Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Fall is Upon Us

Perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath, for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me.
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

The weather has crossed the line, a demarkation point when summer is truly behind us and winter just around the bend.

We best be done with our garden clean up. There will be Indian summer days interspersed here and there but warm weather cannot be depended upon for anything this day forward.

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the crisp air and the smell of burning leaves and woodsmoke bring childhood memories flooding back. We'd construct great piles of leaves and jump off the end of the porch into the center, the crunch of papery leaves being crushed under our weight. The leaves would then be moved to the curb and set on fire. Heavens... it's outlawed today in the area where we grew up. It's hard to find a thing anymore that doesn't spell doom to our planet, according to the experts.



Perhaps I'll construct a little ring of stones in the back forty and place the most beautiful orange and gold oak leaves in the center, lighting it up as an offering to things that once were, and are no longer.

Another year has passed, another season gone. The trick in life is to stay excited about what is around the next corner.

Unlike Anne Morrow Lindbergh, I don't feel the instinct to be half asleep in winter but I do love to hibernate. I can literally go long stretches without ever feeling the need to leave the warmth and protection of my home. I love to tackle tasks that have been neglected during the warm months. Only in late January or February will cabin fever set in and we'll all be grousing at each other, anxious to get outside and start the cycle all over again.


11 comments:

Thirkellgirl said...

Happy birthday!!!! May you have cake and flowers and peace and quiet!

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Well, the crispness in the air made me snuggle longer in bed this morning.

I like your ring of stones idea. Have you read any Sue Monk Kidd? (Secret Life of Bees, Dance of the Dissodent Daughter). She talks about the importance of ritual--even ones we create!! You could have your own little stone-ring ritual place!! (Sounds creepy at first, I know, but I don't think so any more!!). C.

Unknown said...

Love your blog! Happened upon it just the other day!

What a beautiful photo! Fall is my favorite season and I'm so glad it's finally arrived!

I can remember raking, jumping, and hiding in huge piles of leaves every year before my father would carry them all to the ditch in front of our house to burn them. Everyone did that then.

Heidi said...

It is EVER so cold here this morning... 27.... no kidding. Thank you for the email Suzanne - it helped me SO much. I am getting back to a place where I think I can write without spewing venom.. lol much love to you!! Thanks for sticking by me!!

Where in the world is Jefferson City, Missouri said...

Happy Birthday......I love fall and spring the rest of the time forget it.....

What happen to the rest of the dig. I was getting into that. Did they find more? Love it....

Lisa D. said...

While I kind of like fall, I don't like the first couple of times waking up to snow - like this morning! It will go away, but it's a warning that summer and fall are very short here, and winter will soon be on us.
I don't like the long cold winter, but I do have to say some of my favourite days are winter days. I love a foggy winter day, when I can only see a few feet in any direction. I feel cocooned, and insulated from the outside world. It's especially good if there's fresh snow on the driveway, unbroken by tires tracks for 2-3 days.

Lisa said...

What a beautiful photo Suzanne! I love tree lined streets, especially in fall. I too enjoy fall. There is just something in the air at this time of year.

Karen Deborah said...

I love fall and you have been peeking because the garden is not cleaned up. The okra is pulled out and that's it. The rotten maters still lean sickly in their cages. And where am I? Right here.

Stacie said...

Beautiful photo!

Fall is upon us as well, but we are still flirting with warmer temps. We will continue this way for a few more weeks before we experience Fall like temps the rest of the season.

I have an award for you on my blog. I'd love if it if you'd stop by.

claudia b said...

oh my goodness, what a glorious photo! we don't get colors like that here.

Jody Blue said...

Fall is my favorite also with Winter coming in at a close 2nd. Be burn our leaves and pine needles on the garden, still legal here...for now. Apple season here...let the baking of apple bars commence.