Feelings About Fall

 LUCY BURDETTE: Are you the kind of person who loves to see fall coming? (I know some of you have been suffering through incredible heat this summer and can’t wait for the change.)  I do love the cooler temperatures, and the open windows at night, and fall colors. Last week, I noticed this sign in a nearby neighborhood. Every day during the summer, these neighbors put this board out with high and low tides marked on it, as well as the temperature of the Long Island Sound. Now that summer has officially ended, the board is taking a rest for the winter as well. I got a chuckle out of it, while at the same time it left me feeling a little sad. Time is passing! the board said. Seize your moments now. I will certainly try. I’m hoping to see lots of family and friends, read good books, eat good food, and write good pages this fall and winter, too.

There is also the matter of the silly things that fall brings, like pumpkin spice Cheerios. Really? Does this appeal to you? How do you feel about fall?

HALLIE EPHRON: Having grown up in southern California where there are no seasons (unless wind and fire count), I do appreciate the seasons. I remember the first time I was in Vermont during peak fall foliage and I could not believe how gorgeous it was.

Here, it means time to rake, time to clean the gutters, time to close up the house and make sure the furnace is working. All done. Now I get to just sit back and watch the show. (Photos by Jerry Touger.)

RHYS BOWEN: I’m not a big fan of fall. It reminds me that winter is coming and I hate short dark days. I like to wake up to blue sky and sunshine. I don’t like cold and wet. I don’t like trading my flip flops for boots and socks. And I really don’t like pumpkin spice latte! This is why we fly south with the swallows to Arizona about this time of year.  Sorry if I sound like a grouch!

JENN McKINLAY: Autumn is my favorite season! Probably because I spent my childhood in a small town in the Appalachians in NW Connecticut. Colorful leaves, apple picking, a fire in the fireplace, and the entire town joining in on Halloween with trick or treating. Those are truly some of my happiest memories. And, yes, I love pumpkin spice - coffee and cake and pie - but nothing else, please. Now we have to drive up to Prescott or Sedona to enjoy the aspens changing color but it’s always a wonderful getaway. 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I love fall! It’s gorgeous, it has sweaters and boots and coziness. It smells good, right? and it’s so lovely to walk outside and breathe the gorgeous fresh cool air. 

I love my birthday, and Thanksgiving, and fleecy things. And it’s time to make beef stew and soup. I love how the weather and our instincts are so connected, we just know when it’s the end of iced coffee time, and when we get to wear tights again.

As for pumpkin spice. Okay. I will weigh in. I really love pumpkin spice… In pumpkin pies. Only. That’s all. End of story. Pumpkin pie, love. Pumpkin everything else, not so much. and in coffee, please. I honestly think it’s disgusting. I am so sorry. It’s just me.

You’re all going to say: what about pumpkin muffins and pumpkin scones and I’m sure those are all delicious, but they were just still not be my choice. If there’s a pumpkin soufflé, okay, that might be good. But I am not making it.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I LOVE fall! It's my favorite season. Crisp days or cloudy (rain, please!), cool nights, hot drinks, soups and stews, but most of all just being able to enjoy being outside again.  When the daytime temps fall below 90 I am in heaven. Add fleecy sweaters, cuddly throws, and maybe a little fire in the fireplace. Then all you need is a good book...

Not so big on the pumpkin stuff, though, although happy to have a piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.

 

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Put me in the "Yay for fall" camp, for all the reasons listed above (except for pumpkin Cheerios ?!?) I also love the sense of accomplishment as I cross fall tasks off my list. Get the chimney sweep in, bring the winter clothing down from the attic, have the furnace cleaned, start stacking the wood in the woodroom. There's a particularly cheerful feeling to knowing you and your house are all set for cold weather - which doesn't mean I'd turn down a stay in Key West or Arizona if offered...

 

Thoughts about fall, red readers?

Get Ready, Get Set, Fall!

 Julia Spencer-Fleming: Last March, I wrote about the things I love as the season slowly began its turn from winter to spring; I thought I should do the same thing for today, as those of us in the Northeast see autumn just over the horizon. I know you folks in Texas and the south are still sweltering, but close your eyes and whisper the magic words to yourself: "Pumpkin Spice."

1. Yeah, pumpkin spice. And apple cider. and, about a month from now when it goes below freezing overnight: warm stews and fresh baked bread. 

  

2. The humidity that felt like we were living in a swamp is gone! My older Shih Tzu Kinglsey can actual make it a full mile on our walk when it's not 86°F and 86% humidity. I don't have to wear my hair clipped up every day (although now it's down I realize I'm way overdue for a haircut.)

3. The glorious show the trees put on every year.  Yes, it's already begun here, with several maples in our area looking like the edge of their still-green leaves have been washed with a pale orange-red water color. It's a display that will grow and glow for the next five or six weeks; one of the best parts of the season.

4. Getting cozy at home. Soon I'll be bringing out the woolly throws and velvety blanket, and we'll wrap up in them to watch movies in front of the roaring woodstove. I'll put red and yellow and gold tablecloths down, and swap out some of the linen sofa pillows for plaid.

5. The outdoor work changes. Believe it or not, I kind of like getting the wood in.  Instead of pushing a lawnmower under a blazing sun, I roll my red wheelbarrow from the woodpile to the wood room, and get nice and warm from the exercise during the time of year when I appreciate it.

6. The local arts scene kicks in. Yes, even this fall, when we're still wearing masks indoors and socially distancing, the theaters, the symphony, and the local music venues are coming back to life. 

7. We see more of our friends! This may be Maine specific, or something people tend to do wherever winter is long and summer is short. When June arrives in Maine, everyone rushes outside to travel, camp, hike, sail, etc., etc. Then, when it cools down and the kids are back in school, we start socializing with each other again. Bonus: half my friends put together fairly sophisticated weather-deflecting area last fall, so we can sit outdoors in comfort well into the season.

8. Related: the tourists go home. We love you, thanks for visiting and spending your money, but as the old song goes, "How can I miss you when you won't go away?"

9. SWEATERS

10. Just... I love the change of seasons. I'm grateful to live in a place with four distinct times of year (and hey, with global warming, we may actually get three months of spring, summer, and fall instead of two!) I love the onset of summer, I love it's special joys, but when September turns the page, I'm ready for something new and different.

How about you, dear readers? What do you love about the fall?