“In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb color effects as from August to November.” Rose G. Kingsley
Autumn: Japanese Maple in full fall by Melissa Farlow
Autumn: In Central Park by Melissa Farlow
Nothing beats living in a region that has and celebrates the changing seasons. Here on the east coast, our seasons run like clockwork; winter, spring, summer, fall. Then it starts all over again. Of course, if you have paid any attention to the weather patterns of the last several years, we have experienced the not so subtle consequences of global warming. We get a lot more rain than I remember; we get very warm and sunny days in the middle of winter and now tornadoes are becoming a big part of our weather forecast.
In all the different places I lived in growing up, the one lingering, universal memory that warms my heart is of nighttime rainfall and how much I enjoy being lulled to sleep by the falling rains and the gentle pittar patter sounds on the windows or rooftop. Except in desert regions, every country enjoys some rain throughout the year; some countries and big cities get more rain than others. I remember a trip to Seattle last year; everyone advised me about the endless rain showers. I came prepared but it only showered on my first day in town and not a drop more till I left town.
There is something about rain that clears the air and by the same token, autumn/fall has a similar effect on me; it is a time to regroup, a time of change from the summer heat and hustle to falling leaves and the pulling away of my energies as other lifeforms around us prepare to hibernate until the spring brings warmth around again.
“Summer is already better, but the best is autumn. It is mature, reasonable and serious, it glows
moderately and not frivolously … It cools down, clears up, makes you reasonable …” – Valentin
Autumn: Colors on a Maple Tree by Tim Fitzharris
As I write this post, its hailing and raining cats and dogs outside. It is rather late and the howling winds and dancing trees have sent our cat, Tangy, scurrying to hide under a bed somewhere. Nevertheless, I still love fall, the clearing up of leaves and weeds, the dying down of perennials as they take a rest and all the wonderful heartwarming things about this season.
For this week’s MamaKat’s Writing Workshop, the prompt I chose is: 10 reasons why you’re glad it’s Fall. Join me in reminiscing as we gently glide our way into fall. What reminds you of fall and what memories of fall do you hold dear? Do share.
Aside from the fact that Autumn/Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year, there are many reasons why Fall resonates with my spirit and puts a smile on my face. BELOW & marked with♥ are ten♥ reasons to keep Autumn on your favorite list too…
“There is a harmony, In autumn, and a lustre in its sky, Which through the summer is not heard or seen,As if it could not be, as if it had not been!” – Percy Bysshe Shelley/strong>
Autumn: Colors of leaves and Eagle lake by Tom Fitzharris
♥End of Summer and Summer heat: The end of summer means time to get back on track with preparing fro the fall and getting our home ready for the cooling nighttime temperature and impending colder winter days. It is also a time to regroup.
♥Back to School for the Teens: Fall means Labor Day and back to school for the kids. We find ourselves getting ready by our trips to Staples and other places to get school supplies, clothing, backpacks and more for our children. No more lolly-gagging on the porch or in front of the TV… Back to school means meetings and homework.
♥Fall-wear vis a vis Clothing: Fall wear is great. I have never been much of a flimsy summer dress gal. I love substantial clothing; coats, chunky sweaters, corduroys, boots, turtlenecks, wool pants, cashmere and all the range of clothing that fall tends to offer us as protection against the elements. I love knit hats, wool scarves worn in a french knot and gloves… Yes, winter gloves; especially leather ones are so cool. The tragedy is that I tend to lose a pair or two every season.
♥Fall Colors Return: Are you fond of the colors of fall? The burnt oranges, deep reds and greens, the golden yellows paired with browns. shades of earth, rust, even purples, navy, the ubiquitous black and the occasional touch of whites. Fall colors are simply elegant and rich and they look good on me and I presume on you too…
♥Fall Foliage: One cannot say enough about the changing colors of the leaves or foliage on trees and shrubs as the season shakes hands with Mother Earth and changes handsomely from summer to autumn. With a magnificent splash of color, fall captures the poet in me and turns my eyes in the direction of all the cavalcade of sumptuous colors; each falling leaf matching a sweater, a shawl, fall jackets to stay warm. Our focus can be inward or outward but we never miss the foliage of fall.
“For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.”- Edwin Way Teale
Autumn: The backdrop of Fall Foliage
♥Soups Galore: Yes, soups are deliciously satisfying in the fall. We have more reason to make then; the cooling temperatures, the long stretches of cold and we get to enjoy a hot bowl of pumpkin soup, minestrone, vegetable medley, potato leek and asparagus soups… all favorites and shared with chunks of warm french baguettes. What could be more rustic and comforting a meal than that?
♥Halloween for the Toddler Set: I’ve never been a great Halloween fan but I can understand the joy little kids have about trick-a-treating for candy in their ghoulish outfits. I love orange and black so the colors definitely work for me… When my kids were little, we went trick-a-treating with them at night and it was fun.
♥Thanksgiving is Coming: We talk about the holidays a lot in the fall and there are several we celebrate in my household. Thanksgiving is huge in the USA and we enjoy the festivities that come with that celebration. Remembering to be thankful is always worth celebrating.
♥Hanukkah is Arriving: Hanukkah is important too and a lot of fun for my kids. They are fortunate to get gifts from both their Christian and Jewish relatives so much is celebrated and enjoyed during this time of the year.
♥Christmas is Here:Christmas brings closure to the year and helps everyone prepare for the colder winter season even as we enjoy putting up a Christmas tree, celebrating the birth of Jesus, exchanging gifts, listening to holiday songs and joining hands while cherishing the festivities.
We learn things about ourselves throughout the year but I believe that the fall brings us closer as families and helps remind us to honor our blessings, share our goodwill, and celebrate the impending new year waiting around the corner. Even when we find some of the festivities and activities tiring, we are reminded to share our gratitude in a definitive way in the autumn/fall season. What can we learn from this?
How do you adjust to change in the fall? What do you do to celebrate the season? I would love to hear from you: Thank You!
PHOTO CREDITS:
All Photo of Autumn/Fall by Melissa Farlow, Medford Taylor, and Tim Fitzharris via NatGeo ~ courtesy of National Geographic
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
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