You may not be paying any attention to us, since last month we called October the month “when the weather gets nice.” And then, just before the month started, along came Hurricane Helene, and many of our neighbors, especially to the west, are still digging out and trying to recover.
And yes, hurricane season lasts to the end of November. So be prepared, by all means. But, until the worst happens, let’s encourage ourselves by remembering that some pretty great stuff is coming up.
To begin with, October ended, as always, with one of the most fun holidays of the year. And consider that holiday originated as the mere eve of All Saints Day. Not that Nov. 1 is particularly known for fun, it’s a great time to fondly remember all those good people who have gone before us.
Then, of course, at the end of the month — on the 28th, to be precise — we have the greatest pure, out-and-out feast day of the year. And everyone loves Thanksgiving — unless you’re the one person at your house who has to cook it all. And frankly, we should all pitch in and share the burden to prevent that happening.
And if it does happen that one person handles the lion’s share, that one person most certainly deserves our thanks the whole year ’round.
To get down to the nitty-gritty…
To avoid irritating you further, we’re not going to mention the Romans this month at all. Except to mention, sotto voce, that it’s because of them that we call the month, somewhat confusingly, “November.” And if we want to ignore them entirely, Wikipedia offers alternatives: “November was referred to as Blōtmōnaþ by the Anglo-Saxons. Brumaire and Frimaire were the months on which November fell in the French Republican calendar.”
While you’re pondering what you’re going to cook for the feast, there are other things to be enjoyed earlier in the month. The day after All Saints Day is of course the very similar All Souls Day. And if you are of Mexican ancestry, you might lump those together as the Day of the Dead. Which can be more fun than it sounds.
Then you have:
- Election Day, which occurs on “the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November,” which this year means Nov. 5. Whether this is a day of celebration, of course, depends on how your candidates do. But remember that whatever happens, life goes on. We hope.
- Two days later, we have National Men Make Dinner Day. And no, that isn’t Thanksgiving, although it occurs on a Thursday. Still, fellas, it’s a time to get off your duffs and warm up to make yourselves of some use on the 28th.
- After that, there’s some other interesting stuff such as Sadie Hawkins Day and National Apple Cider Day and — excuse us for mentioning it — World Toilet Day.
But most of us are probably going to be resting up for the Eatathon, which features not only turkey and all the trimmings, but the Macy’s parade, some major pigskin events, napping, and then going to get in line to be first in the stores on Black Friday.
Which is a lot. So much to do. Let’s prepare ourselves…
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