I understand about wanting to sleep. I think I'm sick so I went to bed pretty early last night and slept late this morning.
ReplyDeleteI think the bleak house is beautiful!
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Ash @ Essentially Ash
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I think that photo shot is actually beautiful. The fallen branches with its yellow/red leaves give it a great harmony.
ReplyDeleteI suffer from insomnia too. Do you have any tips?
Yep a lot of muted colors coming our way now. Hope your sleep improves one way or another. Im doing a happy dance cause the sun is unexpectedly shining!
ReplyDeleteIt's probably not kind to say this, but even Northern California was too bleak for me when we had to spend a few years there a while back. After so many years I am only adapted to living in Hawaii. In fact, I've heard from other seniors, that leaving Hawaii to live with family quotes back home often leads to a downturn in health. I definitely find it healthy or mentally and physically to live in the islands. Of course, my whole productive adult life and memories and friends are here too, so that means a lot. I'm wishing you the best. AC! May you have a cozy and healthy November with good sleep Aloha
ReplyDeleteOur garden waste isn't picked up over winter but I'm not sure when they stop. Possibly just jan and feb
ReplyDeleteI wish I live where Cloudia dose. I dislike this time of year and winter. I get up very early in the AM but it's by choice. I like the quiet of it. Hope you can get some sleep.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like winter has arrived. This morning we had a very heavy frost.
ReplyDelete...the best thing to do is just dress in bright, colorful clothes... people need color...
ReplyDeleteInteresting that your town has such a schedule, like there is no garden waste the rest of the year! But I don't think our trash service even offers any special times for that at all, although they do a few "bulky days" where they will pick up big stuff.
ReplyDeleteI like that picture! I dont mind November's more sedate dress. I find it restful.
Should add though, that we still have plenty of leaves and color.
DeleteThe town does have a proper disposal site that we can access during the better months, but these are the only times that they will pick up.
DeleteBleakness can have its own stark beauty. We still have yard waste pick up every other week and with leaves and some mowing, I usually have at least half a container full.
ReplyDeletei sometimes look for shapes and textures, but if things don’t smack me right in the face, I probably won’t see them.
DeleteIt is the darkness that gets to me too.
ReplyDeleteI like this time of year. It probably reflects my nature. I like Bleak House.
ReplyDeleteYour wry humor makes even November’s gray skies and sleepless nights feel companionable
ReplyDeleteBleak...or a well-deserved rest? I mean this for the trees and you.
ReplyDeleteThe yellow against the grey makes a great picture!
ReplyDeleteWell, the light is certainly less but November is still a good month most days.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, nice for the earth to have a chance to hunker down. Pulling plants and putting them in compost is something I should do, but I always hope they will survive another year. In California, they often do, but they never look as good as they would if I knew what I were doing.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry about your sleep, that is the WORST.