Tuesday, October 10, 2017

OCTOBER GAVE A PARTY

Two of the FL GRANDS at last year's paint-party.   Too far away now, but we're just so grateful that they made it through all the winds and waters.

October gave a party,
The leaves by hundreds came;
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet
And everything was grand;
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
-----------------George Cooper

I’ve always thought that the year should start in October instead of January. January just grabs ahold of you in an icy grip, keeping you befuddled with the aftermaths of the holidays and all that work and cooking and traveling and celebrating. January is a Pipsissewah of a month, a cold-in-the-head, car-won’t-start time of year, with grumpy people with their heads down struggling against wind and umbrella and ice, the mere feat of standing erect on skiddish streets a burden and a task.


But OCTOBER, now---October is just the best time of year there is, with the golden days and the whish of leaves and the turnings, turnings. The leaves turn and the birds turn South and the time turns from shorts and sandals to comfortable sweats and that favorite old sweater, taken out for the first time in two seasons, snugged on in a cool twilight, as the savory scent of something-in-the-oven wafts out in welcome.

Just walking around outside is a marvel---the air feels silky on your skin and the sun lights gently upon your hair, with a different scent, a different FEEL to everything---better and better as the season progresses. The sight of the harvesting, the change in the produce of the markets, the farmstands offering the crisp fruits and the cider and the huge orange bulk of pumpkns and gourds---we just went to one today, picking out two more cushion-mums, a loaf of wheat bread, six apples, and a watermelon-green-striped gourd like a bashful goose.




Somewhere a long time ago, I read a quote something like, “If I have but one month left to live, let it be October.” I would echo that---it’s always been my favorite time of year, with the air and the light and the rustle of leaves and just the OCTOBERNESS of it. Not because it’s cooler after the summer heat (which is important), not because it ushers in the Holiday Season (also a good thing), and not because of anything in particular which happens or has happened then (though we DO like Halloween).

That’s not it. The month has a personality of its own; it stands on its own, unlike any other time, and I’d know it with my eyes closed. There’s a huge daily enjoyment to the month, with all the sheer exuberance of the color and the brightness---you can just BE in the moments of it, and just enjoy. A simple walk around the neighborhood takes on a different slant---swishing your feet through the leaves, or seeing the swirls of leaves as they drift down like snow, or admiring the Autumn blooms and decorations on the neighbors’ houses and lawns.

Things to do the first few days of October:

Paint Halloween Houses with Sweetpea, her Mama and Caro. (check.  This past Sunday afternoon)

Visit the famous HORTON’S in Tipton to enjoy all their Fall regalia.

Bake a Bundt cake---a beautiful golden-yellow one, fragrant with vanilla and cinnamon.

Decorate for FALL.  (Does three velvet pumpkins on a windowsill count?)


Simmer this beautiful Corned Beef for several hours in its tangy brine, then add in carrots, baby potatoes and wedges of tender cabbage---serve just at twilight on a cool night. It would be enough just to enjoy aura and the scent all day---there’s a satisfaction and a contemplation to having something savory going for supper, and knowing that it will take time and that things are progressing as they should.

There are lots more, and I'd LOVE to hear yours!

8 comments:

  1. Oh Racheld, you've got me wanting to take a walk through the woods and kick up leaves with my toes, then come back home and eat pumpkin pie! I love fall and only decorate my mantle and put a wreath of fall leaves on the front door. I don't "do" Halloween, so no décor there. My children are grown and my grandchildren are teenagers that think they're grown so need to.
    Have a great day!

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  2. What a good idea, October gets my vote for the beginning of the year! Such a beautiful time of year. I look forward to tarting up the house with a few pumpkins and gourds and then onto apple pie baking. Apples are just perfect this time of year.

    Enjoy pecking at your "to do" list. It all sounds terribly cozy.

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  3. I am right there with you. October is my favorite month of the year, too, followed closely by September which seems to be a footstep towards October.
    I love that poem and have read it many times over the years.

    I have a saying-Autumn is the season for me- where my heart and soul lie content--where I belong. I have autumn in my heart.

    I hope you have a blessed day, Rachel. xo Diana

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  4. Rachel, So glad to see Horton's mentioned on your blog, thank you. You would love the store and owners. October is a beautiful month....I want it to linger, to last longer than 31 days.I hope you are loving it. Blessings to all, xoxo, Susie

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  5. Let it be October...

    :)

    I like that.

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  6. September is my favorite month, but October is a close second. To me the year always starts in September. I suppose because that is when I went back to school. I love everything about fall.

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  7. I love October, too. Perfect temperatures, the leaves, etc. But I always thought that the year should begin in September, with school starting and the weather just beginning to change.

    I Googled Horton’s. Oh, my dear! That is our kind of place, no??? What a wonderland.

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  8. Your description of October’s endeared this to my heart. Loved the poem about October party.

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