“Autumn is a second spring…..

Hello All,

I love this quote from Albert Camus – “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” I love the fact that every leaf changes to vibrant colors and showcases the landscapes in such different ways. Angie Weiland-Crosby said this so poetically – “Summer dashes off, her sundress flowing with greens; while Autumn slipped into a gown with jeweled seams.” Can’t you just visualize that? The deep reds, the majestic oranges, the vivid yellows, the brilliant burgundies. What a great picture for the change of seasons – from Summer to my favorite time of the year!

Autumn is the time of delicious soups and stews. Roasted marshmallows. Football – college and professional. Sweaters and sweatshirts. Bonfires. Pumpkin spice. (I added that one for Bob – I do not like the taste of pumpkin! Give me sweet potatoes anytime. I do love the smell of my pumpkin and cinnamon body lotion.) Hot chocolate with little mini-marshmallows. Holiday planning and preparation (from Halloween to New Year’s Eve – I am all in!) Hot apple cider with a stick of cinnamon. Cozy blankets and fuzzy slippers. Haunted houses. Hot buttered rum. Pumpkin patches – then carving pumpkins. Making pine cones into bird feeders – after you have covered the pinecones with peanut butter, sprinkle some bird seed on top! Planting bulbs for next spring. Candy corn. Candles. Tailgating. Taking scenic drives or train rides. Visiting wineries. (Well, that is great year round!) Electric blankets. Eggnog. Buying presents – and then praying you remember where you hid them. My favorite white chocolate peppermint Lindt truffles. (I probably need to be worried about how many times I have mentioned sweet food and drinks in this list!) Hay rides. Turkey and stuffing (or dressing, whatever you call it). Did I say roasted marshmallows? (Always bears repeating!)

It is also a time of reflection and thankfulness. A time to take stock. It is a time when the trees shed their leaves so the leaves can dance in the wind – and for us to shed our regrets and insecurities so we, too, can dance more freely.

Let me end with the wise and wonderful words of Winnie the Pooh – “It’s the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and best of all, leaping into leaves.”

Enjoy the first sip – the first taste – the first leap! Be thankful.

Phyl