The light has taken on a different quality, especially in the past few weeks. Days are noticeably shorter, and the temperatures are cooling. As summer drew to a close, a few of our trees started to drop leaves and the sunshine is more angled as I drive to work each day. Green trees are showing some flecks of yellow, brown and orange. In Richmond, we don’t tend to have our fall foliage this early yet the dry weather and shorter days are making everything look a bit faded. Some of our neighbors have already decorated for Halloween and others like us, have begun the seasonal transition with mums on the porch steps and pansies in pots or gardens nearby. A couple of weeks ago I pulled out blown glass apples, pears and one pumpkin to decorate our mantle. I hung the Fall wreath on the front door and put up our Fall Flags.
Fall is not my favorite season, but I am trying to mindfully embrace each season as it comes. It seems a waste to spend half my life waiting for Spring and Summer, and not to fully embrace Fall and Winter. Early in September, I was invited to lunch at my bonus daughter Abby’s house. Over a lovely meal she prepared, Abby asked me what fun fall activities I had scheduled. She loves Fall, especially Halloween and has various outings and crafts planned. It had not even crossed my mind to plan fun fall things, so I give Abby credit for helping me to think about activities I enjoy this season and to take action to participate in them.
Richmond has lots of cultural festivals in the Fall and Spring, so those are on my list of to-dos. I have plans to attend the Egyptian Festival, the 43rd Street Festival, the Festival of India, the Armenian Festival and at least part of the Richmond Folk festival. Football is always part of my autumnal plans, though I will admit the game is of less interest to me than tailgating with friends or watching marching band performances. The high school where I teach has homecoming next weekend, so a game and the dance will be on my agenda. My own high school 40th reunion will be held in October. That will be yet another chance for a football game, an oyster roast and a class party. Perhaps, I need to reach out to my college friends for at least one Saturday game there, as well.
Oh, and I love firepits! We bought a load of wood from a colleague last weekend and there will be marshmallow toasting for smores, and perhaps some hot apple cider with friends and neighbors. We enjoyed a firepit last weekend at a friend’s house before our wood was delivered. It will be our turn next. Anna is visiting in early October, and she has requested we have a firepit then and she wants to go apple picking. We signed up for apple picking slots at Carter Mountain that Saturday.
All of sudden my seasonal dread is gone. I am excited for the Fall activities I have planned. Yet again, I am filled with gratitude for the gifts of friends who remind me that fun needs to be built into my life and that it is important to seize the opportunities that arise.
Mindful Musings 