Autumn

Ann Parker here, every-other-Thursday at the LadyKillers. Favorite season? Hands down, it's autumn. Although perhaps not the strictest sense of "autumnal equinox."

For me, the beginning of autumn is the beginning of school, a time of returning to a structured learning environment. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise to me that the start of the school year is such a strong signpost in my life. The calendar of the school year has ruled four-plus decades of my life. I still remember all those "first day of school" photos my parents took of the four of us, when I was young. I've continued the tradition with my own kids as well.

First day of school! Photo isn't me, but it could have been (just add some pink "cat eye" glasses). I think I even had the same pinafore, and I certainly had the white socks and the Peter Pan collared blouse...

Autumn is the inching toward longer nights, cooler weather, clouds, rain and leaves turning colors. (I've lived in California, so, okay, not "turning colors" the way they do back east or in the midwest, but still...)

Aspens in autumn!

My two most favorite holidays are in autumn: Halloween and Thanksgiving. Too, my first book, Silver Lies, came out in September 2003, and the newest book, Mercury's Rise, will be released this November. I'm most definitely looking forward to fall!

 

Comments

[Margaret Lucke]

I love autumn too, though it's not the same in California without the vivid red-and-gold leaf show I grew up with back East. To me it was always a time for new beginnings -- never mind January, the true New Year came in September with the start of school.

[Camille Minichino]

I guess it's no surprise that so many of us writers think of Back to School with great fondness and anticipation. It certainly was that with me, too, and still is as a teacher.

[Staci]

You certainly have a lot of wonderful memories related to fall. I can see why it's your favorite season!

[Priscilla]

Hurrah for autumn, Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving! We celebrated two of the latter because we lived in Canada so took full advantage.

[Susan C Shea]

Ann, Cat-eye glasses. Yes, that's so you! I begin to resent a future of shorter days about mid-July. In recent years, my aversion to cold and dark has intensified, but I don't know why. The promise of holidays doesn't help. But I do recall, albeit vaguely, the same kind of excitement you talk about for the beginning of the school year. New pencils, lunchbox, clothes and shoes...you're bringing it back. Lovely post.

[Ann]

Hello all,
Susan brought something up that got me thinking: It's hard to remember, but I'll bet my favorite season WAY back when was probably summer: running through sprinklers, riding around on my bike to visit friends, being thrown outside by my mother to "go play!" and not to show my face until dinner....
I always loved the first days of school and all the excitement, but trying to re-create childhood, I'm sure summer was up at the top of the list, in general. We do change our preferences, over time. :-)

[Michael A. Black]

Ann, your perspectives on autumn are interesting. It's always been my least favorite season, but you made me realize that there are some things about the fall that are nice. Nicely done.