What is your favorite season? For many of my friends, it is autumn. They quote things like cooler weather, football, back to school, bonfires, Halloween for the reasons for this. The list goes on and on.
As a child, I was happy for summer to end because it meant going back to school. As a farm kid, summer was a time of near isolation. There were things to do. Things like gardening, harvesting, preserving food. And preparing for the colder months that would soon be upon us. Believe me, I was ready to go back to school and see all my friends! And it meant an end of the oppressive heat of summer and cooler weather.
Even today, cooler temperatures are always welcome. For me, I drag out all my comfortable old clothes: sweatpants and sweatshirts, old worn jeans soft as butter, turtlenecks and oversized sweaters. They are as familiar and welcome as old friends.
I have recently discovered a new item of clothing that may replace my jeans and sweatpants. They are yoga pants by Fabletics. It took a while for me to actually try them. I don’t know why I procrastinated except that the idea of pulling something so skintight and revealing over this old, broken body was more than slightly intimidating. Yet… Yet, once I actually did the deed, I was in love! I have practically lived in the several pairs that I have accumulated over the summer. I wear them everywhere because I have discovered that a long shirt covers a lot of faults. The great thing for me is that they work like compression garments for my legs and give them a little massage with each movement. It’s a win, win situation.
When I taught and when my children were small, I decorated for every season. For the fall months, there would be the inevitable bales of straw, stacked as a backdrop for pumpkins and mums. Then, something appropriate for Halloween that was not too scary. I made the mistake of overdoing it one year for October 31 and terrified a few small children with the spooky noises and screams. I felt horrible as I watched the little ones flee in terror without even waiting for their candy. I had to apologize to a few upset parents and never did that again!
One of my favorite activities of fall is having a cookout and a fire in the pit. For me, the food doesn’t even have to be cooked outside. Prepared in the kitchen and transported outside is fine with me, as long as there is a fire. I’m not a pyromaniac but there has always been an allure for me to the flames of the firepit. It is relaxing to sit and watch the ever-changing flames dance in the dark. It is easy to lose one’s self.
This year, we have accumulated quite a lot of branches and twigs from lawn cleanup so there is potential for a nice blaze. Actually, the pit is overflowing. I’m looking forward to it. No matter what is on the menu, I will have the fixings for s’mores. If children are present, there are always the inevitable blazing marshmallows on the end of a roasting stick. Toasted a bit too much and sticky, no matter how they are retrieved. I can smile at the mess, however bad it is. This is how good memories are made. And when the evening is done, I am always reluctant to bid everyone farewell and put out the fire.
Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about autumn for me is watching the leaves turn various colors. Even during the warm months, leaves are not all the same and come in a variety of greens. Once the cool weather begins to turn the leaves in the fall, each one’s distinctive shade becomes more apparent. Maples with their fiery reds and oranges, elms more yellowish-brown, Ash turns brilliant yellow and sycamore a drab brown. They all are beautiful in their own way and, together in the landscape, are breathtaking.
Fall is not my favorite season. To me, it is a bit sad. The end of summer, less sunlight, the prelude to cold weather. Yet there are so many things I like about it. I can’t say that I’m looking forward to this season in the same way some as my friends do but I will glean whatever joys come with this time and try to enjoy it through their eyes and experiences. I’ll go to the corn maze and participate in the ever-popular pumpkin carving. And I will enjoy the activities of fall because I will be doing them with my family and friends. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?
What are some of the things you like about Autumn? Reply in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
