november

November Can End

Posted on by Josef Havelka

This month has been a challenging one- it sure will be nice when it ends.

The majority of us are wanting the Flooding to be over with. But with rain still coming down, this November has been rough for the last couple of weeks for many families. The last day is no different.

The media is utilizing phrases to instill a bit of panic though. Prior to this year, I had never heard the term “Atmospheric River” and quite frankly had to look up the definition. Any other year and the media would call this type of weather a “Pineapple Express”. That doesn’t sound as ominous.

Either way, heavy rain is here but hopefully not much longer. Let’s get December started and end the year with some positivity.

Rain In Vancouver? Preposterous!

Posted on by Josef Havelka

I love living in the Lower Mainland on the outskirts of Vancouver. There is plenty to see and do. Lakes, nature trails, mountains, shopping, restaurants, and plenty of local activities that go on. On a nice day, Vancouver, the outlying cities and towns, are green and lush almost all year round. But it rains. Especially in November. You know- just like the Guns ‘N Roses song…

Everybody needs some time on their own.

And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain

I know that you can love me

When there’s no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

We still can find a way

‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever

Even cold November rain

One day it will end, but today feels like the day it begins. This week is a 100% chance of rain. Today sunrise occurred at 7:21. I woke up and it was already a deluge of water falling. Large blobs, not drizzle like the weather app states. Big, heavy, rainfall. No sun. Just grey skies dumping water.

So I’m going to stay indoors for the day. I’m also going to put on the fire, finish my artwork from yesterday (read about it Here: Up-Cycled), read a book, and take a nap. Those activities make me happy in the rain.

What do you do on a rainy day?

Where is November 31st?

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Holy smokes it’s the end of the month already.  Eleven months are behind us.  This is the last month of 2016 people!  There is no November 31st!  No extra day that you think you may have missed!  This is the real deal, like it or not.


I just want one more day this month.  I’m not ready for December.  December is going to be a busy month.  Plans with friends and family will fill every possible free moment.  The rush of hurrying from one place to the next as panic takes hold that there isn’t enough time to do it all.  At least there’s a month left to try and fit it in.

Only it’s not really a month.  It’s a little over three weeks, followed by one week, followed by a new year.  That’s the reality of it.  So get ready for the hustle and bustle in the stores and in the streets.  Get ready for the final two weeks of the year to be filled with children and sugar rushes.  Caffeine and late nights.  A burn out to end the year and hefty goals to start next year.

We all do it.  We all feel it.  We are all in it together.  May your December be safe and warm.  And remember- Eggnog goes really well with cinnamon whiskey (aka Fireball).  


Firenog.  The best way to make it through the season!

Cold November Rain

Posted on by Josef Havelka

It’s the beginning of a new month.  November.  An opportunity to start a new challenge in one’s life before the year draws to an end.  November is that last push before Christmas is upon us.  Another chance to make good on all of those promises we made to ourselves throughout the year.


This year I am going to do something I’ve thought about for years.  I’m going to try and write a novel in a month.  The NaNoWriMo challenge is for the entire month.  Write a few (thousand) words/day and “poof” a magical novel is created.  I am 100% sure that the majority of work is not worthy of anyone’s reading, but it gets those juices flowing.  Besides signing up for the challenge, where does one start?  “Once upon a time…”

I also use this month as a time to “Purge”.   It will be a great way for me to avoid writing.  Honestly.  I’m not going to lie about that, if the writing gets tough, I will distract myself by going through our old clothes- sweaters and hoodies come out of hibernation.  Some may not fit, maybe the style isn’t how we want to portray ourselves, or maybe we’ve outgrown its usefulness.  Or old toys and games.  Time to donate things we never use.

As well there is the yard.  Leaves have been falling, and a garden needs major pruning.  Today, we had a pretty significant rain fall.  It made me realize that the downspouts and roof need a good cleaning.  Yay!  More distractions from completing my writing challenge!

Ah, November.  A time to get lost in thought.  Everybody needs some time on their own.

And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain

I know that you can love me

When there’s no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

We still can find a way

‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever

Even cold November rain


Dammit G’N’R.  You always sneak up and get stuck in my head at the worst moments.