E.O.M.

That’s it for November, folks. End Of Month, as the accountants say. “Novem,” the Latin word for “nine,” as this was the ninth month in the Olde Days, but I’m not exactly sure why. I do know that January and February did not exist in the ancient days; there was a long, miserable period that was best left un-named and March 1 was New Year’s Day.

Not a bad idea, when you think of it. Just don’t give those two Jan & Feb a name and maybe they will go away. I remember working in a gas station and February was our worst month, so we waited for those 28 or so days to pass and the repair business would get better.

Down Under, it’s quite the thing for guys (no, I’m not being sexist; read on) to grow a mustache during November. Up Over, if I may refer to the United States this way, and perhaps the Aussies do, there is an observance I’ve never heard of, “No Shave November,” which sounds fine to me: let it go and have a full beard.

Except I always suspect guys with full beards are hiding behind them.

On a much better note, it’s also Pancreatic Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease and Lung Cancer Awareness Month; American Diabetes Month; National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. In the Catholic Church, we remember those who have gone on before us. Sure beats letting hair grow out of your face.