Then & Now: November is a month for taking stock in Limerick
NOVEMBER is the eleventh month in our calendar, but it was the ninth month for the Romans, because their New Year began in March. Originally it consisted of 29 days, but when Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 BC, it was given an extra day. The Anglo Saxons named it Windmonath (wind month) or Blodmonath (blood month) because it was a favourite time for slaughtering cattle for the winter. The poet Thomas Hood wrote the following about the month:
No sun-no moon, no morn-no noon
No dawn –no dusk, -no proper time of day
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease
No comfortable feel in any member
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds, -November.
November is one of the darkest and dreariest of months, and the majority of people wish it to pass away quickly. The best of the year has passed and the build up to the Christmas season is just around the corner. It is a time for remembering those who have gone before us, and November is associated with our dearly departed who are remembered throughout the month. Holy Souls and cemetery Masses are held throughout the country and rosaries, and prayers recited for people’s intentions.
This time of year reminds me of retirement, and a slowing down period to help us to recharge the batteries. It commences for me when the final leaves begin to fall.
This is recalled in a song sung by Ann Marie O’ Riordan from Rathcoole in north Cork. There are a number of similarities between retirement and this time of the year. Retirement is a big step down from working to a more leisure way of life, while this time of the year, is a slowing down of our actions, in accordance with the loss of light. A time to hibernate like some of our animals, over the dormant season.
Active Retirement groups have sprung up around the country in recent years, as people have taken early retirement packages from their place of work. The packages were very attractive with additional pension benefits on offer. It was all so different in the past when people had to work up to the retirement age. The shock of retirement and having too much free time to fill, and not enough leisure activities, often led to premature deaths. People are now taking advantage of longer and more event filled retirements.
Nowadays people can enjoy a very active retirement and enjoy life to the full while they are in good physical health. There are many reasons for this: better health care, diet, lifestyle, and working conditions. People are living much longer at present, and are more active in their later life, so it is wonderful that there are many Active Retirement groups, around the country to provide activities for them to participate in. It is most essential for mind and body to keep active in later life. Covid put a damper on events but hopefully it is behind us, and we can all move on with our activities.
When Saint Brigid’s Day comes around new life will commence again, and people can come out of hibernation to resume their busy lives. The circle of life continues but taking a little time out and reducing the pace of life, for a while similar to nature can be most beneficial to all.
November is the month that most burglaries are committed. The two-fold reasons are the drawing in of the evenings, providing more cover, and the money demands of the upcoming Christmas. I am reminded of the importance of light by the following story. Mrs Grey always left the hall light on despite her husband being a bit of a stickler about not wasting electricity.’’ I leave it on deliberately ‘’she informed him, ‘’since old Mrs Brown across the road happened to mention that she always looks across on a dark winter evening, wondering if we are at home. If she sees a light in our house, it makes her feel so much more at ease, safe and comfortable. So now I am going to leave a light on, whenever we’re at home just to let her know, we are here.’’ We should all be more aware of our safety at home, or on the roads at this time of the year. This year our road deaths are up by 19 on last year.
November is a month for taking stock and also for preparing for the winter season. One of the main concerns in past times, was to have the potatoes dug and pitted before the eleventh day of the month. It was thought that the frost could damage the potatoes after this date. The pit of potatoes was made in the garden and covered with plenty dry hay and rushes. A final covering of clay was applied to make them rodent, and weatherproof. The pit was opened only when needed and there they stayed until they were all used up.
The killing of the pig was a regular occurrence in November, to have a good supply of meat over the Christmas. Many householders killed the animals, and when the meat had been well washed liberal quantities of salt was applied. After this it was stored in boxes, although sometimes it was sliced into ‘’flitches’’ and hung from hooks, on the ceilings, for a number of weeks.
Puddings were made from the pig’s blood and these and other lean slices of pork steak were distributed among the neighbours. They reciprocated when their turn came to kill their own pig, and the lovely custom died out when this era ceased.
November is a month when we remember our deceased family members neighbours and friends the most. Many will visit graves to lay flowers, to mark their passing, and leave a light on which with the flowers will brighten up the November cemeteries. A time to remember and have no regrets,
A Little Kindness lines come to mind as follows:
It isn't the things you do, dear,
It's the things you leave undone
Which give you a bit of a headache
At the setting of the sun
The tender word forgotten
The letter you did not write
The flowers you might have sent, dear,
Are you haunting ghosts tonight,
The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother's way
The bit of heart some counsel
You were far too rushed to say
These little acts of kindness
So easily out of mind
These chances to be angels
Which even mortals find.
A character I once knew was never over blessed with the world's goods, but she nevertheless spread around her own brand of riches. " I always thank the lord" she would say, " for the things I haven't got! A smoking chimney, a leaky roof, rheumatic joints and troublesome neighbours. Food for thought and to be happy and content with our lot, for so many people are facing challenging times at this time of year.