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A gust of wind and a shower of gold and orange leaves rush to announce that autumn is in full bloom. Past-prime colors now rush by, then float down shifting in the sunlight.

I love the simplicity of the fall season and look forward to warm soups and hot muffins after the summer’s cold salads and sandwiches. I like the cold mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings. It puts me in the mood for puttering in the yard at a leisurely pace to ready the garden for bed; while in the house I’m preparing a nest by getting out the cozy blankets and throws in which to curl up with the books I’ve piled up to read.

Since the excitement of getting new school (sorry, “office”) supplies has worn off, this is the perfect time to learn something new. I might check out books from the library on topics I’m interested in or take a short online class. Also, this is the perfect time to shed old habits, let them fly off to make way for a quiet phase of thoughtful living. Not hurried with all that will soon “needs” to be done for the upcoming holidays (which would ideally be unharried holy days). Besides, New Year’s resolutions never work for me, so let’s see how Autumn resolutions do.

One of my favorite things about this time is the blessing of giving. I’m thinking of people giving extra to food pantries before winter comes and donating their excess goods to places like Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. I’m thinking of churches and others who are collecting for Operation Christmas Child to send fun-filled shoeboxes to underprivileged children. Before the hurried and harried rush for Thanksgiving or Christmas, people can take time and think “what can I do for…” or “I have extra…who can I give this to” or “where can I give my time?” It seems the Autumn temperament slows us down so we can think of others. Or, maybe it’s just me.

What is your favorite thing about autumn?