“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize.”
George Eliot
My favorite season is almost here! Autumn, fall, harvest – call it what you want – I’m all in!
For me, autumn symbolizes new beginnings. Yes, I know it’s not normally recognized as such, but hear me out. It’s when the new school year begins and everyone gets a fresh start. There are new teachers, new classmates, new notebooks new textbooks, even new crayons! Add in musical auditions and athletic tryouts, and we have a clean slate for everyone.
Also, there is a general feeling of change in the air. Practically overnight we are released from hot, muggy days and the air takes on an earthy sweet smell of decaying leaves and foliage.
What is so great about early autumn here on the St Lawrence River in the north country of New York State? Let me break it down for you.
Falling Leaves
The air is crisp and cool. Humidity is fading fast. Now is the best time to take long walks without getting overheated. We are starting to see roadside stands popping up all over, filled with pumpkins and gourdes. And, of course, the leaves are starting to fall!
Summer blooms are yielding to splatters of gold, orange and brick red. Many people think the turning of the leaves in fall are due to the colder temperatures. However, the decreasing number of daylight hours actually signals the colorful transition.
The climate, to include sun exposure and moisture, greatly affects the colors intensity of the autumn leaves; but the increase in nighttime hours is what actually starts the process at the same time each year.
Indoor Coziness
Windows can be open all day and night!
Food takes on a whole new level of heartiness. Now that the evenings are cooling down, we’ve already started to incorporate wholesome stews and soups for our dinners. Tonight my husband served an Italian meatball soup!
We have already started planning for our annual harvest meal celebration, which we will host in late October.
Celebrate!
Autumn fits in perfectly with my peaceful lifestyle. I celebrate each day as if it were to be my last. And there’s nothing like sitting out on the deck overlooking the mighty river that separates us with Canada with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. 🍷
As the evening temperatures start to drop, riverside campfires are a must!
I’m particularly happy that the mosquito population is dwindling. And sometimes, even this early in September, a light sweater helps to take the chill off one’s shoulders.
I hope you will cherish the upcoming seasonal change like I do. Also, for those of you living in the Southern Hemisphere, I wish you a joyous springtime!
Thank you for reading! – Barb, the River Blogger (Btrb)
Feel free to reblog or share anything I post. I welcome all comments and discussion.
The River Blogger 
Autumn for me in blandly hot South Florida means getting on the highways for our next road trip to seek out places like yours where we can experience subtle joys of autumn that you express.
Just like you, this is my favorite time of the year. Thanks for the beautiful post.
This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful season, punctuated by the sun’s exclamation mark in your last photo! 😊
Thank you! 🍁
Thank you!
Fall is a concept I remember from my childhood, but I no longer experience it unless we plan a leaf-peeping trip north. There are subtle changes to the temperature in South Florida, and we do our best to ‘pretend’ fall as much as possible with interior decorations, wearing sweaters, and sipping hot cider (or a glass of Cabernet) by a fire pit when the mood is right. Nevertheless, it is a welcome change from our hot/humid summer.
I will be wishing I had your weather, in January – March! Lol!
It’s springtime here down under, but I love imagining the autumn colours in your part of the world!
Thank you! Enjoy your springtime weather!
I LOVE fall, my favorite season, I also love everything about it. When I lived in upstate NY the fall was the most beautiful, the smell, the colors, the trees, the pumpkin pies, love it. Happy Fall xo
Thank you! Happy fall to you! 🍁
I love the fall!
🐾🐾There’s Loki 🐾🐾