"Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year;
to the honest man it comes as frequently
as the heart of gratitude will allow."
Edward Sandford Martin (1856-1939)

Mid-Atlantic Weather Watch: Fair, colder (1, 2, 3) with lake-effect snow (4.5); fair and cold (6, 7, 8, 9) with snow in the northern part of the region, rain in the south 10, 11, 12, 13). Fair and rather cold (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) with more snow in the north and rain in the south ( 21, 22, 23, 24, 25). Lake-effect snow (26, 27, 28, 29) with yet more snow (30).

Full Moon: November’s Full Moon will occur on Tuesday, November 12th. It has been called by many Native American tribes both Falling Leaf Moon and Dying Grass Moon because the colder days and heavy frosts during the month , trees have lost almost all of their leaves and most of the grasses have all died off. And because of the high winds sweeping through many regions this time of year, many other tribes have called it Big Wind Moon.

Special Notes: Remember to ‘fall back’ on Sunday, November 3rd at 2AM when Daylight Savings ends. Though not officially recognized as a holiday, Saturday, November 10th is the great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King’s actual birthday.

Holidays: Elections are traditionally held on the first Tuesday of November. This year, they will be held on Tuesday, November 5th. Monday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day when we remember our military service branches and those have served and who continue to protect us today. We must never, ever forget the sacrifice that millions of servicemen and women make every day, many in harm’s way right now. Celebrate Thanksgiving this year on Thursday, November 28th d with family and friends. There is so much for us all to be thankful for and we should carry that thankfulness beyond the holiday season.

The Garden: Keep all of your plants well-watered going into late fall and winter. Pay particular attention to any plants or shrubs recently planted. Plants that face winter dryness are prone to damage and dieback during the cooler months. Drain all of your hoses and put them away so they don't freeze and burst. Feed the birds in a fun, unique way by making a pinecone bird feeder. Just roll a large pinecone in peanut butter and birdseed. Hang the finished ‘ornament’ with rustic twine or ribbon in shrubs or on tree limbs close to windows for easy observation. Remember that once you start feeding them, don’t stop until natural food becomes available for them again next spring. Providing a source of fresh water is always desirable for our feathered friends, too!

The Farm: Best for planting root crops (11, 12, 22, 23); weeding and stirring the soil (18, 19); planting above-ground crops (6, 7); harvesting all crops (, 8, 9, 10); the best days for setting hens and incubators (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20); the slaughtering and butchering of meat (1, 2, 3, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30); transplanting (1, 2, 3, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30); the weaning of all small animals and livestock (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30); harvesting and storing grains (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25).