Sunday Stealing: Autumn

Autumn Leaf on a Rock Photo Credit – Rick Scheibner Photography

• First of all, is autumn your favorite season? Why or why not?
  • I love the chill in the air, the smell of the leaves. the availability of crisp apples, football on a Friday night, snuggling under warm blankets on a chilly morning and pumpkin spice lattes (within reason).
• Is it ‘autumn’ or ‘fall’, to you?
  • Autumn
• What kind of weather does your area get during this season?
  • The first sign is chilly mornings with a heavy layer of dew on the car, yet the afternoon temp is still reaching the 90’s. By early October, we see the temps moderating, frost on the windshield, the leaves turning and occasional rain showers that clears the dust from the air and perfumes the air with that musky leaf smell. .
• Were you born in an autumn month?
  • No, July.
• Do you pay attention to any ‘fall fashions’?
  • I had to bust out the hoodie for the first time last Friday night watching my son play football.
• Which leaf color is your favorite?
  • I love the wonderful symphony of all the colors together… but if I have to choose, it’s the bright yellow you see in the picture above.
• Is it still fun to rake the leaves and jump in piles of them?
  • I haven’t done that in years. Mainly because I haven’t had to rake leaves in about 15 years. Living in this part of Eastern Oregon, the wind blows the leaves into a fence two counties over.
• When can you really tell that it’s autumn?
  • I’m wearing my hoodie to scrape the windows on the car and noticing the changing color of the leaves as I sip a pumpkin spice latte.
• Do you enjoy carving pumpkins?
  • I used to when the kids were small. Its one of those things I’ll have to wait until the grandkids arrive to enjoy again. 
• Do you eat the pumpkin seeds? If so, do you put any kind of flavoring on it?
  • Roasting the seeds was part of the experience. We would put Lowry’s Season Salt on them.
• Are you planning to go to a pumpkin patch this year?
  • No
• Which was your favorite Halloween costume to wear?
  • The last time I dressed for a Halloween party, I was The Wizard Tim from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
• Are you planning to go trick-or-treating? Why or why not?
  • No, now I get my holiday joy from decorating and passing out candy to the tiny zombies from around the apartment complex.
• Are there any county fairs or festivals held nearby during this time?
  • There are, but they’re not that enjoyable when one is alone.
• What is your favorite dessert for this time of year?
  • Apple Crisp
• Is your Thanksgiving Day in October or November, if you even celebrate it?
  • In the US it is celebrated in November. I have no plans other than I’m on the “on-call” schedule at work.
• If you do celebrate it, where do you usually have Thanksgiving dinner?
  • The traditional stuff… turkey, stuffing, pie, green bean casserole, etc.
• Do you remember any crafts you used to do that were autumn-themed?
  • My favorite has always been the hand print turkey.
• Are any of your favorite bands doing a fall tour this year?
  • I have no idea… and I don’t care enough to Google it.
• Which new TV show are you looking forward to this season? 
  • How I Met Your Mother is starting it’s final season and we will finally get to ‘meet the mother’. Also, Homeland will roll out their third season of a highly unlikely (hopefully) storyline.
• How does autumn typically make you feel?
  • Comfortable… cozy blankets, hot drinks, toasty comfort food.
• What color do you always associate with autumn?
  • Orange
• Is there a song that always reminds you of this season?
  • Nothing comes to mind.
• Do you have any seasonal traditions?
  • I feel like I’ve already answered this.
• Do you spend a lot of time outside during this time of the year?
  • Not since I moved into an apartment five years ago.
• How can you tell that fall is over?
  • SNOW
• What is a typical autumn outfit that you wear?
  • Whatever… covered by a hoodie.
• Describe a perfect autumn day:
  • These questions feel redundant… was it written by a lawyer?
• Do you hate it when stores start promoting Christmas early?
  • Nothing I can do about it. It is my choice of what I allow to harsh my groove. I found myself beginning to walk down an aisle at the store that had a green/red theme… I turned around and went another direction.
• What is your favorite thing about this season?
  • Yes, I am certain this was written by a lawyer… or someone on the early stages of dementia.