November 23, 2023

Today is Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.  It marks the 57th Thanksgiving that my wife, Sandi,  and I have been together.  

It is also noteworthy for two other sad reasons.  First it was 60 years ago yesterday that President Kennedy was assassinated.  On that day I was working at my desk at the Bridgeport Brass Co.  Arlene, our secretary, came in with tears streaming down her face announcing the news.

Finally it has been 49 years ago today that Sandi's brother Ricky was killed in a hunting accident surrounded by mysterious circumstances.  No one came forward to admit it and nothing more was ever found out about it. 

Good bye for now.

I was just sitting here looking over my calendar on my computer and I discovered that the first two weeks of November have been marked by:

Three visits to a vascular surgeon

Two visits to a blood lab

A visit to an eye doctor

A visit to my primary care MD

A visit to an infusion center

A visit to my kidney doctor

That's a total of nine medically related appointments in 14 days. On top of that I'm on so many medications I have to keep a paper listing them in my wallet so every time I'm asked what meds I'm on I pull it out and read from it. 

 It's not that I'm critically sick or falling apart. It's just that I need to stay on top of things or I will be falling apart.  Such is life at 80 years old.  

Of course, I'm not alone in this constant battle to stay somewhat fit.  Many of my friends are fighting the same fight. And the fact is I will never be totally free of some sort of medical issue.  That's just the way it is. 

So what should a person do to deal with this?  Simple. Just keep going.   What else can you do?   The alternative is not very pleasant so it all goes down to my life motto: keep calm and carry on. And to anyone else who is dealing with the same issues, I would give you the same advice. 

Hello, November

 About November

 Holidays

Veterans Day
World Diabetes Day
Thanksgiving
American Indian Heritage Month
Good Nutrition Month
Aviation Month
American Diabetes Awareness Month
National Stamp Collecting Month
National Peanut Butter Lover's Month

Symbols of November

• Birthstone: Topaz and citrine
• Flower: Chrysanthemum
• Zodiac signs: Scorpio and Sagittarius

History:

In the original Roman calendar, November was the ninth month of the year. It got its name from the Latin word "novem" which means nine. However, it became the eleventh month when the Romans added in January and February to the start of the year.

Throughout much of history, November has often been thought of as a somber month because it signaled the start of winter. People would spend the month storing up their harvest and preparing their food and homes in order to survive the winter.

 

Interesting Facts about November

• It is the last month of the Fall season.
• November in the Northern Hemisphere is similar to May in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Elections are held in the United States on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
• The third Thursday of November is the Great American Smokeout. Smokers are encouraged by the American Cancer Society to stop smoking on this day.
• Some Christian churches celebrate All Saint's Day on the first day of November and All Souls Day on the 2nd.
• American football is the main sport watched in the United States during this month.
• Most, if not all, of the leaves have fallen off the trees by the end of November.
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