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?
