It Is Autumn

Today seemed like autumn to me. I know it technically started a week ago, but it finally feels like fall.  It isn't even that the weather is cool -- it isn't, actually.  But several trees were completely converted to bright golden hues.  And there was a man sighting in his shotgun down the road (hunting season is a big part of fall, and winter, around here).   But most of all, it was autumn today because there was cider and doughnuts and my grandparents over for dinner.  There's something warm and comforting about fall for me.  Something contented and cheerful about the season, even though everything outside is slowly dying.  Fall is characterized by hay rides, camping trips, and turkey dinners.  It's about warm tea and cider, and wood fires, and cozy sweaters.  I like fall because it seems like a happy time.  Summer is muggy.  Spring is very wet.  Winter is brutal, with snow and short days.  But autumn -- it's crisp and cool, with a hint of winter in the air, yet a memory of summer lingering on.  It feels like things are slowing down, becoming comfortable and routine again.

So that's my ode to autumn.  I'm in a thoughtful mood today.  I was going to write about the bike-a-thon that we're doing tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to say.  Maybe I'll have more to write about after we do it.  So, I think I'll leave you with a song.  And that is all.