November, already?

If you follow the blog you've seen this Book of Hours calendar page before-- it's one of my favorites. A peasant is throwing sticks into the trees to knock down nuts that pigs are gobbling on the ground. I like the quiet dog watching in the corner. This free treat of acorns and hickory nuts is called "mast." Pigs love eating forest mast, which supposedly makes the most delicious pork in the world-- a gourmet's delight. We won't be having pork roast for Thanksgiving, but maybe a ham dinner for Christmas. The holidays are just around the corner, and today the stores make a quick change from Halloween to Christmas.

November 1 is also All Saint's Day, a national holiday in some Catholic countries. Christians celebrate the day because they believe on this day the living can have a prayerful communion with those who have died. And tomorrow is All Souls' Day, or the Day of the Dead-- an important celebration in some Hispanic communities.

And speaking of Mexico, we wish Dan and Becky safe and uneventful travel this week to their winter home.

Bucerias Beach