Fall is Here

There’s a natural foods store in Boston that holds occasional workshops on health and food related topics. Usually I disregard the fliers for these, because they are for crunchy people who like to compare one variety of cilantro with another, and I can barely find my way out of a grocery bag. But since the flier said something along the lines of “Fall is here, come learn about eating fall foods,” and fall is my favorite season, I figured what the heck.

The woman leading the workshop talked about a lot of autumn foods, which of course I have since forgotten. What I still remember is how she talked about the meaning of fall as a season. Fall, she said, is a time for downshifting. It follows the summer months, a time of productivity, experimentation, and going full speed. Fall is when we start to gather in, slow down, and establish (or reestablish) a routine for the days.

The other day I was reading the blog Snapshots of Daily Life. The author, John C. Morgan, wrote a post about fall. He remarked:

Each season brings lessons for living. Fall reminds me of change and new beginnings, whether it’s back to school or adjusting to new schedules. Fall also signals the gradual loss of light after dinner, teaching me I also need to learn to let go and move on, just as leaves falling from the trees.

And of course, there are all the memories that come with autumn. As the White Stripes put it:

Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we are gonna be friends

It feels like this year, I’m noticing the arrival of fall more acutely than in some years past. Maybe it’s the steady cooling of the temperature, as opposed to past years in which it has stayed hot through early September (or even October), and then dropped off precipitously. Or maybe I just have more free time than usual, or less distractions because I’m no longer in school.

I’m seeing the light set earlier. I’m reminding myself to take a warm jacket, rather than trying to wear shorts a few more days. I’m already planning that this year, I will take a real New England leaf-peeping trip, even if it’s only for an afternoon.