Ready or not, here’s November! I don’t know about you but I have been completely caught off guard with how quickly this year has gone by. Not only that, but I’m having trouble remembering what I did with it. Can anybody relate? Anyone? No? Just me? Maybe I’m just getting older…. nah.

First Halloween and then November kicks off the holiday season once again. Each year it seems that it gets harder and harder for me to find my holiday spirit. This year was no different; November rolled around and everyone started talking about the holidays and I found myself wondering why they’re all bringing it up already. The little old man wearing black knee socks in me felt like wagging my finger at them and telling them to just slow down. I suppose there are a lot of reasons that I don’t have an automatic holiday switch that flips on when the temperature drops a bit every year. First of all, I live 700 miles away from my family. That’s a big reason… being on my own day in and day out kind of zaps any sort of warm and fuzzy holiday spirit. Because I live alone, I don’t really decorate much. I don’t cook huge family holiday meals for anyone. I don’t go out shopping for ornaments and holiday decor or yard inflatables or fall tablecloths and plate chargers. My dog doesn’t really seem to appreciate any of that stuff so I tend to keep the holidays low key at my place.

Second, I live in Florida. Nothing is turning orange and red except for downtown Jacksonville during Florida-Georgia week every year in late October when the Gators and the Bulldogs descend upon the city for the annual football rivalry festivities. With the exception of this weekend’s noreaster coming through and bringing chilly wet weather, it’s normally still in the mid 70’s here in November. It’s hard to think turkey and ho-ho when you’re wearing shorts and soccer slides to walk the dog. I guess I totally miss having fall… the cool temperatures and big sweatshirts, the turning leaves, and big pots of warm soup. One thing I will never miss though, is driving in snow and ice. West Virginia and all you other states up there can have that. Seriously.

This fall, and this November particularly, I have a real reason to celebrate though. It was one year ago in the midst of the pandemic that my little grandson came to be with us. In November 2020 Brodee was born, and I have been starry-eyed and in love ever since. Like every grandparent, I know that my grandson is the cutest, the sweetest, the smartest, and the funniest little being that ever graced the planet. Incredibly, an entire year of his growing and learning and being here with us has passed. His first birthday is around the corner and THAT is something that I can get excited about. I’m preparing to head north for a visit in time for his birthday, and I spent the day doing some shopping. I had treats and gifts to buy for everyone as I’m bringing home some Christmas gifts when I head up to save me from shipping them. Our family also has several fall and winter birthdays so there’s always a list of things I need to pick up this time of year. Most importantly though, I had to choose a few first birthday gifts from Busia to my Brodee.

Maybe it was the excitement of Brodee’s one year anniversary of being with us, but today the holiday spirit hit me hard, right in the face. My first stop was a grocery store to pick up a prescription and I noticed holiday cakes and cookies out. It was Publix, and if you know Publix you know that anything from the Publix bakery is divine. Seeing holiday themed goodies out on display opened the door to a celebratory mood just a sliver. Then at my next stop, I suddenly realized as I was browsing that I heard Christmas carols playing over the speakers. For a split second I was annoyed, but then something else happened. The annoyance melted away and I caught myself smiling as I finished up at that store. Next stop, Trader Joe’s. Is there any place more fun than Trader Joe’s around Thanksgiving and Christmas? You never know what you’re going to find. Between the Chew-Cuterie meat and cheese flavored dog treats I picked up for my pup, the annual spiced ale, the limited time desserts, the advent calendars (even for your dog or cat), and this year’s green bean casserole bites, Everything But the Bagel Nuts, cranberry orange bars, and the Everything But the Leftovers seasoning (yes, I got all of them)… I left TJ’s in full holiday spirit. I went home to wrap up birthday gifts and get a few things organized to bring north with me. This Bu is ready to party with her grandkid.

Brodee, I don’t know how a whole year has gone by already. We’re both a year older, but it looks much better on you. You will have many, many more birthdays and even though is only the first, I can’t imagine what November was like before you came along. Kids have a way of reminding us how to be joyful and celebratory once again. Thank you to my daughter and her husband for making my wonderful grandson. And thank you Brodee, for opening the door to my heart once again and reminding me why we celebrate. Sto Lat!