The nip in the air

It’s that time again. After a very warm Labor Day weekend, we are back to temperatures in the 50s and 60s and that familiar nip in the air. Fall is descending.

The first color is showing in the tree tops, and the occasional bright red or orange leaf appears out of nowhere at our feet. The grass has stopped growing quite as fast, and the gardens are withering as the final blooms disappear and seed pods hang low, seeming to hunker down and take cover from the cold mornings.

The bird feeders are quickly being emptied, filling the bellies of the flocks before they migrate south. The rains seem heavier and more frequent as the ground collects water before its long winter nap.

We resist the temptation to put long pants on as long as possible, still hoping for those Indian summer days and soaking in every ray of sunshine. That familiar scent of smoke fills the air as fireplaces and wood stoves begin to be stoked. It’s a comforting smell that signals warmth and contentment.

Fall is a rather romantic time of year as we cuddle up with blankets, warm beverages, and our favorite person or pet. Football season begins and we enjoy more soups, stews, and chilis — warm comfort foods that fill us as we prepare for colder days and dwindling sunlight.

Autumn is a time to contemplate and appreciate.