I Love Fall

I love Fall.

Like, I really LOVE it.

I’m not one of those pumpkin spice addicts or anything (although I enjoy a pumpkin latte from time to time).

But there is just something special about the Fall season.

Partly, coming off a North Carolina summer the first day you encounter with a high temp below 80 degrees and a night in the low 60s is like a blessing sent from above.

A reminder we can carry on without feeling boiled alive— and sweating our heads off just from walking out the front door into a cauldron of irrational summer heat and humidity— and don’t get me started about those darned mosquitoes that feed upon our Southern blood like raptors.

Yes, autumn is a time of blissful renewal.

I find myself much happier and perkier… the image of Julie Andrews playing the role of Maria in the Sound of Music spinning around and around on the hilltop comes to mind.

Finally! I can breathe!

I can walk outside without being attacked by pesky insects, my head is not wet from perspiration, and my hair is better— not a hot, humid mane of frizz.

Plus, it’s the beginning of so much fun and festivity.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Halloween?

What a spooktacular event! It makes me giddy with joy.

Carving pumpkins, hayrides, ghost stories, playing dress up with your kiddos, and embracing your inner witch.

Muuuuaaah- velous!

My late 1970s, 80s upbringing was filled with whimsy and fun. So many images of Halloween pop into my mind.

My childhood neighbor, Mrs. Layla who dressed up as the Wicked Witch of the West and stirred her black pot bubbling with liquid smoke on her front porch, was one of the first times I recall being frightfully scared— yet intrigued and wanton of more eerie fun.

Thank you, Mrs. Layla for that thrill and lasting impression.

A good reminder to us all to just put on the dang costume.

Be silly.

Play the part.

Have fun.

Be “that” person.

Do it for the children.

Who will they remember? The guy in the tee-shirt handing out candy out of Tupperware or the guy dressed up as Freddy Kruger handing them candy from a hollow skull?

You decide.

But let me digress.

Fall is the window to all kinds of fun and celebration: Octoberfest, Harvest Festivals, cool nights by the fire pit roasting marshmallows, my birthday… you get the drift.

AND, it paves the way to none other than the most wonderful time of the year… THE HOLIDAYS!

Thanksgiving!

Let us count our many blessings on God’s great Earth!

Christmas!

The birthday of JESUS! Can I get an AMEN!?

Hooray!

Did I mention the changing of leaves? How gorgeous and magical! And scientifically cool that it happens each year, at the same time in perfect coordination.

That is AMAZING.

A miracle. Truly.

Leaves of every color… red, brown, purple, gold.

A sensory overload.

For those of you who are diehard summer lovers who look at fall as the time of year that leads to all the stress the holidays bring and the start of a long, cold winter— well, you might not want to read anymore because you probably just don’t get me.

That’s okay. Not everyone does.

I’m okay with that.

But, if you DO get me and are as overjoyed as I am by the autumn season’s arrival, then let us rejoice together!

We made it! It’s here.

Hallelujah!

I also want to talk about this season’s fashion. Not the kind where the ladies start showing off their new tall riding boots with the frilly boot socks peeking out of the top.

No, no.

My kind of fashion which involves long sleeve tee-shirts and well-worn jeans during the day with perhaps a quilted vest thrown on top to make a statement or rather serve as a disguise for protruding love handles.

And the nightly fashion statement of cozy athletic pants (to be worn on the sofa while sipping hot tea), sweatshirts, and fuzzy socks.

What more could you ask for, right?

Fabulous.

Fabulous Fall, I love you.

So with that I will leave you and bid you farewell.

It’s Fall, Y’all!

Enjoy!

Alison Paul Klakowicz

Author of Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.