It’s fall – well, almost

Autumn to me has always felt like the beginning of things. Forget leaves falling from the trees signaling the coming of winter and the end of growing things. There’s nothing gloomy about autumn; there’s something fresh and energizing about it.

I don’t know why we celebrate the new year in the dead of winter. Chinese New Year comes at the beginning of spring, when people begin to look forward to all things new and fresh. That makes more sense than going out and celebrating in sub-zero weather, but really fall is when new years should start.

So much begins in the autumn. When I was a kid school started the day after Labor Day. Summer vacation was over, the swimming pools closed, there seemed to be a nip in the air. It was invigorating, and made you feel like getting out and doing something. There were new fall clothes for school, and new school supplies that brought about the determination that this year, you’re going to really apply yourself and get those grades up.

Autumn means eating hearty soup, chili, sipping hot chocolate. Moms would cook more substantial meals like stews and roasts. Fall meant it was cool enough to bake bread and cinnamon rolls without overheating the kitchen. Pies and cookies started appearing on the table. You just feel more ambitious in the fall, full of new zest and ambition.

New cars come out in the fall. The TV programs introduce their new lineups in the fall. Autumn means dragging your feet through the fallen leaves, wearing sweaters, and stepping on acorns and feeling them pop under your feet.

Fall holidays are more fun. There’s Halloween with hot cider, candy corn, and bobbing for apples. Before it got lost in the holiday rush, there was Thanksgiving with turkey and sweet potatoes and gravy and pumpkin and mincemeat pies. Thanksgiving had its own special feeling before Christmas took over later in December and reminded us that winter was coming.

Air conditioners go off in autumn, and people build bonfires outside to keep warm and roast hotdogs and marshmallows.

And best of all — Daylight Saving Time ends and we go back to normal and get that extra hour of snuggling under the covers against the brisk fall air. I can’t wait!

Happy autumn!