Falling for Autumn

Among the pumpkins - fall 2011

I've never really liked fall. 

For me, it has always signified the end of summer (my favorite season) and the start of school (boo), and served as the harbinger of winter (hiss). The weather gets colder, my workdays become more hectic, days become darker earlier, and my local park's hours shorten, making it more difficult to go there, all of which prohibit adventure and encourage a six-month hibernation. And the anniversary of a friend's death looms once again. So, all around, not good things associated with this time of year.

But I'm trying to take the Pollyanna approach. There are some enjoyable aspects to fall (I keep telling myself), if only I can find them. At the top of the list, of course, is the beautiful scenery, covered in red and orange leaves. Fall also marks the start of local colleges' performing arts series and, of course, televised figure skating (my love of which is documented in Figure Skating: An Appreciation and Olympic Fever). 

Canned pumpkin puree returns to my local grocery store, which, for some reason, I craved like never before last fall, resulting in pumpkin pies, pumpkin brownies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin cheesecakes. This fall I've discovered the seasonal joy of pumpkin-spice bagels, which smell as scrumptious as they taste. Can pumpkin-spice lattes be far behind?

Also contributing to my newfound appreciation for fall has been surprisingly warm (for my neck of the woods) late-September and early-October weather, including a week or two in the 70s. My winter coat and boots remain in the closet, as do the scarves and mittens, my snow brush and ice scraper haven't left my car's trunk, and my thermostat has only been adjusted two or three times (so far), so it's a good start to the season, in my book.

Now if only I can start enjoying upstate New York winters...