Childhood, Grief, Home, Life, Soul Homework, What I Kept

what i kept – november 2025

Kari

i began writing this series in may 2022, not intending to make it a tradition. but it stayed—and so did you. thank you for showing up each month.

first day of november
this reminds me of a tiktok i saw recently where someone said we are the calligraphy of everyone we’ve ever loved, no matter how brief.
the moon on my dad’s birthday
“quietly” by becky hemsley
for the first time ever, my snake plant is actually flowering
at the library with ella one day, we came across a whole row of danielle steel books. it made me think of high school, of old friends.
look to the right of the picture- see the bird mid-flight and the row of birds on the roof line? yard birds 💜
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a rainbow on my leg on thanksgiving day (no filter)

my dearest friend rebecca once kept the photo above on her desk for years. i used to feel embarrassed by it, but she always thought it was utterly adorable. she saw in me something i couldn’t see myself.

years later, i printed that same photo to keep on my own desk, because i’ve been working hard to love that little girl. and now, slowly, i’m beginning to see what she always saw.

speaking of inner children…anna made this for me. it’s little me and big me. they don’t look exactly like us, but they’re close enough. i think it’s really lovely.
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look at those beautiful branches in the sunrise
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last day of november

i was thinking yesterday about how much the landscape shifts here in the month of november. it’s one of the two months in the year when things change pretty drastically from the first of the month to the last- november and april. my dad’s birthday month and my birthday month.

i was telling mike how much i love that little connection, how it feels like one of those details that makes life feel a bit more meaningful. i’m glad i notice things like that. i’m glad i tuck them into my phone, and i’m glad i get to share them here with you. 💜🌈

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44 thoughts on “what i kept – november 2025”

  1. Anthony Bourdain’s quote is bittersweet given what happened, but I always strive to recognize those good moments while I’m having them, rather than looking back later and realizing I’d missed them at the time.

    I had one of those moments over the weekend. :)

    And that’s quite a contrast between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30. I should try to take similar photos in our yard next year.

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    1. It really is. I agree, Mark.

      I would love to see pictures of your yard like that! Also, try taking a photo on April 1 and another on April 30—I feel like there’s a big difference between those dates, too.

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  2. Look at those beautiful colors out the window November 1st! I think of high school when I see Danielle Steel books too (I’ve tried reading them recently and I am not a fan anymore).

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  6. I’ve kept my kindergarten photo on my dresser for many years now. I look at it at least once every day. She’d be astonished at how it all turned out for her–so many of her dreams came true!

    I love the Bareilles quote. How do some people think of such incredible things?

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    1. I’m so glad you keep that photo of yourself too. And I’m so glad so many of your dreams came true! This makes me feel so hopeful today.

      I thought the same thing, Nance! There are so many inspiring thoughts out there. I love that.

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  7. Agreeing with Mark that the Bourdain quote is indeed bittersweet. Your first day of November picture is stunning. I felt as though the colors were muted here, but we also didn’t get enough warm days for me to get out and take many walks in November. I’m like a shut-in now! Remember that term?? I love this: No love, however brief, is wasted. It makes me think of old boyfriends, especially those who’ve passed away already.

    Isn’t it cool when a plant flowers for the first time? I had that happen to my rosemary this year. I’ve had that plant in my window for like 10 years! I love that picture of little Kari. Between the look on your face and the glasses, it so much reminds me of Middle Child. There’s such a sweet vulnerability about it. Also, the picture of you hugging your younger version is priceless. I’ve seen people do that on TikTok with their children who never got to meet their grandparents. It makes me cry, it’s just so beautiful.

    Happy December! XO

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    1. It really is. We just finished his documentary last week. Our colors were vibrant this year, muted last year—isn’t that odd? I feel a bit shut in too, with over a foot of snow on the ground and more coming this week. I think of that too, and old friends as well.

      Yes! Especially when I had no idea a plant could flower. Aww, I love that I remind you of middle child. 💜

      Happy December to you, my friend. xoxo

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  10. These posts are always so good, Kari! So much here that is lovely.

    Wow, you have a lot of snow! Living here I forget that happens! In Calgary there was no forgetting. It did snow today though, which felt kind of special on the first day of December. It’s just a small amount but still feels festive.

    Danielle Steel! I remember reading her books. SO SEXY. I wonder what I would think of them now? Probably they are still very entertaining. I recently learned that she is one of the most-published authors in the world. She is also a workaholic and writes every single day of the year, no days off!

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    1. Aww, thank you! We got 3-6 more inches last night AND we are getting a storm later this week. I’m not sure how to feel about all this snow. 🤣

      Danielle Steel was such a big deal when we were teenagers. I never got into her books, but my friends did. I love that she’s still writing!

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  11. You kept so many lovely things during November! These posts always uplift me. The first and last photos are such a great idea. And they’re both beautiful. I love the photo of your dogs looking at the birds so intensely. And the rainbow on your leg is so fun!

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  12. You captured some beautiful things for the month of November. I love the comparison of the photos from the first and last of the month.

