Tag: autumn

Autumn Nostalgia

Being a part of writers’ groups the last four years that focus on life stories and memoir, makes one examine one’s life and all its special moments. Fall memories are some of my best. Nature explodes in colour, harvest tables are full of the garden and orchard’s best, school begins anew with new teachers, new friends, new challenges.

It’s a new beginning. An end to the leisure and travel of the summer, the outdoor living, and the slowed down pace of vacations and cottages. I see it as more of an end of a year than January 1st as so much is shut down and new experiences begin. And yet, with all the excitement of new beginnings comes the stillness and beauty as nature shuts down and moves into slumber mode. A new cycle truly begins. At this time of year we have such a dichotomy of slow/fast, warm/cold, growth/harvest, busy/relaxed.

How wonderful autumn is. These few precious weeks of colour bursts and dancing leaves, warm days and cool nights, are to be savoured, valued each day for their brevity and glory. Soon enough the temperatures will plunge, Jack Frost will begin his artwork, and snow will cover the ground under a blanket of white.

But for now, the world is a canvas of reds and golds. The sun shines high in blue skies, the pumpkins in the fields create a carpet of bright orange. I hope you get out and enjoy it while it lasts.

The Autumn of My Life

In the Autumn of my life may I remember that this is when one’s true colours come out in all their showy splendour. My beauty glows in scarlets and golds laced with hints of the past green of yesterdays. I blaze and my brilliance can take your breath away. I can only stand in awe at the majesty of it all.

Even as they fall from the trees, the leaves dance to their end in swirling, twirling eddies of colour. Such joy in their descent. I dance with them.

But the show of glory isn’t over yet.

I watch my grandchildren playing in the leaves on the ground. That’s when they’re the most fun for running and leaping, rolling and tossing in arms of brilliance. I join them in play too. And we laugh. And laugh some more. For what is life if we have forgotten how to laugh and play?

I used to say summer was my favourite season but maybe now it’s fall. It’s when the richness of a life well-lived comes to its peak of brilliance.

Before the quiet slumber of winter comes, let me revel in this season of beauty and wear my colours with pride and gratitude. And a whole lot of merriment. And add a dab of silliness just for fun.

Summer is Gone

Summer has ended. Officially it ends with the Autumn Equinox, this year being September 22, but for many the Labour Day weekend marks the end of road trips, camping, and long, lazy cottage vacations.

The hot sultry days of July and August turn to rainy days and cool evenings. Gardens are in late bloom and many flowers have gone to seed. Harvest time is upon us as tomatoes turn red on the vine and squash are beginning to form and mature. I have seen signs of autumn colour in the trees and the geese are practising their flight skills for the long migration ahead of them. The shadows are getting longer and the days are getting shorter. Frosty nights are not far off.

Fall fairs are upon us, the kids are back to school, and stores have been stocked with paper, pencils, and knapsacks for weeks. Most families have finished their shopping and new outfits for that first day back are hanging in closets or tucked into drawers. Students are waiting for that first morning when they greet their new teacher and see old friends.

There’s a sense of sadness when summer ends but there is also a jittery eagerness, an excitement that marks the new season. Fall celebrates its own traditions with Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en, a time for new ways to gather and have fun.

Meanwhile, there are still some sunny days ahead of us. Enjoy these last days of summer while you can.