Hello Fall?

From Toni's talented collection.

Fall. Where do I begin? I'll start with this. The older I get the more I appreciate Fall. Do you have any idea how long it's taken me to come to this point? Believe it or not, until recently, I've really, truly hated Fall. I believe I suffer from seasonal depression like my dad. There have been certain "routine events" in my lifetime forewarning me Fall was on the horizon. One is the Bevier Homecoming. Two is school starting. The last is the sun growing higher in the sky. These three things seem to take place chronologically. In the order of only a few weeks. As soon as homecoming was over, we prepared for school to begin. During that same time the sun slowly floated higher in the sky. It was almost as if it were trying to trick me into not noticing. But I did. (I do.) Even as a child, I knew what time it was. Time for Fall. Time for the sun to release itself from my fingertips. Pulling to a threatening gravity I could not see. Not for months. Time for things to change from wonderful bright, cheery colors, warm breezes and hot days. Time to dissolve to dull, dark, dying days. Once the days would become cold, my spirit lifted. Almost automatically. Once the dying of green grasses finally faded to brown, I was good. But not until then. I can't really put it in words. It's just something my body and spirit detected (detects). I could not appreciate the beauty of what I would then call, "the dying season". My spirit deflated. Going into hiding until March 1st when all doubt surrenders to the hope of spring. The rebirth of my spirit.

So now since everyone knows exactly how I felt (feel) about Fall, it's time to move on. As I've gotten older and wiser, I've come to appreciate the fact that life seems to slow down a bit more in the fall. Maybe it doesn't die? Maybe it just hibernates for a time? Maybe, just like me, nature needs a nap now and then? Hmmm... did I just tell you I was wiser? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I need a good stiff banana daiquiri that I've been threatening to make for over 7 months but haven't. Fall isn't really a time for daiquiris. Not unless I was sitting on a sunny deck in Florida. ( I promise I will be wishing for that in approximately 2-3 weeks. )

Finally. 20 things I love about Fall. I've seen other ladies post about this very topic. The first one I saw, I immediately thought, "how difficult". So I got to thinking. Do you know what? It's a challenge that really isn't that difficult. So, I'm going to give it a try. "I must make it to 20. I must make it to 20. I must make it to 20..."

1. Decorating. My house glows with fall decorations and lights. I don't do this in the spring. Just doesn't feel right.
2. Thanksgiving, it's my favorite holiday.
3. Candles, lots and lots of spicy candles.
4. The crunching of leaves.
5. Cooking/baking, fall just puts me in the mood. I think you know what I mean.
6. Sweatshirts. Other than jammies, nothing better to keep the chill off than a cozy sweatshirt.
7. Pumpkins. I love pumpkins and fall berries.
8. Cool breezes of early autumn.
9. I don't let myself feel guilty for staying in for the evening.
10. caramel apples, not that I've had one for years, but I love the idea.
11. Craft shows and festivals begin.
12. Airing out my house. The breath of fresh fall air.
13. The little kiddies dressed up for Halloween.
14. Good long books I wish would never end.
15. The scent of a warm house.
16. The World Series
17. Getting into a warm vehicle after being out in the cool air.
18. Autumn rain, it's so much more peaceful than any other rain.
19. Stocking up on grocery sales for future bad weather.
20. My own personal heater named "hubby".

Now I'm going to add one more. My friend Gayla asked me once if I had ever snuck outside to look in my windows on a fall or winter evening. At first I thought she drank too much Earl Grey Tea. "No", I replied. I knew exactly how my home looked inside and out. Why would I waste my time? She told me it was one of her favorite things to do. She did it when no one inside knew what she was doing. She felt like there was nothing more heartwarming than looking into your own cozy home watching what was going on inside. I must admit. There is something to this. I remember "sneaking" outside to watch inside for the first time. The "future" hubby was "boxing" with my Boxer Frankie Beans. He was laughing. Frankie was in his element putting up a good bout. This went on for a minute or two. The "future" hubby got tired and sat down. Frankie didn't give up. He continued his end of the match until he realized "future" hubby was down for the count. Frankie padded into another room then returned with a ball. "Future" hubby threw it and continued to watch TV. Don't ask me why I remember this first "peek" into my home with the "future" hubby, but I do. It's just, well it's just, just heartwarming...