Holly Purdy

We put our Christmas tree up early this year—before Thanksgiving—which, honestly, felt a little rebellious and a little necessary. One random afternoon after school, we piled into the truck, the kids half-bouncing out of their seats, and drove down the road to find “the one.” There’s something about that first tree hunt that feels like crossing a threshold. As soon as we hauled it inside, I knew what was coming next: Christmas movies on too loud, the same playlist on repeat, the chaos...

Can you believe it? Here we are rolling into November—the month of giving and gratitude. The colors of the leaves remind us that change is our only constant, and that change can be vibrant and beautiful, even as we cling to these last warm days of fall. The darker mornings and evenings gently nudge us inward, away from outer sense pleasure and toward inner reflection—what in yoga’s Eight Limbs is called Pratyahara (drawing inward), and Svadhyaya

Fall has arrived with its calming hand, returning homeostasis and a peaceful rhythm to our valley. Traffic has lightened, the consistency of school has begun, and the shorter days are inviting us to be inside at an earlier time. It’s without a doubt my favorite season in Montana, the calm after the high highs of summer.