Autumn is arguably the most glorious time of year in our part of the world.  The leaves are at peak color, the days are warm, and the nights are cool, and we haven’t yet begun the frenetic activities of Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.  Well, I haven’t begun those holiday chores yet, though I have it on good authority that one of my sisters has already completed her Christmas shopping and even wrapped all the presents. Such an over-achiever! 

I’m all for efficiency, but let’s not push it.  It’s bad enough that the Halloween decorations come out in August, and the Christmas décor will be making an appearance on November 1.  The only holiday I’m preparing for right now is Halloween and my plans include buying enough bags of the right kinds of chocolate so that I will have enough left over for all my winter foraging. Like those bears who are getting ready to take a long nap, I need to put on my winter weight or at least have easy access to a food source. 

But Christmas shopping?  No way.  Verboten. Now is the time to drink apple cider (both cold and hot) and to indulge in some of those freshly made, still-warm apple cider donuts.  It’s time to make apple pie or apple crumble or applesauce. It’s the season to walk through the crunchy leaves and take long walks on warm afternoons down country lanes under the impossibly blue skies of October. 

Now is the perfect occasion to clear your calendar and drive up, around, and through our hills and valleys to admire the colors and soak in all those warm feelings before a few hard rainstorms bring down all the leaves and we are left with the cold, gray days of November. 

Now is the time for all of us to get out in the sunshine and make the most of these ever-shorter days. Sunset at 6:15 p.m.? Too soon!  

Time does fly, but during this beautiful season, it is imperative to pump the brakes and enjoy the days.  October is a brilliant time of year, and we need to luxuriate in its beauty.  Take some time. Breathe in that crisp air. Chomp on an apple. Open your eyes, put down your phone, and look around.  It’s beautiful around these here parts!