Fall snuck up on me.
And my home didn’t seem fall-y. And for a moment I felt a little guilty. Somehow fall is coming even if I didn’t usher it in with pretty things the color of candy corn.
So, I made a meal in the crock pot.
I lit a fall-smelling candle.
I left the doors open even with the risk of a five-pound horse fly getting in.
I wore that pumpkin-colored scarf that Caroline gave me and accidentally left it sitting out on the coffee table. It looks like fall.
Every night we watch a few episodes of Andy Griffith with the boys and the goal is to guess the episode first. My husband usually wins. Our favorite episode? Dogs, Dogs, Dogs.
I sat on the porch with a fresh book while the boys played football in the front yard.
“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time
to sit still and watch the leaves turn.”
– Elizabeth Lawrence
Even though I have hardly any fall decorations out, even though the yellow mum my parents brought is dying of thirst and wilted, fall is here. Fall is here and I’m embracing the fact that seasons and sceneries change whether we are ready or not. And maybe that’s a good thing because if it were up to me, I would have forgotten to change the dial over to fall this year.
I think I long for things to stay the same and slow down, but when I play out my longings I realize if I got my wish, that would be cruel. My boys would be perpetual 10-year-olds and boys are made for growing up. Once again, I am so glad I’m not in charge.
Pumpkins are here just for a season. Boys are 10 years old just for a season, and oh yeah, maybe that’s why we celebrate things. So that we remember to see them before they are gone.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Fall is ticking away. I hope I remember to stop and listen to the crunching of the leaves, but how could I forget? Maybe that’s why they are crunchy in the first place.
Leave a CommentFor everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
– Ecclesiastes 3:1
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Myquilyn,
Fall is my favorite season and each year the same thing happens…I wait for it, then before I know it Fall is upon me, then in a blink of an eye it is gone. Thanks for the reminder this morning to slow down and watch the leaves turn.
Blessings to you,
Bev
Monica Sharman says
I used to think “horsefly” was a yucky word until I learned that my college boyfriend/fiance (now husband) lived on Horsefly Road. Then it became a good word to me. The summer before we were married, we wrote letters daily to each other. Every day I would write “Horsefly Road” under his name on the envelope.
I like how you watch Andy Griffith. We’ve been watching the original Lone Ranger episodes with our boys. After reading your thoughts, I think I’ll savor those times even more.
Chris Malkemes says
I live in here in Florida and miss those changing seasons, but if I’m very careful and watchful the seasons change here too. The swamp darkens, the singing birds return and that gator in my yard isn’t sunning himself as often. Yes my seasons come and go too. Think I’ll just savor my apple cinnamon candle with my pumpkin spice chie and think about setting here with you to breath in your breathe of thanksgiving.
Penny says
With each Season comes a new beauty to delight in. As life passes by, I agree that we need to stop and open our eyes as those changes take place. As for me I can’t really pick a favorite season, I love them all.
Thank-you for sharing this:”For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven.”
Penny
Joanne Peterson says
I have to drive my son to work these days for a while, and one of the best things about it is seeing the extreme brilliance of the fall colors. This year is much more intense that what I remember from other years.
I just bought a bushel of apples for eating and for applesauce, and will process pumpkin for the flavors of fall. My little boys are begging for pumpkin and apple flavored baked goods.
The leaf piles are for jumping in before thy are hauled away to compost, and the windy weather ushers in falling leaves. My boys are thrilled.
The simple pleasures are to be savored, and I get so busy that I forget to enjoy them.
Thank you for this post to remind me to drink in the pleasures with my family this season.
~Karrilee~ says
Oh I love you… and this… (and Fall!) I just pulled out a few decorations yesterday because – what? It’s already October? I’m a new Empty Nester and even though Fall is my favorite season to decorate for (or at least a close second to Christmas!) – I just wasn’t feeling the rush of doing it! But now that it is done, and there are little touches (vignettes!) of Autumn here and there, I am remembering and celebrating that Fall is all about Changes and Harvest and celebrations! I can almost feel the slowing down, and seeping in unfolding as the leaves fall and I sip on something yummy!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
This is the one season I absolutely don’t want to miss. I anticipate it all summer and enjoy and savor every nuance of autumn when it arrives!
tara schaller says
beautifully said….as i also fellowship with a local Chabad..and in the season of Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur, when we are given the opportunity to be reminded to ask for forgiveness…from our fellow man, and especially from God…i am also reminded of a realization that He gave to me many years ago…after so many behind them that were filled with stress, and unkindness, and agida and all that goes with NOT being prepared….
Christmas…my favorite holiday…also, i believe, my children’s (now in their mid and late 30’s)..and how many i have ruined by my so called unpreparedness….one Christmas night, God got my attention..it had been a WONderful Christmas..i was CLOSE to being prepared for it..and thought “NEXT year, it WILL be perfect”….”uh, My child….it will NEVER be perfect..and you will NEVER be prepared…and it will ALways be december 26th in everyone’s life, if I have not called you home…so enjoy it for what it is meant to be…a time to remember..and time to make new memories..and a time to hope for future Christmases that will never be perfect. they will be wonderful, though, because you NOW realize what the whole point of it is….ME!!!!”
and oh, how that applies to EVERYthing in our lives…..
so thank you for that reminder….the one that GOD gave me that Christmas night..so many years ago…past all the “imperfect”, unprepared, WONDerful i have had since….i, too, am not decorated for fall…but it is allllll around me…and i relish the crunching leaves…and the pine needles that fall like rain on my head…and all the wonderful smell that my one remaining dog reminds me are out there to smell!!!
life is wonderful..and if God gives me another day, then i will be ready…to enjoy ALLLLL that it has to offer….whether i am ready..or not!!!
L’chaim!!!!
tara
carla reichard says
I. Haven’t read anything that touched me more in a long time. I have a 10 year-old grandson. I am not a big fan of winter, and in the past few years I’ve gotten worse, probably due to my depression and growing older. I always liked fall and I guess I wouldn’t want to be in charge either. Your article touched my heart. Thank you and God bless.
Shauna says
What a wonderful reminder of why we have seasons…
Beth Williams says
Myquillen,
I’m no decorator. Fall is and always will be my favorite time of the year. The leaves here in Smoky mountains have already turned bright reddish orange. I just love the smell of fresh baked bread, cookies and foods.
I realize that as I age time seems to go by much faster than before, probably because I’m busier than ever. Dealing with aging dad, work stress, church involvement, etc. life is just plain busy. I wish like you that we could stop time and slow down a ton!!
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
– Ecclesiastes 3:1
God has ordained a certain season & time for every thing under heaven!!
Blessings 🙂
Marty says
Love reading your blog. Your words are so smooth and descriptive, and this post was great encouragement to me. Here in Arkansas, it is still hot and muggy. Not much like the “Fall” we read about or see in other parts of the country. Fortunately, I grew up as an Air Force brat and lived all over the United States and the world. My Mom celebrated the seasons no matter where we lived.. she made our home feel like Fall when we lived in a tropical climate, and we celebrated Spring when there was nothing Spring-like about where we lived.
I love this season, and the memories it brings to my mind. Thank you for reminding us that the seasons change whether we are ready for them or not. I don’t want to miss a thing! Let’s be ready! 🙂
Becky L says
My daughter brought mini pumpkins, now on table. I pulled out a paper doily that has colored fall leaves on it. Now under lil pumpkins. So I stopped outside our front door after back from a walk. It was dark, light on, listen. What? A leaf falling here, over there, there, there from heritage birch tree. Almost sounds scary if ya don’t know what it is. Lol! First time I’ve visited your blog but heard about your book. Thanks for inspiration!