By now many of you probably know that I’m hard pressed to ever let go of the magic of October. Every moment of every season holds beauty, but as far as autumns go, most any of our neighbors would probably agree this has been one of the most dazzling we’ve seen. As if on cue yesterday, Jamieween dawned cloaked in a deep, spooky fog, the golds of October suddenly tinged with the darker golds of November and snowflakes made an appearance in the forecasts. It’s one of the things I appreciate most about nature, something is always letting go, something is always becoming. There’s a comforting steadiness in that knowing.
After one day of rest post-Jamieween, our November celebrations begin tomorrow, November 2nd, with the 6th arrival anniversary of our tiny bovine family, Betsy and her son, Nutmeg, and Honey and her daughter, Meredith.
As many of you know, much to our broken hearts, Nutmeg passed away last spring after a sudden health crisis. He is sorely missed, most especially by his family, and we’re so grateful the Jersey ladies have enjoyed a peaceful, hopefully healing, summer together in their lush summer meadow above the sanctuary.
They recently returned to their winter pasture and I was just remarking to them the other day how floofy and beautiful the beginnings of their winter coats are.
On November 6th beautiful Lucky Lou is turning 33! And you have a special chance to attend her birthday bash virtually if you register for our Comfort & Joy online auction straight away (more details below)!
Another year of adventure and courage as Lucky braved her outdoor habitat, the Bray, for the first time.
On November 10th, gorgeous and sassy Honey Cow turns 17!
Honey and her daughter, Meredith, adventuring to the stream in their summer pasture.
And on November 30th, Willy B turns 34! Endearing, heavy-sigh inducing, Agent of Chaos, we love him so. In all honesty, given all he’s endured and had taken from him in life, it couldn’t be more amazing to see his courage and resilience shine through, as it consistently does.
How far this guy’s come…
November 23rd, Jody’s son, Levi, is turning 41! Levi was one of the last of our chimpanzee mama’s children to reach sanctuary and it took a long while for him to get there. Ellen (and us, by extension) has the great fortune of knowing Levi from her time working with him at Chimp Haven and shared this fantastic photo with us.
Sweet Jody:
Additional November happenings will be the chimpanzees’ Thanksgiving Day celebration falling on the 28th this year and the menu planning is already underway. Included will be the rare treats of Field Roast celebration roast (a super delicious vegan meat substitute) and Hawaiian rolls, which are some of the chimpanzees’ favorites, if food squeaks are any indication (and they are 🙂 ).
Terry enjoying a “roast” from a Thanksgiving past:
And as noted above, our Comfort & Joy 2024 online auction is LIVE, having kicked off on Jamieween and running through November 20th! Be sure to register before Lucky’s 33rd birthday bash and you will receive an invitation to attend a virtual visit to her party! And of course, be sure to check out the expanding list of auctions items for you or the chimpanzees (or for you both)!
We have so many special occasions to celebrate each month, but really, it’s the countless seemingly small, unexpected moments with these extraordinary individuals that are the even bigger celebrations. A nervous and tentative step onto the earth for the first time, the willingness, trust, and shared moments of friendship with the humans who they didn’t ask to have hovering over or dictating their lives, the courage to play, hug, fight, repeat, again and again and again, with the chimpanzee people you find yourself living with, the bravely and generously showing up every day for the letting go and the becoming.
We appreciate you all more than we could say. Happy November and rest of autumn (or spring!) ahead! May they be filled with tiny, glimmering, extraordinary celebrations.
Yau, our monthly Katelyn blog!
I’m sure Missy and Burrito are ready for their field roast! And Neggie, Honey B, and Cy for the rolls! Every time I see those rolls in the store, I think of the chimps and smile…
I notice the train cars have shed their panels, the frames that remain are like the naked trees of winter.
I totally appreciated Mother Nature cooperating with the fog on Jamieween!
The identity of the pumpkin thief–will it ever be revealed?
Wonderful post Katelyn with great photos too. Yes, there is always something to celebrate and as the chimps don’t know the date, they’re all lovely surprises! Sweet Jody with her lilacs is the permanent screen saver on my computer, and it was so nice to see the photo of her handsome son. I know we all miss her so much still. Regarding the lovable rogue Willy B, I’ve always been amazed that there are not more of them with behavioural issues with the previous lives they endured…..it makes it all the more special when he achieves something new.
The girls will be settling in by now to their cozy winter quarters, and looking good in their warm coats. What a joy the sanctuary brings to us all…….I thank you millions every day for sharing it with us.
Thank you for including the photographs of Levi and Jody. I wonder if Levi (and Andrea and Clay) share their mother’s love for pumpkins?
Earlier this evening, I inscribed Jody’s name in a book of remebrances for All Saints Day. Sue me if I’m wrong, but I can’t see why she wouldn’t qualify for that designation.
What a lovely thought Tobin, and perfectly correct for our all round Saint, great friend, den mother, nurse, farmer and chief pumpkin thief.
As I was turning my CSNW calendar page from October to November I thought of you, Katelyn, and your poetic monthly posts I genuinely look forward to. As expected, you did not disappoint. Especially this : “It’s one of the things I appreciate most about nature, something is always letting go, something is always becoming.” But it was the way you tied it all together at the end that left me teary eyed and full of joy for all the residents of the sanctuary.
May November be full of “the letting go and the becoming”!
What a beautiful,heartfelt and somewhat poignant blog, Katelyn. I got a little tearful as it brought home the passing of your/our beloved chimp/bovine residents and the cycle of their precious lives. I loved “meeting” Jody’s boy Levi in that photo and it’s good to know that he is thriving in his forever home, also, though Jody had passed she lives on in her sweet boy.Life goes on and let those good times of Jamieween and Thanksgiving roll. It’s going to be one heck of a party!
So much to celebrate this November! I always appreciate you all taking the time to spotlight whenever one of their children is having a birthday, it makes me happy to see them finally enjoying sanctuary, too!
Not long until Hawaiian Rolls! I’m sure Neggie is marking her calendar now!
Beautiful pics, thank you :monkey_face::cow2::camera_with_flash::orange_heart: