My Five Favorite Things About November

Now that it’s the first week in November (how is that possible?!), I’ve been thinking about all the things I love about autumn. It’s my favorite season, so it’s not hard to come up with a long list of favorites. I’ll spare you the entire list, but I would like to share just five things with you that I think make fall the best time of year.

First, the foliage. The trees are turning all shades of red, orange, brown, purple, and yellow, and they’re beautiful. I snapped this photo the other day while I was walking my dog. I call it “Still turning.”

Second, I don’t know about where you live, but where I live the weather is at its best in the fall. The humidity is mostly gone, the temperatures are moderate (tomorrow it’s supposed to be in the low 70s), and the days are sunny. We get some rain, but I like rainy days. It’s my favorite time of year to walk on the beach for a couple reasons: it’s quiet and it’s not crowded. The water is still actually pretty warm.

Third, apple cider. When I was little we lived near a cider mill and I used to love to go there and pour our own cider from spigots into the jugs we brought from home. The mill had little paper cups for sampling the cider. That cider mill is still there, still in operation, though they don’t let patrons pour their own cider from spigots. I don’t know if they still have samples, either. Cider is my preferred fall beverage; I like it hot, I like it cold, I like it mulled. I like it in breads and baked goods, I like it in salad dressings. There is nothing I don’t like about cider.

Fourth, the end of daylight savings. I often tell people my favorite day of the year is the day we set our clocks back an hour because I get an extra hour of sleep. But it’s not just the extra sleep. I actually like the earlier sunset because it signals a kind of shift in focus. The beginning-of-the-year school events are over, the holiday events haven’t started yet, and we get more evenings at home. Plus, I like to turn on the fall fairy lights I have in my living room, and they can go on by five o’clock.

Fifth, fall is when I do most of my holiday shopping, and I love holiday shopping. I have moments of frustration, but mostly it’s something I thoroughly enjoy. I like the thrill of the hunt, coming up with the perfect idea, and even the wrapping. And while internet shopping makes everything easier, I like to shop at local small businesses. Especially the independent bookstores!

Fall is the season of harvest, the season that reminds us to give thanks for what we have, and the season that heralds nature’s bedtime. And it’s my favorite time of year.

What do you like about fall? What’s your favorite season?

Until next week,

Amy

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P.P.S. As I’ve written this post, I’ve had three phone calls from election candidates who are looking for my vote tomorrow. That reminds me of two more things I appreciate about fall: our right and responsibility to vote in the U.S., and the end of relentless campaign calls! Don’t forget to vote today.