“I have done nothing all summer but wait for myself to be myself again.”
Georgia O’Keeffe
The calendar says it’s fall so I trust that Mother Nature will figure it out again soon. I feel more like myself in the fall than any other time of year and I’m ready for that feeling again.
Life is harder in the summer and I’m exhausted as the warmer weather hangs on, wearing out its welcome in September.
I’m ready for the world to be beautiful again. I’m ready for cool days, long hikes, flannels and the smell of campfire smoke. I’m ready for spooky books and cozy blankets, for hot chocolate and the sense that anything is possible because nature is showing us how beautiful it is to let things go.
This church is located just a few miles from home. I pass it often, typically on my way to the Dollar General on a quest to acquire some random thing I forgot to buy.
I hate those store runs but always enjoy passing by this country church.
There’s an elementary school and playground behind the church. That school is new, built after the schools I attended grades K-8 were torn down.
Now bigger kids from the surrounding townships attend the middle school in town while the younger country kids still have the benefit of being closer to home.
While the schools are different, this church hasn’t really changed in my lifetime.
I remember having an end of year picnic under those trees in second or third grade. The shade and comfort provided here on that warm May day has always been a happy memory. I normally had chips in a baggie but that day I had Doritos in the little tiny bag from the store and drank a lukewarm can of pop wrapped in foil that never really kept it cold.
Isn’t it funny the things we remember?
There’s a little free library in front of the church as well as a Blessing Box where you can leave non perishable food items to help folks in need.
I need to weed out some old books and think I’ll leave them there. Owning a book of your own is special but it’s not a priority when food insecurity is the only thing you can think about. That’s a common struggle for many in my community meaning that even a $3 Goodwill book is not a smart investment.
I like the idea of passing along something extra to anyone who wishes to read. This has been on my mind lately because I’ve been reading a book that discusses Nazi censorship and book burning. It also talks about the impact of placing books in the hands of American soldiers in World War II and what that did for morale.
I’m glad this little country church with its backyard full of trees has a place for our neighbors to receive these gifts of food and books. Hopefully these things will brighten their day and lesson their load.
The urge to transition from summer into fall is becoming intense. This is never a surprise given how much I prefer fall over summer but it’s surprising that I’m already thinking about it.
I typically make it to Labor Day before indoor decor transitions to pumpkins and plaids, woodsy aromas and piles of recipes for soups and baked goods. It’s normally late September before I pull out a few Halloween decorations and begin stockpiling mums, asters and pumpkins on the front porch like some sort of pumpkin spice emergency may lie ahead.
And yet, here we are.
We’ve recently had a couple of mornings that felt like fall. Low sixties with blue skies and a slight rustle in the trees feel refreshing enough to trick you into believing summer will be over soon.
I have already started a stack of movies, books and tv shows for fall and am thinking about recipes. I’ve been looking for some vintage amber glassware and am wishing I had planted some pumpkins. How fun would it be to have your own backyard pumpkin patch?
I always say that half the fun is in the planning and anticipation. I suppose this will give me plenty of time to be ready!!
If you asked me to rank the seasons starting with my favorite, it would be Fall, Winter and then Spring. Summer is so unpleasant it doesn’t merit a mention.
Ask me about my favorite month of the year and October is a clear winner. There’s nothing like October with its moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings. The sky is typically a pleasant blue and the light turns golden, creating spectacular photo opportunities at nearly any time of day.
Late bloomers in my flower beds hang on until the first hard frost and the landscape is dotted with colorful mums, marigolds and asters. Grown adults get excited about pumpkins and some of us still roll up our sleeves to carve a Jack-o’-lantern.
Cute hats, scarves, boots and sweaters begin to replace shorts and t-shirts and not a moment too soon. Summer clothes are rarely a good look for me. Not to mention the joy of having soup simmering and hot chocolate at the ready.
And the events! Let’s not forget all the fun events that come with this month. In fact, it feels like there are too many activities to pack into just 31 days. Ghost walks, fall festivals, open houses and so much more offer opportunities to explore.
Truth be told, I almost welcome the fall rains that set in come November. As much joy as October brings, I teeter on the edge of ready for a break from all the running by the time the weather turns sour.
Almost but not quite. After all, who would wish away all this happiness?
I plan to hike more than normal this fall and to study the foliage maps to make sure I’m maximizing exposure to all the pretty leaves in my weekend wanderings. I’m going to make popcorn for special couch time screenings of It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and a few other seasonal classics. Maybe I’ll even buy some Halloween candy.
There is much happiness to be discovered in October and I solemnly swear to do my best to enjoy life to its fullest this month. After all, life is short and a gal only gets so many chances to savor her favorite month.
To quote Victorian era author L.M. Montgomery “I’m so glad I live in a world with Octobers.”
New York was a city between seasons when I visited earlier this month. Southern Ohio trees shed their leaves several weeks ago so it was shocking to find brilliant pops of gold and bronze amidst the skyscrapers.
It was also beginning to look a lot like Christmas as an abundance of lights, trees and wreaths brighten the streetscape.
Zuccotti Park is located near our hotel in lower Manhattan. My friend and I took a late night stroll and I was delighted to find this spot.
This nearby office lobby tree was even more stunning in person and was even pretty in the daylight.
The tree and menorah at the World Trade Center were meaningful in this quiet spot. We passed by on the way to breakfast and I was pleased to linger for a moment and appreciate the significance.
And all of this was in one small area of the city!
Why, hello October! It’s so good to welcome the Autumn season here in southern Ohio. The weather has turned decidedly cooler and it’s beginning to look and smell like fall.
Last night, my cousin Sherrie and I strolled through a corn maze lit with Jack O’Lanterns at Walker Farm near Logan, Ohio. I recently interviewed the owners for a story at work so I was more than happy to say yes when Sherrie wanted to go.
The sky was magnificent and the company was good. I can’t imagine a better way to kick off what I hope will be a festive, busy season.
