Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Eliot

What a beautiful autumn weekend; first fall weekend of October. The morning started out with an overcast sky, but eventually the sun broke through without a drop of rain. Now the wind is making the leaves dance and tree branches swing. There is a wonderful chill in the air to show that the season has definitely changed from summer to fall.

The sugar maple tree in my backyard has begun to change its green leaves to gold and auburn. Soon the leaves will be completely changed and fallen to the ground leaving the tree bare.

Earlier today with the help of Gabriel and Emily we raked the golden, red, and yellow leaves that have already fallen to the ground just so Gabriel and Emily could run and jump in the pile of leaves – hearing them laugh and throw the leaves in the air

was priceless. 

In the back of the yard along the fence row stands a young tree that bears lots of green shell covered black walnuts. During this time of the year, the walnuts begin to fall. The fallen nuts are mainly collected for the winter by the squirrels that scamper regularly in the yard, however, Dan collects the nuts as well, not to save, but to get rid of so they are not in our yard. He puts them in his wheelbarrow and then dumps them in a field behind our house. This year, I decided that Emily and I would gather the walnuts, put them in a tub and prepare to crack open the hulls at another time. Although, I just read the hulls need to be removed when they are still green, otherwise the favor of the walnut may become strong. So, I need to rethink my idea.

Thus far, the coming of autumn has been a wonderful treat for me. I have always felt a renewal of energy in the fall. I am in awe of the vibrant colors of the changing leaves and I love the crisp coolness of the air. I know there are many who find summer to be their most perfect season, but for me it is fall.

(piece covering events on Oct. 6, 2012)