A summary of the November posts from the MORE TO COME newsletter.
November is full of opportunities for gratitude. We are surrounded by the bounty of the earth at our local farmers market and see the miraculous in the common. We walk among glorious explosions of fall colors with a sense of wonder. We join with family and friends over meals—some lavish, others as simple as bread and wine—relishing a lifetime of relationships.
But it isn’t always easy to give thanks. In difficult times such as these the Dutch theologian Henri J.M. Nouwen reminds us that discipline—making the decision to choose gratefulness—helps.
“Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint.”
From The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming
As we celebrate Thanksgiving I want to consciously remind myself of all I have that makes my days exceptional even when they are ordinary. “The world is full of beauty and grandeur and also wretchedness and suffering; we know that people are kind and funny and brilliant and brave and also petty and irritating and horrifically cruel,” as Kathryn Schulz reminds us. Even in the midst of that, “we live remarkable lives because life itself is remarkable.”
I give thanks for my ordinary, exceptional days. For a wife who loves me in spite of my many foibles and increasingly eccentric habits. For a mind and body that still work. For healthy, curious, interesting children who are following their passions. For the unconditional love my parents showed to me. For the example they lived out through their lives. For the astonishing fact that my siblings—all of us about as different as five people can be—still love each other, talk with each other, and find ways to support each other.
For books. For walks. For the time this month to sit down over a meal with friends old and new—Christine, George, Two-Dollar Tom, Dolores, Judy, Kevin, Ted, Lucy, Bob, Deborah, Katie, Molly Jo, another Christine, Margaret, Oakley, Constance, Jim, Kate, Meg, Pete, Kay, Bizzy, and others—to share stories, challenges, fears, loves, and passions. For mentors, past and present. For good local coffee shops and independent bookstores. For a country where God knows we don’t always get it right, but enough people keep trying to give us hope. For the ability to visit new parts of the world and the ongoing interest in seeking new ways of looking at that world. For good bourbon. For a faith that deepens even in the midst of—or perhaps because of—mystery.
And for those who let me know that one or two things I’ve written here struck a chord. Thank you.
Now let’s see what caught my eye this month.
READER FAVORITES
November’s top post in terms of reader views is the same each year. I’ve been sharing family photos annually for 18 years, and you can find this year’s version at Our Year in Photos — 2025. Family vacations, gourmet meals, career growth, retirements, births, deaths . . . they are all there. And readers still keep checking out this post. Amazing!
REACHING A MILESTONE
A conversation I had this month with author Rich Moran, captured in A wild dream, an old Victorian, and a few grapevines from a kind neighbor, was the 20th in a series I call Author Q&As that began three years ago.
Pull up a chair and let’s talk, featuring snippets from each of those conversations, is my celebration of this milestone. After reading these 20 books and following up to discuss them with their authors, I’ve learned so much about history, theology, historic preservation, planning, architecture, perspectives, social and environmental justice, the art of observation, the writing craft . . . and life.
HISTORY AND THE LOSS OF IGNORANCE
Two stories this month came at the question of history—what we know and how we know it—from different angles. Both were of interest to a number of readers.
- One person’s perspective . . . and why that’s important asks—and then answers—a simple question: Can one person write history? This post celebrates the American Diary Project and explains why these stories from ordinary Americans are so important in understanding the full story of our nation.
- As the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy approached, I visited Parker J. Palmer’s essay on the topic in The world unravels always and has to be rewoven every day. November 22, 1963 was a day when many lost their innocence—or perhaps ignorance—about America. Palmer asserts that this “disillusionment is key to living a grounded life. To be ‘dis-illusioned’ means you’ve lost an illusion—and that means you have a chance to live a little closer to reality.”
SPORTS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Glued to the television in October and early November, I watched riveting baseball games played out over two countries that were full of drama, heartbreak and unexpected joy. A baseball postseason for the ages says it all in the title.
I’m shocked—shocked—to find that gambling is going on in here is my reaction, yet again, at hearing that there are gambling scandals across all our major sports. Gambling and sports . . . what could possibly go wrong?
BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS
Besides Rich Moran’s wonderful tale of moving into a ramshackle old Victorian mansion, being gifted some grape vines, and finding life, I read some other important books in November.
- An unlikely freedom fighter chronicles the exploits of Josephine Baker in the story of how one of the most famous celebrities of her time—who began life Black and poor in segregated St. Louis—became a French spy during WW II.
- Lessons in history—and on the art of being human—from a posthumous collection of thought-provoking essays by David McCullough are captured in my post America is an effort.
- Do one thing everyday that scares you is my review of the latest book from Dr. Francis Collins, a work which looks at four core sources of wisdom: truth, science, faith, and trust.
- The Opry at 100 is a celebration of the 100th birthday of the Grand Ole Opry as seen through Charles Wolfe’s groundbreaking book on the early years of this American institution.
From the bookshelf: October 2025 captures short blurbs on the books I read last month.
COMMENTS I LOVED
My favorite comment this month came from Brilliant Reader Margit, but it wasn’t posted online. Instead, it came via a hand-written card, in response to an earlier post on gratitude and thankfulness. It seems appropriate for this week.
“I enjoy most of your columns—exceptions being baseball and some of the country music 🙂
I particularly appreciated your most recent one on gratitude. I try and choose happiness / gratefulness / gratitude most of the time. It comes easy being outdoors for me, with family, and music to cover a few important things. Others, harder.
I am so grateful you have the energy to write these columns, and more than grateful to count you and Candice as friends.”
Merci.
DON’T POSTPONE JOY
Thanks, as always, for reading. Your friendship, support and feedback mean more than I can ever express.
As you travel life’s highways be open to love; thirst for wonder; undertake some mindful, transformative walking every day. Recognize the incredible privilege that most of us have and think about how to put that privilege to use for good. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, public servants, and others can feel especially vulnerable . . . because they are. Work hard for justice and democracy as the fight never ends.
But also keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable. Take time to dawdle and dream. Leave enough empty space to feel and experience life. Those gaps are where the magic begins. When times get rough, let your memories wander back to some wonderful place with remembrances of family and friends. But don’t be too hard on yourself if a few of the facts slip. Just get the poetry right.
Remember that “we are here to keep watch, not to keep.” Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. And bash into some joy along the way.
Life is finite . . . love is not.
Try to be nice. Always be kind.
More to come . . .
DJB
For the October 2025 summary, click here.
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Photo of fall scene from Pixabay.
MORE TO COME... 