1. A sense of feeling uplifted, relieved, for the first time in years
2. Getting a good start on holiday ingredients
3. Mild mellow lunch at the pond
4. Turning the lamps on at dusk and feeling cozy for the evening

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1. Out to breakfast to John's - old school diner vibes
2. The November calendar pages are moody and quiet
3. Chocolate hummus
4. The golden full moon
5. Time is passing so quickly, not sure if that's a good thing though

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1.  I get up so early that the time change doesn't do much for my mornings -- still pitch black when I rise -- but definitely darker and moodier in the evening!
2.  The boys had a nice mellow afternoon, inflato turkeys set up 
3.  Making good progress with using up all the odds and ends in the freezer before we begin the holiday food avalanche
4.  Churros were a big success

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1.  Anisette in stock!
2.  Pheasant feathers
3.  Gingersnaps
4.  Benny & Joon

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1.  Got our flu shots today
2.  Ripe persimmons
3.  Good wine
4.  Darkness

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Hope

Lessons I've been trying to learn and embrace during this abominable era in our nation's history:

1.  Have patience and faith in our society's institutions: depend on democracy, the rule of law, the Constitution.

2.  Have compassion for those who feel the need to act with hatred and ugliness.  Try to understand why they need to conduct themselves that way, and try to perhaps see how I might be instrumental in helping them experience a different version of their lives.

3.  Understand who my friends and allies are.  Be forgiving.  Share love and kindness.  Be humble and generous.

4.  Dig deep and know my own heart and soul … discover what I believe and why; what I might be willing to consider for compromise, and where I need to draw my line and say no.  Maintain personal sense of honor and self-respect.

5.  Paz y amor

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1.  Light for my morning walk!!
2.  Lots of holiday foods at the market this week
3.  Chicken cacciatore simmering on the stove

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The old one gave out after several years of constant use

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youtube video of Butler Peak

 

Butler Peak Fire Lookout Tower is right above us at the end of the lake, keeping us safe

 

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1. Freshly-aired pillows and crisply-ironed pillowcases
2. The grandkids across the road playing on Grandma's swingset ... happy voices :)
3. Bright clear moonlight