I’m so glad that November has arrived. That’s not something I would normally say. I’m a summer girl, and I also love early fall, but when the skies get really grey and the days are so short, that’s not necessarily when I’m in my element.

But it is this year.

August was busy, as it usually is – perhaps even more so, since we were traveling. But I didn’t get a chance to catch my breath afterwards.

September was all for Jenn, and I don’t regret a moment of it. I’m so thankful that her passing was as peaceful as it was, and that she had such a loving community around her. I’m honored that I was part of it.

October was for everyone else. I helped with several events commemorating Jenn, times for her loved ones to celebrate her life and mourn her passing. My aunt, my brother and I planned and implemented a surprise party for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, and it was an unqualified success. Then there were the final weeks of Dryst’s soccer season, and there was a lot more, though it’s a blur now.

November is for me. A younger version of me would have felt guilty even typing that, but I don’t. It feels wonderful.

I’m doing National Novel-Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) for the first time. BlackLion and I are partnering on an awesome book called The Door Is the Key: A Modern Faerie Tale. I’m thrilled about it!

Yesterday we were working on our outline of scenes – ’cause we’re last-minute like that – and ElvenTiger and Quester were throwing in ideas as we brainstormed how to get the characters from point to point along the storyline. It was such a blast! I was headed out the door right after that, and as I went upstairs to get ready, I said “Creativity is my favorite thing. I haven’t had that much fun in a while!”

I got in the car and went to adjust the seat. The little motor on my driver’s seat has been broken for a several months, and so I have to kind of stretch to reach the pedals. When I had some work done on the car, I declined having them replace the seat because the replacement wouldn’t have been heated. What? It’s important! Anyway, when I did the adjustment (the seat would still go up and down, so I can see a bit better when I boost it vertically), the seat slid forward with ease!

Leaping out of the car excitedly, I ran back in to tell the guys, “Something magickal just happened!” And that’s when I realized it was a sign. No, I really hadn’t had that much fun in a while, and yes, I need to be doing things that light up my soul! Whether it was Jenn’s spirit, one of my guides, or the fey I’m writing about, someone made the motor work again, bumping me out of my ordinary level of awareness. Thank you! I’m listening!

Last night was Samhain, and although I was busy in the evening, I took some time out when I got home to do a bit of magick around the fire that ElvenTiger had built. I released some old energies I no longer need, and communed with Jenn’s spirit. It was mellow and quiet, and just perfect.

Our Samhain fire.

Today was the first day of actual writing on the book, and I cruised through my first 2,000 words (2,103 to be exact) with ease and joy, after awakening my body with 30 minutes of yoga. I puttered around doing some housework, visited with my family next door, and stayed in my Hello Kitty pajamas most of the day.

November is my month. I choose ease, joy, creativity, spirituality, rest, movement, and healing. So be it!