This one into the fall, and I can feel my skin again. There was a briskness outside today, and instead of feeling encased in stagnant heat, the chill brought an awareness to my arms and my nose. The cool air went down smoothly into my lungs; I smelled the fallen leaves, I thought about playgrounds. There are delicate sheets of intricate webs hanging from tree limbs to slumped-over sunflowers, traps for the last of the flies. Around this corner there is no need for protective shade from heat or structure from harsh rain, darkness is creeping into my evenings. The cinnamon is left out, the oven has been busy. I resurrected the pumpkin sweater from the depths of my closet, and I looked carefully at wool socks while out shopping, but a new pair can wait. Everything can wait after turning the corner. If we don’t stop to savor the orange glow of fall we wont be properly tempered for winter and might freeze to death. Fall is like the last few bites of melted ice cream you really dig for at the bottom of the bowl, when it’s over all you can hope for is another one.
The peach tree leaves are turning yellow, and I wish I could count them as they fall a bit more each day. This week I’ll find myself decked out in flannel, raking up those leaves into a pile for the raised beds. Those are the moments when I feel like I’m in magazine photos, advertising for the newest outdoor brand. I might even pose for my own entertainment, maybe toss leaves into the air and laugh. Can you remember the last time you dove into a pile of leaves? I was always convinced there might be a snake hiding out among the swirling patterns, I was a cautious child. I insisted the leaves be stuffed into those plastic orange bags that had jack o lantern faces on them. Whimsy.
Finally the magic, and mystic joys come to life. A time we can believe Mr. Chicken after spending the night in that “haunted house.” Don Knots was a brilliant actor… the gardening sheers and the blood! Bless his heart, a hero in the end. I’m not a fan of horror films but I do have a checklist of movies I enjoy every year. For a complete list of my October watch list send me an email, I would love to share.
This is a good time to build your indoor nest, drag out the electric blanket, unfold old quilts hidden in trunks, reach for those house shoes that have spent months hiding under the bed. Hats and scarves can wait of course, snow is a few weeks out and besides, let’s not get in a hurry. The sky is changing too, the sun doesn’t climb as high anymore and shadows grow long. My patience seems to grow longer this time of year too, what’s the fuss of being in a rush when there are stacks of fodder shock and dancing scarecrows to admire? Nevertheless the squirrels are in a mighty rush to prepare for winter, they are building nests too, and their busy scurrying is curious to watch. There are folks who keep them fed at our own 47 acre Central Park, the spoiled little creatures carry mouthfuls of peanuts and on occasion, french fries.
The slanted sunlight on the purple mums sends my soul into orbit, circling from one beautiful thing to another. A carpet of leaves, the full harvest moon, a decorated hearth, fresh pumpkin flesh scattered for chickens, hot coals, hot chocolate, plumes of rising smoke, Indian corn, candy wrappers, plaid bows, little candle flames, and buckets of gourds.
Dearest reader, may you be fulfilled with the rich aromas and sensations of fall, address a letter to The Great Pumpkin, and dip your apples into as much caramel as a slice can hold on to.
Thank you for reading, and drop me a line sometime, I DO love to chat!
justicesarah67@yahoo.com
The Mint Patch Monologue 