My Turn: Ah, falling for autumn
Rake, Leaf, Autumn, Gardening, Isolated, Nobody, Backgrounds, Black, Copy Space, Vibrant Color, Multi Colored, Yellow . For Judi Yuen ( iStock) Credit: iStock Photo/
Fall has always been a special time for me. While most people lament the raking of endless falling leaves, I look forward to seeing the brightly colored foliage displayed against my fading lawn. While others are sorry to see their annuals fade and die, I enjoy planting the bulbs that will beautify my garden in the spring.
The fading blooms of my roses remind me they will be back again in all their glory in late spring. The brisk autumn breezes remind me that the oppressive heat of the summer is gone, along with the high bills for our air conditioners.
While others say goodbye to summer, I welcome Indian summer.
Most engaged young ladies want to be married in June, but I wanted a fall wedding. I knew it would be cool enough for long, elegant, pointed sleeves for me (we seemed to have had more style choices back then), and little chance of my bridesmaids wilting from the heat while taking pictures.
My husband and I were married at the chapel at Fordham University, where we had always enjoyed crunching through the leaves on our way to fall classes. The first poem I ever wrote was dedicated to the falling leaves, so inspired was I by the painter's palette of colors Mother Nature bestows on us each year at this time.
The cooling temperature invites me to make soups from scratch, apple and pumpkin pies, and heat up cider. I take out the flannel nightgowns and colorful sweaters, and exchange the summer blankets for the warmer comforters.
With the arrival of the autumnal equinox, I start to think about Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and decorating my front yard, doors and windows for each holiday. For me, autumn is a true harbinger of better times and new memories in the making. What is there not to like about this glorious season? -- Diane C. Hunter, Plainview
