The first snow has fallen at the beginning of October.  After about a foot of accumulation, the temperatures turn unseasonably warm.  Patches of snow in shady places leave the only clues that it's winter.

However, the relentless march to the shortest day of the year continues.  On November first, we break through the eight hour barrier.  By the end of the month, the sun comes up after 9 a.m. and snuggles below the horizon before 4 p.m.

"Mom, where's the camera?" asks my son at 6 a.m.

I struggle to open my eyes.  "What's going on?" I wonder.

"Mom, there's a moose in the greenhouse."

I jump out of bed.  Moose come into the yard all the time, but never has one wandered into the greenhouse.

"How did a moose get in the greenhouse?" I ask.

"Both doors are open," he explains.  "The moose is eating the dead plants in the hanging baskets."

"Don't use a flash until she's out of the greenhouse," I admonish.  If frightened, the mamma moose may kick out the glass panels.

"Okay," he promises and takes off with two cameras to take his photos.

The moose calf is outside the greenhouse.  If my son gets between the mamma and her baby, she will stomp him.  Quickly, I grab my robe and run into my son's room which overlooks the greenhouse.  The window is frozen shut.  By the time I pry open the lock, I see no animals inside.

When he comes back in I ask, "Did the flash scare them?"

"No, they just stood there looking at me!  They sure like cucumbers.  They ate the plants right down to the dirt."

What do I do in November?

• I stock up groceries for winter!  When it's 50 below, I'd rather be home snuggling in front of the fire place.
• Time to wax skiis and snowboards and gather old equipment for the ski swap.
• My husband checks the vehicles and makes sure the snowplow battery is fully charged.
• I care for my grandson while his parents take a holiday.

And before I know it, it's December!

One unexpected thing happened in November.  Two years ago, I found out that my mother has breast cancer.  She's still doing well.