I thought I'd write a novel?

So, looking at November I have to say, I really thought I'd write a novel this month? Crazy.

Thanksgiving was great, the week before it booked solid, and today is Gerd's 40th birthday. Happy Birthday honey!

The month has moved along too fast to be bad. In fact, I've been pretty pleased about my workplace, and been getting happier about our house (until the furnace flooded and died) and overall more optimistic. We're even hosting a house party this weekend (I really must be crazy).

Yesterday I asked my students when winter really begins (hint, not just on the day marked by the solstice). Most said it begins when they get cold enough to put on a coat or that winter comes with the first snow. My own definition?

Seasons change when I start to feel miserable enough that I have to change something in my routine to become happy again. Like, turn up the heat, dig out the warm boots, pack away any dresses that are too tempting to keep wearing, dig out the ski gear, and stock up on soup.

So as far as I'm concerned, winter is here. I've just been so busy with life I forgot to notice.

Facebook

I had great plans for today. A full day off! And it's sunny outside!!!

And I'm on Facebook.

I have to wonder if Facebook is bad for people. I mean, here I am, still on the computer.

But I love Facebook too. Within the space of 30 minutes I found out that one of my friends I haven't spoken with in months is in Arizona, found out my favorite cousin-in-law is home too, sent a message to the seller's Realtor from our house purchase (we liked her more than our Realtor) about contractors in South Boston, and found suggestions for a bunch of high school "friends".

One of those friends was someone I remember well, but who I doubt really knew me at all. Heather M. She and her cousin (I think) Melissa M. were really about as different as two people with the same last name could be. Heather was quiet, a little plump, smart, but non-competitive (at least from a distance). We knew each other, but not very well. I was a bit of an outsider, not having grown up in the area myself.

Melissa was someone even my mother remembers. Cheerleader, possible saluditorian, honors student, popular, she had it all. I wasn't exactly jealous of Melissa, it's just that she was the all American sweetheart. Our high school had many of them. Indiana is full of all Americans. But I couldn't help, even in high school, comparing the two Ms. They had the exact same shade of hair color (brilliant blond).

When Facebook popped up Heather's name, I clicked on her profile and saw two small pictures. You know what, she's beautiful. Now, it could be a picture from a few years ago, but she looks young, happy, brilliant. She had over 100 friends, so I thought I'd see what high school students were on her list. Guess what, Melissa was one of them.

Now I'm not going to say Melissa isn't pretty. She still is. She's still thin, blond, and has a great smile. But I've got to say, Heather eclipsed her, at least over the internet. I'm sure they're both happy people, but it's really nice to see Heather as a happy adult. I always had the impression in high school that she hadn't really figured herself out yet.

Another "friend" of hers was Taylor. One of my high school crushes, who a few years ago I tried to friend. He didn't friend me back, and I can't really blame him. Of course he knew who I was, it was a small school after all, and I'm sure he'd be friendly to me if we saw each other somewhere, but we were hardly friends.

In fact, none of the people I've mentioned were really friends. They were people in the same community as mine. When I miss "them" I think I miss the time of that community. I guess during high school you're too busy enjoying, and alternately hating, being a teenager to recognize how unique high school is in life.

I have to wonder how many community members I have now. I've got people at church I know but don't really know well. I've got coworkers, but it's definitely different that being in school.

So is it good to catch up with these folk? Perhaps, in fleeting glances. I suppose if I still lived in Fishers I'd still be in the loop anyway. Facebook just provides me with a connection to all the healthy, and unhealthy memories of my past.

What is and is not going on...

Well, my nanowrimo didn't get off to a good start this year. Day 2 I ate lamb, which I usually can eat, except couldn't anymore. Instead of normal irritating but fleeting red meat reactions, I was pretty sick for 2 days. Then there was the grain pick up.

I now own 1/2 of my 1/2 share grain share. I've got wheat, spelt, rye, and corn, all of which I'm going to need to find glass containers for, and learn how to cook. Oh, and I need to buy a mill.

My garden is no longer alive since we've met our first frost, but I also haven't managed to pull up the plants yet. That would require figuring out where to put the outdoor compost, and I haven't an idea yet.

I've managed to make almond flour chocolate chip cookies, which are pretty good, but not as good as my moms. Seriously, my mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies, ask anyone. We have also now discovered that gluten free pizza crust is not equal to the regular stuff.

The crazy diet is still crazy, although I'm not sure what good it's doing. After reading about soy milk being, perhaps, not good for people we've now switched back to cow milk, but raw cow milk. We cheated over the weekend too and had a wonderful breakfast in the North End. I think caffeine may make me a smarter person.

Life just keeps on truckin by.

Please Vote!

It's November 2nd! Go vote!!!

(and if you live in Massachusetts go vote NO on 1, 2, and 3).