Ode to October
NS October 12th, 2007
I love October more than any other month on the calendar. The crisp air; the reddening leaves; the taking down of jackets and jumpers from storage (and hoping to find some cash in the pockets!); boots instead of sandals; not having to shave as often (not so good for the Noble Husband); the sightings of autumnal and winter ales in shops and pubs the land over; warm, hearty casseroles and soups; golden sunsets streaked with pink; crackling fires; carving pumpkins; Halloween parties; NFL Sundays; the last throes of sunshine and casual strolls, before the frost of winter hunches our shoulders and makes us quicken our strides, eyes cast down and collars up.
Every day this month, I will walk out the door breathing in the air of another October day and relish it, filing the memories, sights, sounds, smells and feelings away for when December comes and the orange leaves shrivel and harden to shades of brown and grey.
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October and November are hands down, my favorite months. Where I live, we got an unusual late autumn start (yesterday actually), and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
There is something about the smoky wood stove fire smell in the crisp air that moves me into action. I catch my breath more and my outdoor pace speeds up. My senses are alive.
Some of the things I look forward to are, sweaters (jumpers) and boots, instead of sleeveless shirts and sandals; dry, rosy cheeks instead of oily, sun reddened skin. I can’t wait to hear the fierce snap of the tree branches (hard to describe), see the technicolor changes of scenery, and the brightness of the cranberry bogs during my many returns to New England to see family.
Autumn is probably the only time I purchase hot cider, or any beverage, in an open paper cup from total strangers; bought during my visits to the farmer’s market where earth tone root vegetables, sturdy plants, hearty breads, and apples of every variety spill out from stalls and stands.
I love seeing the scurrying of animals as they prepare for the harsh winter ahead, stopping to play in their
last attempt to capture the fun before the dark and dreary isolation of winter sets in. There’s so much beauty in the preparation during this season. All living beings participate in a harvest of sorts; nature is ever so remindful now that we are more intertwined than we give ourselves credit for.
The weather of autumn is much like the poetry written over the years about the seasons; subdued and reflective, as opposed to the wildness of summer and the melancoly of winter.
There’s so much beauty in the preparation during this season. All living beings participate in a harvest of sorts; nature is ever so remindful now that we are more intertwined than we give ourselves credit for.
That’s beautiful Tabitha, and so true.
ladies, you both said it so well. all of those reasons surely make october my favorite as well. you forgot one important thing, though – the annual reappearance of octoberfest beer.
Um, I think you’ll find that I *did* mention beer, dude. I just used the word ‘ale’.
and? my birthday. all of those other observations are touching and true, but that’s the one that really seals the deal for me.
Holy jealous, Batman!
While the rest of the civilized world enjoys the fresh, crisp fall weather I’m stuck out here in Hawaii where every day is sucky summer. I’m sweating my butt off and sick of it! Paradise, my arse! I am sick and tired of nothing but ‘summer’ for the past three years!
Okay, done ranting now. Still jealous. Done ranting.