Pumpkins and Pencils

I love fall but who doesn’t? Seriously, have you ever met someone who doesn’t love the changing of the seasons from the oppressive heat of summer to the cooling breezes of fall? Is there anyone who doesn’t love a good back-to-school sale or the kick-off of their favorite college football team? No, you have not met any of these people because fall is a magical time with the arrival of pumpkins, brand new school supplies, college football, and all the really good holidays!

In my favorite movie - You’ve Got Mail - an oldie but a goodie - Joe Fox states that fall makes him want to buy school supplies and a “bouquet of newly sharpened pencils.” I agree, Joe Fox, because I feel the exact same way! I still remember the delight of going to Kmart, as a child, and getting brand new Crayola crayons, pencils and a pencil box, a new red plaid lunch box with a leaky thermos and thinking that this was the best day ever! And it was!

Fall gives me a renewed sense of hope and anticipation of the holidays, happiness for all the comforting meals and mugs of warm beverages, and good humid-free hair for several months. For a lifelong southerner it is a glorious time of year - I am no longer sweating just going to the mailbox, I am no longer slathering on sunscreen, I am no longer swatting at every mosquito and no-see-um, and I am no longer worried about the state of my cellulite legs because my swimsuits are packed away.

What am I doing instead? Enjoying life without the sweat or bugs and trading in my swimsuits and shorts for cozy sweaters. Drinking pumpkin spice lattes and watching all-night Hallmark movie marathons by the fireplace. It is a special time with family and friends.

Every fall I am also participating in a slice of Americana that I love: fall festivals! Elementary schools holding festivals with old-fashioned fishing ponds, cake walks, and caramel apples! Churches, of every variety, holding food festivals serving up baklava and spanakopita, spaghetti dinners, cheesecakes and knishes. It is delicious and I eat it all every fall! I love the coming together of a community to simply share in fun activities, raise money to help the community, and enjoy the comfort and company of neighbors and friends.

And the holidays …. My, oh, my the fall holidays are spectacular!

August, in my part of the world, is when it all begins with back-to-school sales and aisles filled with freshly sharpened pencils, backpacks covered with the latest super heroes, new pointy crayons, notebooks, and paper. This is quickly followed, in September, by the first fall day-off: Labor Day. Growing up, we used Labor Day as the final weekend for bar-be-cues, beach trips, and playing outside until dark. It was always the last hurrah of summer!

October, of course, is when the stores fill up with pumpkins and scarecrows, sweaters and boots, and loads and loads of my favorite food group - Halloween candy! I cannot explain why but I enjoy small candy bars more than full-size ones, I just do! We like simple traditions so every Halloween night we roast hot dogs and eat junk food. I make no excuses for our behavior.

November is for Thanksgiving and a gathering of my family at my brother and sis-in-laws house that includes all the joys of life: family, fun, food, food, food, and football! Life is good and we are more than grateful for one another and all we have in life! It is an easy holiday where we get to do the things we love with the people we love.

I hope this fall you and your loved ones get to enjoy every minute of the season!

* Come back in a few weeks for a post on all the glories and deliciousness that is Christmas!