Weather-wise, September and October were sublime. November was meh.

From my back door, I could see that the end was near. Both of the striped umbrellas on my patio had tipped over from the wind. Thanks to the cold, my summer marigolds, impatiens and petunias were pushing up daisies.

And the rest of my beautiful warm-weather entertaining area was blanketed in autumn leaves.

I bought a box of extra-large storage bags for all the outdoor cushions and pillows that I planned to move to the garage. My colorful outdoor rugs would have to move indoors, too. I also had to stack the deck chairs, empty and wash the flower boxes, and …

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Yes, I was sad, with more than a touch of SAD — seasonal affective disorder —

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