the color of fall

I will walk with a smile on my face for weeks now. Why? you may ask. Because it's autumn. Which means it's the season of autumnal colors once again. (plus, for a short while I can toss around the word "autumnal"). Start casting your eyes around as you go about your day. It's in the trees and flowers sure, but it is also draped over people's bodies. It seems a natural choice in the morning for people to gravitate towards rusts, chocolates, mossy greens and goldenrod in their clothing choices. I stood in the hallway of church on Sunday and delighted in the coordination of colors on the worshipers. Pumpkin was dotted on almost everyone, whether in a cardigan on a woman or a tie pattern around a gent's neck. It's warm and cozy. It creates cravings for pies and warm quick-breads fresh from the oven. It inspires one to curl up in a corner with a good book and a throw around the knees and toes.
The shadows of autumn cast long fingers and seem to reach in through windows to dull natural light early. We switch on lamps and push those shadows into the corners. Candles are lighted for scent and ambience. It's time to pull down soup and stew recipes from books on the top shelf. Root vegetables will start making their appearances on our tables once again. And Christmas catalogs are filling the mail basket en masse. My son is circling his heart's desire and leaving pages open so we can't miss them. The countdown from this lovely season to the next has already begun in his mind. But not mine....I love these days...