It’s so Novembery

November. Just the word gives me the warm fuzzies.

It makes me think of early sunsets, harvested fields, chainsaws buzzing in the distance, the smell of wood burning in a fireplace, snuggling up in a cozy quilt on a weekend watching old movies and the promise of impending snow. Yes, I’m one of the few who enjoys a good snow. Of course, these are the exact same things I despise about March.

I’ve always been a fan of this particular month. There’s just something so peaceful about November — political rhetoric aside.

And speaking of politics ...

For our newsroom, Election Day (and night) is a Tuesday which has been strategized for weeks in advance — everything from assigning reporters to particular races to adjusting printing schedules. It’s a given the office will be lit until the wee hours of Wednesday morning as the staff strives to “put the paper to bed” long before we are able to do the same for ourselves. Fortunately, we don’t have to come into the office until later in the day Wednesday.

By the time I made it home from work in the early hours of Wednesday morning, my household’s inhabitants were all sleeping soundly and had been for what I presume was at least five hours.

I treated myself to a nice, hot soaking bath for a while before heading to bed which left a couple of hours before my roommates would be rising for the day.

Although Mick was kind enough to start his morning routine quietly so I could sleep in, I guess my three fur-girls didn’t feel the need to employ the same discretion.

As soon as Mick walked out the door at 5:15 a.m., my 6-month-old golden retriever pup, Willow, pounced on the bed and laid her head on mine ... just breathing on me ... quietly, patiently breathing on me. (That’s always her first attempt to get my attention and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s absolutely adorable!)

It didn’t take her long to realize it wasn’t going to work. Before long, she started lightly licking my face and nibbling on my ear, which always gets my attention since I’m concerned she’ll nibble my earrings right out of my ear.

So anyway ...

At 5:30 a.m., just a few short hours after getting into bed, I started my day by letting the girls outside, pouring myself a cup of coffee, filling the food dishes for my canine kids and standing my ground as I held the door open for them as they raced back inside for their breakfast.

I sat in my recliner to watch the morning news and indulge in my cup of joe, and figured I could probably just nap in front of the television for a while since I had no place to be for another five or six hours. After all, I certainly don’t have a problem dozing off in the same chair in the evenings. But the girls had other plans.

We played with squeaky toys. We played catch. We did some snuggling and cuddling, and eventually, they were ready for their own naps.

Of course, by then I was wide awake with no hope of taking advantage of my morning off, so ... to work I went. I don’t know who I thought I was kidding thinking I’d be able to sleep in.

But that’s the nice thing about November. With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, there will be a couple more opportunities for me to sleep in.

Like that’s going to happen.

Contact Dana King at 641-792-3121 ext. 6522 or dking@shawmedia.com