Anyone else ready to drive a road that looks like this? Holy cow. I feel like I’m stuck in the eighth week of August and desperately want to be rid of summer.
Fall can’t get here quickly enough.
This photo is from several years ago on a road out of Thomas, West Virginia. That’s the gorgeous Blackwater Falls region if you’re familiar and I was there on Columbus Day. Most businesses were closed because it was Monday but the roads were wide open and I was delighted that this area was enjoying a vibrant fall foliage season.
I’m ready for pumpkins and sweaters, cozy blankets and the crunch of leaves under my feet. Not to mention the hot chocolate, azure blue October skies, and road trips to nowhere in particular.
There’s so much to see and do in October I feel like I need to rest up so I’m prepared to not miss a thing when it finally arrives.
The party’s over and October is nearly through. As we march bravely into November, it’s still a very moderate temperature here. Today will be near eighty degrees when it really ought to be much cooler here in Ohio and Halloween will feel more like Labor Day.
The colors are still pretty in places and there’s no shortage of leaves falling to the ground so that’s nice to see.
I play this game every year where I try holding out as long as possible before turning on the heat. The goal is always November 1 and I can honestly say there hasn’t been a single day I felt tempted to give in and embrace the heat. It has gotten down into the thirties at night a few times but my house stayed pretty comfortable.
Anyway, we say farewell to October today with lovely poem and this oldie but goodie photo of Scout in his bat wings. I would give you an updated photo of him in his Halloween costume but he wasn’t having it this year.
October’s Party by George Cooper
October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came— The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band.
The Chestnuts came in yellow, The Oaks in crimson dressed; The lovely Misses Maple In scarlet looked their best; All balanced to their partners, And gaily fluttered by; The sight was like a rainbow New fallen from the sky.
Then, in the rustic hollow, At hide-and-seek they played, The party closed at sundown, And everybody stayed. Professor Wind played louder; They flew along the ground; And then the party ended In jolly “hands around.”
As the world begins to slow down and winter approaches, it’s time to think about slowing down your own life and embrace this next season of rest and quiet.
When was the last time you walked amongst the trees and squirrels? When was the last time you slept in? When was the last time you had the camper out or set up a tent for the kids in the back yard?
The burn ban has been lifted here in southern Ohio. Maybe it’s time to have a bonfire. Hot chocolate and smores for everyone!
Read a book, take time to play catch with your grandkids, watch rain drops stream down the window, kick up your feet for a beloved old movie or use the chocolate chip bag recipe to make some cookies.
Action packed doesn’t equal happy. Sometimes the happiest moments can be found in the slow, quiet ones.
October is typically my busiest month of the year. November is a delightfully quiet, slower and darker time to rest and revitalize the mind, body, and spirit. I am beginning to yearn for early bedtimes and cozy nights at home.
As much as I love all the running around I’m doing right now, I eagerly await what’s to come with the shorter days of November!
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.”
“In towering splendor once I stood A regal monarch of the wood, My branches once reached to the sky See me now but do not cry. The Creator’s work has yet to cease I’ve become a shelter for bird and beast, And when at last I fall to the Earth The life I leave will inspire new birth; A seedling springs forth from the ground Nature’s cycle goes round and round.” S. Edward Palmer, Spirit Tree
I was devastated when a storm caused this tree to uproot and collapse earlier this year. It’s at a park where I walk often and I once looked forward to the shade it generously provided.
Now the mere sight of it hurts.
Imagine my joy last week when I turned the corner and saw a splash of color in the water. Fall is amazing for many reasons, not the least of which is how decay becomes beautiful and joy can be found in the most unexpected moments.
October is my month. It’s beautiful, cooler and packed with fun things to do. Falling leaves dance in the crisp air and the aroma of dry leaves mixed with campfire smoke is intoxicating.
Sadly, it’s fleeting and the weather is fickle so I try to make the best of every day. It’s easier to do that when you realize there’s evidence of change and something new to see around every bend.
Here’s to beautiful weekend weather and lots of opportunities to get out and enjoy it!
“Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul…but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.”
Peggy Toney Horton
Fall is my favorite season.
Warm but not hot days followed by cool evenings. Blue skies punctuated by fluffy white clouds. Fall showers and colorful umbrellas. Leaves of yellow, orange, red and brown drifting aimlessly through the air. Pumpkin goodies and tasty soups. Hot chocolate and cold apple cider. The smell of smoke and the feel of a soft sweater on your skin. Jaunty hats, plaid scarves, boots that click when you walk and jackets that pull together an outfit. Pumpkins in a field and apple crisp in the oven.
Fall doesn’t officially begin for a few more weeks but I’m busy preparing. There are adventures to be planned and recipes to try.
Right now, my focus is on prioritizing all the many things I want to do and the many places the Nerd Mobile and I will go. I want to go to fall festivals, pick pumpkins and buy mums for the porches. I want to visit Jack Pine’s exquisite glass pumpkin patch again this year and spend a day and an evening wandering through the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Pumpkins Aglow Exhibit.
There’s so much to see and do in this big world of ours and fall is an excruciatingly short season.
The above picture was taken near Thomas, West Virginia while I was coming home from the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia. It was the single most beautiful drive of my life through mountains and fall leaves with very few cars around to disturb the peacefulness of it all.
This is the day that I passed up a fantastic photo op just a few miles up the mountain. I will always regret that decision but it has taught me to embrace all the pictures, all the pumpkin stuff, all the fun of the season. The opportunity may never come again!
So, Hello September! Let’s get ready for the most exciting season of them all!
