October thoughts and feelings

Sit back and relax with your favorite hot beverage, forget the world, forget the summer and the winter, you are safe now.

            Rain trickled down from the overcast sky, fog floated peacefully over the land, a gentle breeze carried smells of wood smoke and baked goods. Up on the grassy hill sat a small bakery, the bakers moved quickly, unhindered by the sleepy haze of the day. The Autumn festival was fast approaching and the “Maple Hill” bakery was tasked with contributing pumpkin and maple related baked goods.

            The fog drifted down the hillside toward the heart of the town where the smell of fresh ground coffee, rain and freshly raked leaves all mixed into the air. Carts, wagons and old fashioned cars chugged along the road as pedestrians walked up and down the sidewalk. The people wore warm coats and scarves, they looked up at the shop windows as they passed by and sipped their hot coffee. The shops were bustling with Fall colors and treats of the season. The rain continued into the night, the people filed out of the shops and all headed to their homes. Warm lights began to glow from lanterns, street lamps and shop windows. The gentle rain speckled the shop windows and the raindrops reflected the light from inside the dimly lit stores.

            Night settled over the town and the sounds of owls in the distant forest, the light tapping of rain on the rooftops and the crackling of a wood fire could be heard in the town. Lights in the distance bobbed and shook as they traveled down the road leading out of the town. Fog cleared away to reveal the lights were lamps attached to a horse drawn carriage. The carriage was black and glistening with rain water, the carriage driver wore a long heavy coat, black leather cloves, boots and a wide brimmed hat. He sank down into his coat, pushing his neck more into his collar, like a bird pushing their head into their feathery body to stay warm. The horse was chestnut brown with a white diamond shape on its head. It had plane black leather straps attaching it to the carriage and overall was a healthy horse that wasn’t bothered by rain or chilly winds.

            The carriage rode out of the town and along the countryside. The road twisted along through a path that cut through wild country. To the right of the path was a slope leading down to a valley and a large field of green grass turning yellowish for the season. The sun began to rise over the field, its golden rays shining down and reflecting against the mist and the morning dew. The grass swayed gently in the breeze and the rain gave way to sun. The sunlight made the world sparkle and shine but since it was Fall the air stayed cool and pleasant. The morning air was fresh and clean, it awoke the spirit and invigorated the mind.

            Along the same country road, while the grassy field shined bright with swaying golden grass on the right, to the left was the base of a sturdy and ancient hillside. The hill stood overlooking the town and the surrounding forest. Old stone relics littered the cliff peaks, old stones from another age. The trees that lined the hillside were bright with autumn colors. The cool air had arrived and made the trees blush red and ignite with orange and yellow. This hill was almost the size of a mountain and was too big for anyone to live on but the sturdiest among the village would climb the hill and marvel at the view below. Standing on the top of the hill would let someone see the autumn forests and valleys for miles. An ocean of auburn, ochre and amber, colors of the fall all swaying and dancing like a field on fire. Surrounded by stone relics and staring at an amazing view, someone might wonder if the ancient people believed their hill was the highest or most important point in their small world.

            The world goes on though and while we all hate to leave the hillside and the sleepy town, we all must continue. Time flows like a river, taking us past many sights and experiences, we can only hope to truly enjoy these experiences while the sights are still visible. The road, not the river, takes us further into the world. This is when things get darker and maybe slightly more fun.

            The road twisted and turned, it flowed past a small village. This village is where the carriage driver stopped, but this is not where we will stop. The road took us further down into the forest, a forest of dark green pines, mossy oaks and sleeping beasts. The afternoon light was barely visible through the thick canopy of treetops. The fog was heavier and the sound of roaming creatures could be heard. The forest was dark and full of terrors but it was still day and the creatures of the night were asleep, dreaming of their next kill. The forest stretched on but in the distance was a glowing orange light, dull but distinct. The light was alluring and so it was followed. The light became clearer and more lights joined in. All the lights were floating in the air like spirits in the afterlife.

            The lights seemed to float in the darkness until it was revealed they were orange pumpkin lights hung from a solitary maple tree. A bright orange and red maple tree adorned with large pumpkin shaped lights. Each light had a tiny flame burning inside. The flames caste pumpkin shaped shadows out into the forest. At the base of the tree was a stone gargoyle with a wildly uncomfortable smile and its arms pointing to the right. To the right was a path leading out of the thick pine tree forest. The haze of the forest parted near the exit of the forest and the path led out toward a lively city full of bright orange, purple and green lights, dark colors and decorated with Jack-O-Lanterns. The city was full of carriages, old cars and people. The people wore black cloaks, gothic dresses, and bright green or orange with strange hats. Overall they seemed a little odd.

            The night fell over the city giving emphasis on the darkness of the city and the brightness of the lights. The warmth felt in the homes and cafes pushed back the creeping cold of the approaching season. This city was full of magic and mystery. It was they type of city where adventure or certain death could be waiting in alleys and pathways. From that point the path stretched on but we will go no further.

            It is not time to tell the story of the places beyond and the time has already passed for stories of what came first. This was not a story of villains or heroes, it was a story of a land and the sights inside of it. It was a story of nature, humanity, and pizza burps.