Autumn is my favorite time of year. For me it is a feeling of change, wonderment and starting over. So much is happening, which cause all of my senses to engage at once. Fall is also a chance to just slow down, if even for a bit.
The trees so mighty and lush with life are losing their leaves back down to the ground for rest and rejuvenation. The animals of the fields and woods are hustling to store a cache of food and make their homes snug for a long winters respite. Birds cry their songs as they make their way back to the far-off lands in which they came from many months ago. The farmers race against the changing weather to harvest their crops before it is too late.
I love the colors of fall. The earth tones of brown, red, yellow and orange are easy to spot. However, other colors emerge as well. I have a maple tree which turns a profound dark purple. The wild asters that seem to bloom overnight have a delicate hue of lilac. The soft white seeds from the milkweed take flight and dance in the wind giving my barn cats something to chase. It is so lovely the way the turquoise sky contrasts against the landscape of ever-changing colors.
Meals change during the fall. Stews, hearty soups and the all-time Mid-Western favorite, the casserole, are the evening staples for the changing season. Tonight, I will serve my beloved lobscouse with a fresh loaf of Irish soda bread and for dessert I will make spice cake with browned butter frosting. A heavy meal of warmth and love that has been passed down to me from my grandmother.
The cooler days have me anticipating wool skirts with thick tights and my comfy sweater. The task of washing all the blankets that slept in the closet over the summer followed with hanging them out to dry will reward me when I climb into bed and smell the best part of the day wrapped around me while I drift away into my dreams.
Which leads me to my favorite part of autumn, the smells. The aroma of wood burning in stoves, drying grasses in the pasture, the crisp clean air early in the morning as it dries the frost are all enticing smells. However, it is the rich scent of the oak leaves and walnuts decaying on the forest floor that are my favorite. I find them intoxicating. I ride my bike through the woods as often as I can this time of year and find myself inhaling deep through my nostrils never taking it for granted at that very moment, I am the luckiest person.
I personally invite you to step outside today, this first day of autumn and engage your senses. What wonderful things might you discover or rediscover? Be kind to yourself as you slowly walk around outside in curious wonderment.
Chris Writes 