    Amazing that your snake plant flowered! You are the only one I know besides one other person that this has happened to. And you know what the funny thing is? As much as I love plants and have pretty good luck with them, I cannot keep a snake plant alive! I have tried all different spots in my house with several different plants and they all end up dying. And supposedly it’s an easy plant, so who knows?!

    Danielle Steel, OMG. I can’t believe she still has an audience! I read a few of her books when I was like 18 and 19 and then I was done.

    Love how Roger is now wearing a Santa hat. ;-)

    The meme about the student and it asking, who was that person made me chuckle. Just the other day I was wondering how when my boys were teens, I was able to get up at 6 am, out the door showered and dressed by 7:10, work all day (granted, it was only three days a week, but still), keep the house clean, make meals, be a wife and a mom and all that entails, etc etc. Now I’m lucky if I’m even awake by 7:30 am, much less be out the door! I have changed so much, mentally and physically.

    The rainbow on your leg is so cool!

    LOVE the photo of little you. I have one on my bulletin board from when I was 7 or 8. I was all dressed up as a flower girl for my aunt’s wedding. I remember a little bit of that day and getting ready for it. I was scared – I was so shy!

    How did Anna make that photo of little you and big you? That is such a treasure! I’m not sure what you mean by “they don’t look exactly like us.”

    Where did you get that ceramic peace hand? Love it! <3

    xoxo

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    1. I loved it too. It’s wild how much can shift in just one month.

      Melanie, I’m honestly shocked about the snake plant. You’re usually so good with plants and flowers.

      I never connected with her books, but I had friends who absolutely loved them.

      Mike always puts a santa hat on Roger. 💜

      I’ve noticed such a big change in my energy level since last year. I’m sure grief and the whole long covid thing played a big part in that.

      Right??

      I was a flower girl in a cousin’s wedding when I was little. I remember little flashes of it, but I was so shy and scared back then.

      It’s AI, which is why the faces don’t look exactly like us. They’re not actual photos of us, just images made to look like us.

      Anna bought it at Forever 21 when she was a teenager!

      We’re supposed to meet tomorrow and I seriously can’t wait to see you. 💜

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  13. I enjoy your photos of the changing seasons. Especially because we don’t have that flavor out here.

    And yes…. How did we do all of that without a drop of coffee when we were kids. Bizarro world to say the least…

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  14. Gosh, everything was so comment-worthy. I love your attention to detail and I think I said it before but your home looks so inviting – I can feel the good energy.

    I’m glad too that you keep notes of these things and share them with us.💕🙏

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  15. Kari, that first photo of the Autumn leaves is stunning! What a beautiful view!

    I LOVE that post by Louise Miller. And I totally agree!

    Ironic that you posted the “moon” on your Dad’s birthday because the day my father passed away, I just so happened to look outside his hospice window and spotted the sun setting. Dusk was my fathers’ favorite time of the day. And wouldn’t you know that he passed away AT dusk.

    I decided on my recent birthday (Oct 2nd) when I turned 70, that this next decade for me is going to be themed with GRATITUDE. Therefore, every morning before stepping out of bed, I think of all the many blessings I have in my life and am filled with gratitude!

    “years later, i printed that same photo to keep on my own desk, because i’ve been working hard to love that little girl. and now, slowly, i’m beginning to see what she always saw.” – LOVE that!

    Thanks for sharing what you saved, my friend. I’m always inspired!

    Hope you’re having a fantastic week! X

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    1. I love those maples in our yard. I wish the color lasted longer than a week or two.

      I love that quote too and I’ve seen versions of it so many places lately, which is why I felt I should share it.

      Oh friend, I love that you notice these things too. I love that your dad loved dusk. There is such a quiet at that time of day. I love it too.

      You are one of the most grateful humans I know. I’m so grateful to know you. 💜

      I’m inspired by YOU.

      Sending you a big hug. 😘💜

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  16. Love the Sara Bareilles bit on the kaleidoscope. The bridge into the outro in “Fix You” (from when Martin runs into the stadium and up to the stage) is one of the most hopeful bits of music. Always gets me. Every time.

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  17. You had some deep quotes in here, girl! I liked them! That Anthony Bourdain one was pretty powerful. Some random things that stuck with me is watching your one little dog’s profile from the back in the video with his/her cute little ears. I love looking at my cat from behind with his ears sticking up and his chubby neck…lol. Loving that rainbow on your jeans! And the moon on your father’s birthday! I love the way you pay attention to those little moments. It so sweet. I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! xoxo

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  19. I always enjoy these posts, Kari. They provide a few nice moments of contemplation and I need that.

    To be entirely honest, I sometimes screenshot the quotes/saying you share and tuck them into my iCloud Photos. So, thank you.

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  20. So many sweet tidbits here, Kari.

    First, I love that Coldplay song!

    I love the rainbow on your jeans, the dogs watching the birds, you decorating for another holiday; all the good stuff.

    The little you and big you photo is precious!!

    Yes, I also wondered why the Griswolds had family SO early, so far before Christmas!!

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