Fall is here. This season that has become familiar to me was once wildly new and invigorating. My ignorance made this experience so unspeakably exciting – not my ignorance of fall, but my ignorance of what would overtake fall.
The earth knows what’s coming. As the air grows cooler the landscape protests, holding brightly colored banners against the impending invasion of white and gray snow clouds.
Trees raise their weapons high, holding back the cold. Defenders stand unmoved and determined. Just when our eyes can take no more of the visual onslaught, the trees push their protest into a crescendo of color. The landscape explodes with the terrible tints of war – fiery reds and yellows and oranges. This is the heightened peak of battle.
In this season, in this moment, we close our eyes to the fight before us. We esteem the colors of fall as if they are victorious – as if no disaster will overtake them. We celebrate. We hold festivals. Carve pumpkins. Pick apples. Walk in a rainbow of leaves.
Now, as the last trace of summer sun rests it’s head on the horizon, a determined chill bullies away rain frogs and night crawlers alike. Even thunderclouds are silenced as they escaped the coming storms. Once again, old man winter wins. In just a few short months, the cycle of life must give way to his power. He won’t hold back. Soon, he will blow in, mercilessly stripping the landscape bear of battle array. Leaving the ground colored by the casualties of war. The trees will have no choice but to surrender.
If you watch closely, you will see that between festival and celebration, we have given up the fight. We know the battle, though freshly begun, is already over. Just as rabbits and reptiles seek out shelter, foxholes and dens safely below the surface, we begin the burrowing process as well. Adding layers – adding blankets – adding firewood. Preparing to wait out the long cold winter before us.
This is New England.
This is my New England.
This is my new home.
Go Patriots!
Oh wait.
Why do I let boys on this blog? WHY?!
The good news is that winter never has the final say . . .Spring always comes. Beautifully written!
In the spirit of Russ… Come on Red Soxs…
Man, I wish I was there!!!
It always baffles me when October arrives, I know it does because I am reminded when I need to renew my driver’s license because of my birthday…
(OH my cow.. I am getting older)
But California weather never changes. WE complain when we have to change from our flipflops/clogs for two months out of the year, we complain about the sprinkle we get on our windshields. Our palms trees.. well they sit there.
Pumpkins……. Imported!!!
I’m only joshing, I love fall. I love apple cider and I love pumpkin seeds between my teeth.
I just have never seen the color change dramatically or crunching at my feet.
Thank you for this beautiful potrait….
Okay, that was pretty. Very well said, my Sorta-Writer friend.
Man I cannot spell = portrait
My “write better lyrics” book tells me to use metaphors… Two weeks ago I didn’t really know what they were. My “write better lyrics” book also tells me to “show it, don’t tell it.” It also tells me to engage as many senses as possible when describing something.
So, there ya have it: A piece of creative writing homework dropped right down on this here blog.
Oh. And GO SOX!
HAPPY FALL TO YOU. A woman was asked by a coworker, “What is it like to be a Christian?” The coworker replied, “It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.” This was passed on to me by another pumpkin. I got this today at work and I don’t know it has some truth to it.
Do you want a gold star or a A+…
I have both waiting for ya!!!
I got to try this out. hmmm Now I need a subject.
@ Tracie… Awesome analogy. Can I borrow it??
Umm I mean I shared it on here cause I think it’s a good visual to think about during this season and when carving pumpkins. That’s all… thanks.
Ha ha Heidi I was writing as you were writing.
YES of course Heidi you can borrow it!
Very well written. I close my eyes and can see the fall colors as vividly as if I was standing amoung them. Ah the season of fall! It puts up a greater fight here in NC where we hardly have a winter. Then it is beautiful spring a time of new growth and rebirthing!
Ooh I was hoping for a picture. Fall in New England is the BEST.
this was wonderful! I loved it! LOVED IT!
I think I need your book.
This was beautifully written.
Thanks, Mandy.
Beautifully written!
i want to walk in the rainbow!!! =)
I wish I could experience a true season change like that.
California seasons are not very dramatic.
I would love to experience what you so beautifully described.
LET’S GO SOX!!!!
I love fall too!
Go RED SOX!
Nicely written.
Very nice.
Thanks y’all!
I was so excited about your feedback that I even made Drew read it… He’s really cheering me on and challenging me from behind the scenes right now. So he gets some serious credit for this new writing venture of mine…
Excellent post! We live near the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY. The fall foliage is breathtaking right now. You described “the battle” beautifully! This time of year is my favorite.
Have I ever mentioned how completely cool you are??
And btw – someone told me in an email the other day that we favor..can’t remember who to save my life. do you think? i can see it a little? maybe it’s the smile..:)))))
You are great, your writing is great. Just great. Your new home? Wow.
Oh how I love fall… I miss it!! If you have a good bagel shop near you… please indulge in their seasonal pumpkin-spice flavored cream cheese for me. My mouth waters just thinking about the bagel bakery that used to don the corner of my street… and during fall… walking down for bagels on Saturday morning was a weekly tradition.
You talent as a writer really shines in this post!
that might could be a big ol’ metaphor there Miss Mandy!
Nice one!
Beauty seen, tasted, heard, felt and smelt in this post. You are a fast learner and that must be a good book. Bravo my cousin!
That was the most fantastically written post… you just described every emotion about the season change that I never thought to utter. Took me out of the world I’ve always lived in and made me see it again for the first time.
Well done.
autumn makes living in new england worth it, doesn’t it?
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