Dear BDC Family and Friends,

November signals an inner quieting for me. Now a distant memory, summer's busyness has slowed. The husstle-busssle of establishing early Fall's new routines has quieted to a steady beat. Each year, late Fall's metronome of dropping leaves in New England brings a particular SERENITY to my life.

When I was a young teacher, having just graduated from college, Fall was once my least favorite of the four seasons. One particular November, I shared this sentiment with a wise colleague twenty years my senior. She countered my offering by sharing with me that Fall was her favorite season because it signaled to her a time of quieting. She further explained how much she liked the days growing shorter because this meant that she was required to do less outside in the gardens and was expected to accomplish fewer chores around the house. In the hush of Fall, she could go home at dusk after school and snuggle into her cozy slippers while making a pot of tea and reading before dinner. My mentor loved Fall because it brought her back home to herself.

As the days grow shorter and the wind blows cool upon your cheeks, I am sending November's SERENITY to you as well as...

CHGS+P!