“And the fodder’s in the shock,” a nostalgic poem by James Whitcomb Riley I had to memorize in the fifth grade, and one which I can still recite from memory. From the onset, as a former Ohioan, I’m not a fan of November for several reasons:

First: I absolutely detest pumpkin anything from pie to cookies to lattes! And now Kit Kat bars have been infested with the deadly, smelling orange.

Secondly: Thanksgiving food includes not only pumpkin, but such undesirable food as bitter cranberries and candied yams. OMG! Who in their right mind would “candy” potatoes with marshmallows? Marshmallows belong solely on graham crackers and Hershey bars–duh!

Thirdly: The Presidents of the United States for years have been absolutely correct–pardon the turkey. I can barely swallow its leg meat and am left with copious amounts of dry, tasteless white meat that even gravy can’t help.

Yet, in all fairness to November, it does have some positives. I begin to decorate for Christmas, shop the Black Friday Sales, and schedule holiday gatherings. But the BEST thing about November 2024 is: the election will be over…perhaps and hopefully, peacefully. And yes, I’ll probably lose my right to vote, to have an abortion or IVF, and be forced to provide childcare for my grandchild. So be it. I’ve already lost a number of friends over this election. What will be will be.