A few days out from Halloween and I’m looking at a row of shriveled and shrinking jack-o-lanterns that look somewhat like old men with missing teeth. In some ways, they are more frightening than ever. And I awoke this morning with “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” stuck in my head. You know the one by The Pretenders, with Chrissie Hynde singing it slow and smooth? Yeah, that one.

Somehow, it seems to happen this way every year, more or less. Halloween comes, time accelerates, and then there is this mad rush to the end of the year. I’m ok with that, I guess. And truth be told, I am ready for the holidays and Winter. Still, the transition seems so abrupt some years. But already I find myself reflecting on this year. All in all, it was good year. I was graced with so many blessings.

And this morning it's cold. There's ice on the bird bath. The sky fills silently with another glorious November sunrise. Suddenly I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. And also, a feeling I haven't felt in a while - contentment. Sometimes we just need to sit quietly to realize all is playing out as it should, including ourselves.

On a side note:

A bush outside the window has turned a remarkable red this fall. And the leaves just keep hanging on. Maybe it's a sign. It does seem to be a Christmas red. I think I will hang Christmas lights in the trees early this year :)