It's about this time of year I start anticipating the holidays. Turkey and stuffing. Warm sweaters and hot cocoa. Christmas carols and Hallmark movies. Candy canes and snowmen. You know how it is.
But Thanksgiving and Christmas are still weeks away, and October is in all its vibrant glory here in northern Ohio. Rather than breaking out my Christmas music or planning the side dishes I'm making for Thanksgiving, I take the time to embrace October.
The summer grass and flowers are dying. Leaves tumble to the ground--slowly on a mild day, quickly on a rainy one. Every car ride reveals orange, maize, and rust-colored trees intermingled with the evergreens. The colors typically last about two weeks--give or take--around here, and it's oh-too-easy to miss them.
I usually listen to classic jazz in the fall. Nina Simone, Miles Davis and Bill Evans get me into a mellow frame of mind. I need the downtime, the lull before the end of the year hustle bustle.
As much as I want to watch all my favorite Christmas movies, I refrain. Click through television channels and you'll see football, new episodes of favorite shows, more football, scary movies, and, yep, more football. I watch it all! Except for the scary movies. I get scared easily!
October always passes quickly. Before I know it, I'm moaning about all the Halloween candy I ate and turning a new page on my calendar. November arrives. And I'm ready to break out those Christmas CDs, search for side dish recipes to serve on Thanksgiving, and to watch movie after movie on the Hallmark channel.
By pacing myself and embracing October, experiencing all the joys of the holidays is that much sweeter.
What do you love about October?
Are you on Facebook? Join the Love Inspired Authors and Readers group. I'm "taking over" the group Monday through Wednesday this week and would love to have you join us. I'll be giving away books, too! Mary Alford will be the hostess from Wednesday at noon until Friday!
I have a new book out! Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets is in stores now! Here's a little about the book.
A nanny at
Christmastime…
Will
she find love in this Wyoming Cowboys novel?
Six weeks on a ranch
caring for quadruplets—aspiring nurse Ainsley Draper’s prepared for a busy
Christmas. When the children’s handsome uncle opens the door, her task gets
extra complicated. Marshall Graham is upholding his promise to look after his
twin sister, the babies’ mom. But as family loyalty clashes with new love, will
the perfect present include a future with Ainsley?
Purchase Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets HERE!
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Jill Kemerer is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels. Her essentials include coffee, fluffy animals, a stack of books and taking long nature walks. Jill resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. She loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.
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