Turing the page to November

Ghosts and goblins have been reigning in my neighborhood for the last two weeks.
Witches perched on the edge of window sills, spider webs stretched across the gates in front of brownstones and pumpkins galore. A few were carved into Jack-O-Lanterns before Halloween and many more just appeared last evening. One did have a sense of the neighborhood being haunted, walking up and down the blocks between the avenues. Children pull at their mother’s hand and point at the various figures, partly in fear and often in just pure awe.

Last night just at midnight the ghosts vanished and St. Hallow’s Eve came to an end. Until another year.

We have turned the calendar page to November today and most of us are now beginning to think about Thanksgiving and the holiday season. In just a few days the stores will begin serious decorating and it is probably only two weeks before Christmas trees go on sale. Lexington Avenue where I walk to the subway becomes Santa Land with trees lined up and down the sidewalk beginning the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. One day the trees, Christmas music, lights and decorations appear, and then everything disappears, just as magically, on Christmas Eve.

Although I’m not one to think about shopping early, this year I have already purchased a few gifts. Primarily because I spent Saturday, 21 October at the LRGH Auxiliary Fall Craft Fair at Laconia High School. There were booths and tables of creative crafts and so many people it was difficult to meet everyone and take the time to look at every display. Pilgrim figures created out of water bottles, scented candles and scented soaps. Knitted caps, mittens, creatures and dolls of all sizes and types and little aprons stitched from recycled jeans, edged with lace and colorful buttons, for the children. I especially loved the handmade wooden toys and the bowls carved from trees in New Hampshire and Vermont.

I stopped by the annual fall rummage sale at the Laconia Congregational Church before attending the craft fair. This was the final morning, so one could purchase a bag for two dollars or a box for five dollars. I decided on brown bag and filled it with items that can be used through the holiday season. Glass plates for Christmas cookies being delivered to friends and neighbors, a hand embroidered table cloth with an orange and brown floral design that will be used with Thanksgiving decorations. A few extra wine glasses, that are always useful for entertaining during the holidays and, of course, I can never resist books.

Sawyers Jewelry Store downtown already has stunning diamond jewelry on display and Melnick’s collection of warm winter boots and shoes is a reminder that the weather will soon be shifting.

Now, before all the concerts and holiday events begin, is the time to experiment with a new recipe for the Thanksgiving table. Take the last few opportunities to walk in the woods and collect berries and leaves for holiday trimmings. Design holiday cards and dust off the craft books. A gift that has been hand knit, stitched or crafted is very meaningful in our hardwired, high-tech world.