Autumn Falls

Most people have a preferred or favorite season throughout the year. For most people, it tends to be the spring, when everything starts melting and the weather gets milder. Birds are chirping and greenery starts to poke its head through whatever remnants of winter snow may remain. For others, it’s usually the summer, since this generally means vacations, hot weather and outdoor activities and/or time at the pool or beach. You EVEN get the occasional person who favors winter, citing the beauty and clam that a slow, snowy night can bring. Personally, winter is the season I dislike the most, given that it means shoveling and snow removal, traveling to work in the cold and increased utility costs for keeping the house warm. No, for me, the best season and the one I enjoy the most is autumn, colloquially known as the fall season.

During fall, one can not only start to enjoy some of the milder weather, similar to what spring brings, but one begins to cool off after the hotter temperatures thrown about from the summer months. I get to spend time outdoors and perform yard work and chores without turning my shirt transparent from the sweat. It’s still nice enough out to enjoy workouts on my punching bag or sitting in my garage with a nice cigar. Wildlife still wanders my residential property but changes within their behavior and color start to emerge. The same can be said for the wonderful splendor of nature as a whole.

For decades, I lived in Northern New Brunswick, surrounded by sea water, an open bay and the rounded moutain tops of the Appalachian range. During my youth, I was blinded by time; surrounded by beauty but never truly seeing it, because I grew up around it. It wasn’t until I moved away and started my career in Saskatchewan that my mindset changed. Now, returning home is much like taking a breath of fresh air. For those who have read previous posts, specifically recent ones about the pitfalls of my recent trip out East, I’m referring to the environment and its beauty; not the difficulties of going how again. But it isn’t until recent years while visiting my home area that I’ve come to realize just how much beauty was sitting in front of me all along, with my very clear eyes blind to seeing it. I guess that can often be the way of things when one is younger. You never quite appreciate what you’ve got until it’s gone, right?

If you look at the photo included with this post, you’ll see one of the best parts of the fall season; the changing colors of the leaves. Stretch across a mountainy splendor, one can experience every variety of red, orange, yellow and brown, occasionally sprinkle with a touch of remaining green. This is either from the pine tress or from the few stubborn holdouts that don’t seem to lose their remaining chlorophyll, the pigment that gives most leaves their color. The overall tableau allows one to drink in the full splendor of nature’s awesome beauty and the impressive cycle and process it goes through every year. I can easily imagine, sitting on a rocker on a front porch, looking out at the open ocean and changing colors of the leaves, all while sipping on a hot cup of herbal tea. Not all time needs to be occupied. Sometimes the perfect day is allowing time to slow to a standstill so that nature can be heard. Although I will confess, this is often easier said than done.

So as the autumn settles in for its very short visit before the frigid temperatures of winter settles in, be sure to take some quiet time. Watch the transformation. Watch the evolution of the season and enjoy the cool, crisp mornings offset by the warmer, balmy afternoons. This is truly the best season that offers just a little something for everybody, regardless of their preference. And if you’re unfortunate enough to miss it, take comfort in the knowledge that it’ll all come around again in a year. But for now, take advantage if you can. A peaceful moment can heal many wounds. Jus’ sayin’… ☯️