Several friends have become “snowbirds,” preferring to spend their winters in places that have no true winter weather. I am not averse to spending a couple January weeks in Florida or Hawaii, but I still like living in a place that experiences a change of seasons.
This year, summer overstayed, sending us 90-degree temps into October, but as I write this, autumn has finally made its appearance. I am glad to see those hot days in the rearview mirror. Crisp mornings with a hint of frost are more than welcome. Every season has its own pros and cons. While I love the yellows, oranges, red, and russets that color the trees, I am not fond of their dead remnants all over the ground. The sights of autumn might be pumpkins and ghosts on front porches, but the sound of autumn is leaf blowers.
Time for Holidays
My birthday is in autumn, and I have a dear friend who gives me pumpkins for my birthday every year. She began this practice quite surreptitiously. I’d wake up one morning during the week of my birthday to find pumpkins in my yard! What a treat! The arrival of the pumpkins not only reminded me of my birthday, but they have been like a herald of autumn.
Halloween
Our street has seen a shortage of young children since mine grew up. The families in our cul-de-sac used to sit in their driveways, some with firepits ablaze, while our children traipsed the neighborhood with their sacks, calling “Trick or treat!” The costumes ranged from ghouls and goblins to princesses and super heroes. And there were always a few special costumes: little Emily dressed as a Hershey’s Kiss or the boy dressed as a bubble gum machine. We were always eager to see the most original ones. In the last couple years, several new families have moved in—and they have little kids! On Halloween, I will be in my camp chair at the end of the driveway with bowls full of candy, looking forward to their arrival.
When Halloween is behind us, many people are ready to jump into Christmas, but my mind saves that for after Thanksgiving. And Thanksgiving has to wait until after Veterans Day. The Halloween wreath on my door will be replaced with a patriotic wreath, and the Stars and Stripes will fly. My husband and sons are veterans, and I always take them out to dinner on that day to thank them for their service. I hope others will remember the “forgotten” November holiday. Our veterans deserve better.
Thanksgiving
Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a family day for us. We try to get as many of us together as can manage. The people who talk about families who don’t get along and can’t enjoy spending Thanksgiving together is a mystery to me. I love time with my family! It’s one of the things I am most thankful for.
Even though winter doesn’t begin officially until December 22, we tend to think of Thanksgiving as the end of autumn, so autumn will zip by in a hurry. I intend to get the most from its crisp weather, gorgeous foliage, and Halloween delights. I might even take my turn with the leaf blower.
Happy autumn!
