Mountain Living - November 2015
November - the "coziest month!"
If you are like me, you eagerly await the delivery each month of Our State magazine, a publication devoted to celebrating the people and places that make North Carolina such a special place to live. In the November issue, contributing editor Susan Stafford Kelly has an essay on the month of November and what she calls the “coziest month.” Ms. Kelly writes: “November. No-Vemm-Brrr. The word itself is cozy, mellow, and contained. This is the month for putting away and preparing. For closing down and burrowing in. Here, in North Carolina’s distinct seasons, October teases, urging us to cling to warmer weather even as it wrenches the season away. November, though says It’s OK to let go. I’m here. Let’s settle in .” In the same issue, columnist T. Edward Nickens writes: “It (November) slips up on us when we’re not looking, when we haven’t yet fully embraced the cold reality of oncoming winter.” Here, in the mountains of western North Carolina, truer words were never written. Remember, just last month we were still romping around in shorts, setting out pansies for the fall, cutting the grass, and preparing for Trick-or-Treat visitors. How the weather can change in such a brief period of time. We have already had our first frost, sweeting the collards and a warning sign that winter is near. The first few days of November have been wet and dreary ones and brought us up to nearly our average annual rainfall level. The trees reflect the brilliant colors of fall and call us to a drive along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. It is both a very magical time to be in the mountains and a harbinger of what is to come.
Last month Junaluska Highlands Community Association held its annual membership meeting. We had over 40 property owners and homeowners in attendance, representing one of the best attended meetings in my memory. Much information was exchanged and important decisions were reached by our membership that will direct the future of our community. After the meeting, a social was given at the beautiful home of Kathy and Sam Bell and a good time was had by all. Minutes of the annual meeting will not be posted to the web site as has been done in the past but will be e-mailed to all members by our Secretary when completed. If you did not attend this gathering, please try to attend next year’s annual meeting, which usually coincides with the Haywood County Apple Festival.
Finally, November is one of my favorite months of the year in that Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for family and friends to gather together to offer thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, not the least of which is the absolute privilege of living in this special part of His creation we call Junaluska Highlands. Cherish and enjoy the time you have with your family during this holiday time.
That’s all for now….
Mac
