LUCY KIPPIST’S NOVEMBER ALMANAC

Oh hello… thank god you’re here! I appear be stuck in a bog of depressing songs, poems and even films devoted to the month of November.

Take it from me, whatever else you do this month, just be grateful you’re an antipodean. Because every one of our artistic northern cousins, from Emily Bronte to Tom Waites, appear to have mourned the second last month of the year.

Let’s be clear about this, November might be the month to remember, but we don’t need to feel so glum about it. The next four weeks should be devoted to reflections of just how fast this year has gone, the people you’ve met, the great times you’ve had and the plans you’re making.

In Australia, November is all about the Melbourne Cup and facial hair.

Good thing the former falls so early in the month, given how much we drink in the name of a horse race and a garish collection of hats. Survival entails plastic cups of spumante and a packet of chips in a paper bowl, the remnants of which are still there three weeks later.

And learning to be OK with the fact the men in our life have all started to resemble the Australian cricket team, circa 1970…

To market, to market

In season in November are: blueberries, star fruit, red papaya, watermelon, oranges, peas, sweet corn, zucchini, silverbeet, chilli, spinach and sugar snap peas.

November’s Good Housekeeping is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their “Hints from Heloise” column. As is probably obvious by now, this magazine gets the prize for coming over completely OCD with regard to cleanliness and organisation, and as it turns out Heloise is the one we can thank for that!

Just for a treat the editors have included a PDF of the first “changing of the guard” column, written in November 1983 by Heloise’s daughter, who I am assume was also called Heloise. The hairstyle alone is worth a gander and for full effect, may I suggest that you read it to yourself in Heloise’s native Texan accent. Here’s my question: Just how does R. Cruchen manage to leave the house in the morning?

November’s flower is the Chrysanthemum.

Does anyone else think of these as a more sophisticated version of the Gerbera; basically an uninspiring flower that comes in a whole lot of great colours? Maybe that’s a bit harsh.

Apparently the Chrysanthemum originated in China where they were considered one of only four “noble plants” because of their longetivity-boosting properties.

They are a symbol of cheerfulness and optimism, two qualities we probably all need at this time of year.

In the meantime, here are ten things you can do to feel better right now.

Personally, I like the point about ‘fear’ – it’s such a tiring emotion, why do we invest so much time in it?

I recently attended a workshop on the art of “mindfulness” where we were told that by allowing ourselves to feel the full weight of whatever emotion was consuming our mind at the time, we actually release it.

Whatever you make of that, it can’t hurt to be reminded of it from time to time.