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Fall in Love with Fall
- Paula Green
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Paula Green
“Winter is an etching, spring is a watercolor, summer an oil painting and
autumn a mosaic of them all.” ~ Stanley Horowitz
As summer fades, the arrival of harvest time, cooler weather, football, pumpkins, apple pie, and bonfires signals the start of fall. Each brings its own seasonal charm.
Alongside seasonal celebrations, even the name sparks debate. Both 'fall' and 'autumn' are used in the United States, with 'fall' more common here and 'autumn' favored in the United Kingdom. In the Northern Hemisphere, fall typically spans from late September to late December; in the Southern Hemisphere, it occurs from late March to late June. This year, fall begins on September 22.
If you’re ready for cooler air, fall is perfect. As days shorten, it becomes an ideal time for hiking, camping, or leisurely walks. Cooler nights and dropping temperatures intensify vibrant colors, making the scenery breathtaking. Take a drive and enjoy the stunning orange, yellow, and red foliage.
Meanwhile, for those who prefer staying near home, fall encourages gathering by the fire pit or bonfire for s’mores or mountain pies. Hot toddies offer an extra dose of autumn warmth and comfort.
At the same time, autumn is harvesting time for many fruits and vegetables, especially apples and pumpkins. Apple picking is a great family activity—support local farms and pick your own apples and pumpkins. Take hayrides and use the fresh pickings for pies, or sip on a warm pumpkin latte.
With all these activities, fall’s arrival also brings a craving for comfort food. As the weather cools, many people look forward to warm, hearty dishes that evoke a sense of coziness and satisfaction. Soups, stews, casseroles, and chili are perfect for satisfying hunger.
To complement these meals, another palatable celebration unique to this time of year is Oktoberfest, which begins in the second-to-last week of September and concludes on the first Sunday in October. Enjoy ethnic dining with German cuisine and Oktoberfest brew.
As we savor these seasonal delights, our clothing choices also change with the weather. When autumn arrives, we pack away the shorts, flip-flops, and swimwear in favor of layers of fashion. It is a nice change when you can finally don comfortable hoodies and sweaters.
Just as wardrobes transform, fall delights sports fans, too. Football, the top U.S. sport, officially kicks off. Enjoy NFL, college, and high school games as soccer is in full swing and the World Series wraps up baseball season.
Adding to the excitement, autumn also ushers in a few festive holidays. Halloween is extremely popular among children and adults alike. As soon as costumes are packed away, turkey time rolls around, and Thanksgiving winds down the fall celebrations.
After this year’s hot and rainy summer, why not look back and welcome autumn with open arms? Relish the season’s beauty and fall in love with fall!