Friday, September 5, 2014

Fall in Love with Fall by Alison Henderson

It's fall! To get you in the mood, I thought I'd share some of the glorious glass pumpkins one of the local artists here makes every year.

I've always loved fall. For most people spring is the season of renewal. For me it was always fall. I was one of those horrid, geeky children who looked forward to the new school year with anticipation instead of dread. Summer in Kansas City was hot, and no matter how many activities my mother signed me up for, summer was invariably boring. School was my thing, my purpose. The new school year brought a new teacher, a few new classmates, new activities, and new things to learn.

To me, fall also marked the beginning of the holiday season. No more long stretches with nothing to look forward to. September marked the start of school. My birthday is in early October. November brings Thanksgiving. And then there's Christmas. Who wouldn't love fall? It's four months of non-stop excitement!

I've also always loved fall weather. The cooler, crisper air used to energize me after the hot, humid dog days of summer. Now that we've moved to coastal California, things are a bit different. The days are shorter, sure, but September is historically the warmest month, and evenings are cool year-round. The natural changes of fall are much more subtle here. There are a few deciduous trees, but most plants look much the same. You have to look more closely to notice which plants are blooming and which are starting to settle down for the winter. We're heading into our second fall here, and I wonder how long it will take to adjust. Autumn has a different kind of beauty by the sea.

Alison
www.alisonhenderson.com
http://alisonhenderson.blogspot.com 

8 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

Beautiful pictures, Alison. Fall is my favorite time of year too. In Micigan, we end up with some beautiful landscapes when the leaves change color.

Liz Flaherty said...

Wonderful pictures! I love fall, too, though it doesn't last nearly long enough.

Jannine Gallant said...

Fall is all about change for me. The end of working at the boat ramp and back to the rec center for my winter job. The girls are starting cross country season. First race is today, so I'll drive a car load of energetic girls to compete. My house is empty during the day--more writing time. And the leaves are starting to turn in the woods. What's not to love about fall!

Alison Henderson said...

Margo, I think I miss the fall colors most of all. Maybe I should visit my daughter in Illinois!

Liz, I think the transience of fall is one of its greatest charms.

Jannine, I've always loved the energy of fall, and your life just about sums it up! There's nothing like having active children (of any age) around the house.

Alicia Dean said...

I'm already in love with fall! I can't wait. Love the holidays and the weather and all that jazz. I lived in KC for three years and loved it. Those pumpkins are gorgeous!

Alison Henderson said...

Alicia, I love these pumpkins, too. I didn't buy any last year because we hadn't moved yet, but if the artist holds the same show this year, I'm getting at least one!

Leah St. James said...

So sorry I'm so late responding! I love fall also! It's a toss-up for me between fall and spring (for my favorite season). Each brings its unique beauty. I was just like you with a new school year. I remember going shopping for school clothes (invariably winter clothes) and sweltering in them in that first day's summerlike temps. :-) The pumpkins are gorgeous! What's not to like??

Donna Michaels said...

Beautiful pumpkins, Alison! I love the whole fall décor. It must be interesting to experience fall in a different state with a different climate. I remember watching something on TV about the making of the movie Halloween and how it was filmed in California, so they had to ship in all the fall leaves. I found it interesting. And they did a great job, because it sure felt and looked like fall when you watch the movie.