Last Day in November

(Last day of firearm deer season, too.) Where did it go? Where they all go, but it was a good month in northern Michigan, with mild temperatures and lots of sunny days that made life easier than it could otherwise have been and gave us lots of reasons to greet each other with “Beautiful Day!” “Gorgeous!” Now the temperatures have dropped, snow clouds are moving in, and there was a dusting of snow on house and barn roofs this morning.

Saturday’s warmer weather was easy on the village band as they gathered in front of the big tree on Nagonaba Street, and when the lights came on the tree, it was splendid! Everyone had a pretty stress-free walk or drive home after the open houses, too. Still, I think the first week in December, when we held these events in 2007 and 2008, worked better. More people go elsewhere for the Thanksgiving holiday than come to Northport for it, for one thing, and there’s also a post-holiday fatigue factor. (No, I refuse to discuss Friday!) December may be cold, a blizzard may arrive, but that’s part of the excitement, and most people are eager to brave the elements to make merry in the cold. And doesn’t Thanksgiving deserve to be kept separate? I love that it’s a national holiday, something all of us share. Post-holiday activity: shopping spree or relaxing with leftovers? What’s your opinion?

That said, I still have signed copies of Mardi Link’s and Barry Marsh’s books, along with Claudia Goudschaal’s, and these are first-come, first-serve. There are beautiful 2010 calendars at Dog Ears (Ken Scott & Thad Koza), and Jim Harrison’s brand-new book, The Farmer’s Daughter, has also arrived. And, of course, lots, lots more....