Branches sway on the breeze with colorful leaves, all red, yellow and orange. As I drive I look at the forest that slowly closes in on the highway, the road slicing through an ocean of gold and ember. I get images of warm baked goods and honey. The cool air and the trees, this scene alone is enough to inspire countless daydreams.
I look out my window into the night sky, I look at the stars sparkling so bright. Wind blows in through my open window, bringing a chill and the sent of wood smoke. The neighborhood homes have their lights on, a warm orange glow that repels the darkness and the cold. It is inviting and comforting. Inside one house a family has their fireplace lit, their chimney puffing out fragrant smoke. Another house someone is baking. The smell of apple and pumpkin with various spices drifts gently from the kitchen window that’s open just slightly.
I sit in my house and think of years past. Coffee sits simmering in the kitchen, the simple scent adding the symphony of fragrances. Autumn comes, it always starts with a cold breeze out of nowhere. Then the trees change, as if by magic, from green to a variety of warm colors, almost balancing out the chill in the air. Holidays come and go. Halloween has always been such a joy, the one time of the year I feel alive, truly. Every year, no matter how old I get, I dress up and decorate the house. These days I can do little more than turn on my plastic Jack-o-lantern and light a pumpkin scented candle, but I do enjoy the thrill I see on the faces of my grand children as they visit me wearing their costumes. I always answer the door wearing my mask of the year and scare them, they start to giggle and my daughter looks at me with a disapproving half smile.
Music hums gently through the air, quiet, calming and a little sad. Various classical tunes I listen to every year. Of course when company comes by I have my “100 best Halloween songs” that I play. Though I would say its more of the 50 best, and 50 so-so Halloween songs. Besides the music, the cold air and even the baked goods, I love this season because it helps me reflect on the year so far. Some people might think the end of the year is the best time to reflect, but I prefer not to wait till the last minute to do things. Besides, it’s the autumn that puts things in perspective. Something in the air makes you look back and reflect.
When I was kid it was different. The cold air gave me energy, as did all the sugar from candy and pie. The excitement of dressing up like a pirate or superman and the thought of stuffing your face with turkey on thanksgiving. I didn’t care that summer was over and school started, summer was always too hot and made me tired. The gentle air of autumn brought life into spirit.
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