Time to Turn the Calendar

A chat over a beer with friends (or in my case sisters that are friends) is good medicine. I reffed two volleyball games last night,but then by 8:30 all the teens were there. This was welcome news to my feet as standing on the ladders gives me toe and foot cramps. I checked a few late e-mails and stuck around and watched my old team play their match and joined them for a stop afterwards. We went to a bar that used to have live music, open mike sort of set-up, but with some regulars that are quite good. I haven't been there in ages so not sure if this is no longer a thing, but there was no music last night. Too bad. I would have liked that.

I hadn't shared earlier that our oldest sister lost her special friend last weekend, not unexpected but still sudden when it happened. Since he has no family close, physically or emotionally, my sister is making all the arrangements for a small service and gathering for Saturday. We will help her with food. My oldest sister has had a hard life, abusive first husband, loser leeches that sponged off her, a brief second marriage that was not happy, though he passed away while they were separated. This friend was a good companion for her the last decade, though as his health declined, she carried a heavy load caring for him. None of the family knew him well as he did not attend family activities. I am sad for my sisters loss, but the stress she has carried hopefully will reduce and she can concentrate on herself and her health. At 68, I think she has earned that luxury. She is a tiny woman with a huge heart of gold but lonely after her kids grew up. Probably why she kept finding needy men that needed caring for. 

On this last day of November, I am trying to put my sites on turning the calendar and starting December fresh. I almost  wish for a big fluffy white snowfall to hide the gray of November. Still, taking pup out this morning, the unusual warmth of the morning, not a bit of frost, seeing the lights slowly coming through windows as the neighborhood wakes up was calming and reassuring. Even in the no color, melancholy dullness of the last month of autumn, there is  a tranquil beauty if I look for it.