November’s Moon

Here we are once more: the full moon!  In North America, the most common name for November’s moon is the Beaver Moon, in part because, for fur-trappers, November is an excellent time to lay traps for that animal, and in part because beavers are busy building winter dams this month.  (For those of you wondering: we’ve not seen our backyard beaver since our last encounter — the tree remains downed, and sadly unused.)

The last few days have reminded us why we call the fall The Fall: from above, a steady downward flutter of leaves, drifting, blanketing the lawn.  The locals agree: the autumn colors have been unusually beautiful this year — and autumn itself has been wondrously long.  Many bright, warm days.  Perfect for walking, and soaking up the sun’s rays.

As Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. Well, in my case, perhaps not all the daylight hours.  But at least an hour a day, Matt, the baby, and I are out in the autumn glow!

The weeks are flying by.  One month until the first day of winter, the winter solstice — which also happens to be December’s full moon.  A fun coincidence!  And just over a month until this baby arrives.  He or she is growing well — healthy and strong!  Big kicks this month, and lots of hiccups.  Above: a quick photo snapped late this afternoon (staring into the sun — explains the squint!).  The belly is big, and I love it!   All is well.

Happy autumn to you all!