Stick season, taking stock, and how the light has changed

It's been a very odd week, for many reasons, most of which I don't really need to give digital space to. Suffice it to say, I'm looking forward to a domestic weekend. The light has changed, too; inky smudges of cloud and half-light at 7:10 am, instead of glorious blue. Barren trees, streetlights, headlights, shapes of early risers walking dogs, kids with backpacks trudging by the windows. 

I'll miss even this half-light when I put up the winter curtains-- I plan to do that on the long weekend next week. It's tedious and necessary, and it changes the light in the house, too. Everything is shadow, and I have to push back against it with electric lamps and overhead lights instead of daylight. I'll leave a few windows unencumbered, but for the most part, the mushroom grey curtains will block the cold and the outside world equally well until next spring. 

This is the time of year we in the north country call "stick season"-- yes, it's later fall, and yes, it's hunting season, but I think the moniker fits well. The plethora of small sticks, brush, and now-frozen plants need to be piled up and set aside to make room for snow and slush. I'm not one to rake the leaves, though; environmentally, that's not a good idea anyhow, and they make a pretty tapestry on the frosted grass. I am itching to put up a bird feeder so I can have some small company while I'm at my desk, but the bears have not yet gone to bed, and no one needs to bait in a bruin who is bent on stuffing himself with seeds.

This is the time of year I feel most home-bodyish. I have put some vegetables in the small freezer, and last night I took stock of what proteins I have in the bigger freezer-- turkeys and hams, and other smaller, one-meal things. I don't can food, but I don't mind making sure we have enough to eat at hand. I need to get some groceries later today, so this inventory helps me plan my shopping: what is on sale versus what I think we'll need. I don't store "convenience foods"-- there are no frozen pizzas or other boxed meals. In fact, I ought to get a few emergency foods into the freezer, maybe some ravioli or some such. I prefer to cook from scratch, but some nights, it's a race to get things done.

So, taking stock. Making lists. Putting the house and my mental house in order. November is merely winter's calling card, and I suppose I ought to let her in. 

Have a good day,

C