Dear Kid,

It’s Pumpkin Muffin time again. Yesterday I made my World Famous Pumpkin Muffins, and in a moment of What Was I Thinking I decided to make a double batch. For the record, that’s a LOT of muffins.

With any luck, there will still be one or two waiting for you when you get home.

Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month? Although I don’t think many people get a novel written in a month. There are plenty of people who can barely get a novel read in a month.

Of course, it’s No Shave November. The original idea behind NSN was not only to raise awareness about cancer by being fuzzy, but that the money that would have been spent on shaving supplies should be donated to help educate people about cancer and/or to help fight cancer.

You are not required to go shaggy in order to donate.

Today is National Cashew Day. No one knows why.

It’s also Eat a Cranberry Day. Don’t know why you’d do that with all the pumpkin muffins sitting here, but to each his own bog.

Can’t wait to see you in a few days.

Love, Mom

Dear Kid,

I officially re-declare Thanksgiving week open. Refortified with ingredients, I spent the last two hours making pumpkin muffins (don’t forget to give some to your chauffeur when you come home from college).

Yesterday, Daddy and I went to see The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. It was not quite as good as The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) because it is darn hard to top the history plays as a football game, but it was very funny.

It is crazy cold here (your grandparents would probably refer to it as a trifle chilly). Dad went outside to do some yard work and Booker was begging to come back in where the heat is after only 5 minutes or so. He is now huddled over the heater vent, eyes mostly closed, basking in the warmth. I’m pretty sure he’d purr if he had the right equipment.

Because I am a Helpful Sort of Mom, I am making a list of Things You Don’t Have to Buy For Me. Ever. The first item on the list is Hostess’s Twinkie Maker (also available is a Hostess Cup Cake Maker which I equally don’t want). Available for you not to purchase at Kroger and other fine establishments. Seriously, how do they think of these things? And who has room to store such items? Don’t answer. I don’t think I really want to know.

Counting the days until you’re home.

Love, Mom