Why I Love Autumn

***Author’s note:  Sorry I have been away from my blog for so long, but life with a toddler and a hurricane kind of derailed any plans I had this summer to write.***

Although each season holds its own charms, I have always particularly loved autumn.  This is a bit ironic since I am from San Diego where, as my husband would say, we only have two seasons, summer and almost summer.  However, autumn has always made me feel happy, like there are good times to come.

-Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a nerd.  The first reason I have always loved autumn is the start of the school year.  I loved school, and the promise of a new year, with new subjects and new experiences.  I still feel an excitement when I go to Target and see the bins and shelves stocked with crisp white paper, organizing binders, and new pens, pencils and markers. 

-I am not a shorts, tank top, bathing suit girl.  When autumn comes I feel more comfortable in jeans, sweaters, coats.  My favorite moment is when I step outside, feel the coolness in the air and have to go back in for a sweater! 

-Now that I live in an area with “real” seasons, another reason to love autumn is the change in weather and the colors of the leaves before they fall off of the trees.  There’s a crispness to the air that makes it fun to be outside without the humidity and bugs of summer or the freezing conditions of winter.  And, bonus, you can have hot chocolate or hot apple cider when you come back inside!

-Halloween.  It is a great holiday!  I have loved scary movies from the time I was a little kid and my aunt would make me watch A Nightmare on Elm Street when she babysat me, to now when I got freaked out by Paranormal Activity.  There is something about autumn that makes you want to curl up with a good scary movie.  And I am not talking about the uber violent, ultra realistic movies like Hostel.  I am talking about old classics like Dracula, the original House of Wax with Vincent Price, or Frankenstein.  Even newer movies like my favorite Halloween, the first Scream, or a suspenseful, fun Sleepy Hollow.  Scary, or supernatural books are also a good read this time of year.  This is when I pull my Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton books off of the shelves for a re- read.   And, now that I am a mom, I get to find cute costumes for Ella, and this year she might be old enough to walk around the neighborhood.  Last year she was the cutest Ladybug I ever saw!

-Football season starts in autumn, and although I never thought I would be, I am a fan.  As I am writing this I am watching the Broncos/ Raiders game; as a die hard San Diego Chargers fan I am rooting AGAINST the Raiders.  There’s a sordid history relating to my extreme dislike of the Raiders, but that’s a story for another time.

-Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  I could say it’s because of the turkey, or the Pumpkin Pie Cake, or the cranberry sauce…but really it’s the memories.  Thanksgiving was always my grandma’s favorite holiday and she made it so special for the whole family and we had some of the best times.  In recent years the family has gotten bigger and we still had some great times around the Thanksgiving table.  Now that I am living away from my extended family with my own small family, we are starting some of our own traditions and making some great memories together.

All in all, autumn is a fun time of year that I truly appreciate.  We are planning to enjoy lots of activities like taking Ella to a pumpkin patch this year, and maybe going to New England to see the colorful leaves.  I hope you all take just a moment to stand outside and take a deep breath of crisp, autumn air and reflect on the beauty around you.  Oh, and GO CHARGERS!!!!!

Until next time…

Paulene