In my younger days, summer was the best time of year. The sun shone daily, people were out enjoying activities, and the heat warmed our bodies delightfully.
My granddaughter has never been a fan of summer. She doesn’t like the full beating sun and the heat exhausts her. Autumn is her favorite season. Frankly, it has become mine, also. Early in August, she sent me a text saying, “The best time of year is almost here!” It made me smile. Autumn does bring a relaxed sense of excitement.
September ushers in the fall and the autumnal equinox which occurred this week signals the official beginning of the season. Table scaping is easier for me, too. I set a fall décor down the middle and add to it or take from it each month with minimal changes.
More importantly, temperatures cool, breezes pick up, and the evenings glow. It’s a time for picking pumpkins and hayrides or sitting in the Urban Oasis with the fire pit glowing in the evening. Friends gather with welcoming smiles as we anticipate the weeks to come. The anticipation of sweater weather warms our hearts and souls.
Soon Halloween will bring little movie stars and goblins to the door where animated skeletons greet them with treats. My brother termed the season ChrisThanksOWeen as holidays arrive one after another. Then they are gone almost too quickly.
One of my favorite things about fall is the transition nature signals with foliage changing from greens into yellows, oranges, and reds gently swaying in the breeze until branches release their coats. Several years ago, I replaced a fallen cottonwood with a three-trunk autumn breeze maple. I am amazed at how quickly the little trees have become a monument that greets passersby with the color of the seasons.
Autumn brings seasonal foods – pumpkin spice everything is everywhere! One year I hosted an all-pumpkin weekend for my daughter and a friend’s son. That created a tradition of looking for pumpkin-inspired dishes throughout the month of October. A funny game turned into a family challenge. We still laugh about it as we cuddle around a fire with chai tea and apple cider.
I ran across “I Love Autumn” by the Lyrical Lanterns on YouTube. It pretty much sums up the feeling of home and family love. “Leaves remind us life’s still fine. This is the season I love to hold.”
Happy Autumn!
