Recently I had to have some dental work done: a new crown. My dentist, Dr. Nick, is young, amiable, skilled, and even fun! When there was a pause in his work, I glanced out the October window and said, “I love fall! Do you?” Immediately he said, “Yes, I love fall too! It’s my favorite season!” Then he added, “Each year I pick out my favorite tree for that year. Two years ago it was a bright yellow tree!” And he told me exactly where the tree stood. Then he continued, “Last year I picked this brilliant red maple,” and he described where he saw it. The trees were just beginning to turn colors, so he added, “I haven’t picked out my favorite tree for this year yet.”
On the drive home, I was more attentive to the trees. It was still early in the season, so I saw only a few trees that had any color. Still, I resolved: I’m going to pick a favorite tree this year–being inspired by my dentist to do so! Do you have a favorite tree in the fall? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Some people think fall is a sad time of the year. They grieve to see the summer ending and the cold and darkness descending. Still, many of us love fall–the magic of all those colors, the donning of cozy sweaters and warm socks, football, pumpkin coffee (and pumpkin everything else too!), Thanksgiving, the general slowing down (for some!) Whether you love or hate fall, how well do you know this special season? I’ve put together a short quiz about fall. Can you answer these basic questions?
1. What causes fall? Fall happens because earth tilts away from the sun, giving either the northern or southern hemisphere less direct sunlight and cooler weather. We northerners are going into winter while our southerners are going into spring. 2. What’s the difference between fall and autumn? Most Americans call this season “fall” while the British tend to call it “autumn.” Prior to the 16th Century, people called this season “harvest.” 3. Why do the leaves turn colors? They don’t. The yellow, orange, and red pigments in leaves are always there, but green chlorophyll hides them. The chlorophyll starts to decrease as the sun weakens and the days grow shorter. This allows the beautiful colors to come forth. 4. Are squirrels dumb? Not really. They spend summers burying acorns and other seeds in preparation for the long winter. Sometimes they pretend to bury a nut if they know another animal is watching them to trick potential thieves. Also, researchers say squirrels get smarter in the fall which helps them remember better where they hid all those seeds. 5. Are pumpkins fruits or vegetables? They are fruits because they grow from flowers and contain seeds. 6. What’s the story behind carving Jack-O’-Lanterns? We have the Irish and Scottish to thank for this tradition. They first carved turnips or potatoes to scare away wandering spirits. In the 19th Century, the Irish immigrants brought their custom to the USA–only they used the native pumpkins they found here, because they were much bigger–and scarier.
There’s another reason I like fall. Many of us are probably afraid of death and dying. That’s understandable. But when the trees “die” each fall, their dying is so spectacular! They “go out” with a colorful flourish! I like to think God gives us these remarkable fall colors to ease our fears of dying. Maybe it’s God’s way of saying, “I know you are afraid of dying. But just look at my trees in the fall. Their dying is a beauty to behold, because their dying is not the end. The leaves they shed enrich the soil of the forest floor. And the falling leaves make room for new leaves in the spring. Always remember,” says God, “Death leads to new life. Trust me on this one!”
For reflection:
Do you like fall? If so, what do you like about this season? If not, what don’t you like about it?
Do you make time to enjoy fall? If so, how?
Do you have any fall traditions?
How do you feel or what do you think as you gaze at the fall foliage, walk in or rake the leaves, feel the nippy air on your face, or cozy up to a warm fire?
PS #1: Let us continue to pray for Pope Leo as he recoveries from successful surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of non-small cell lung cancer. And let us pray for all who serve us in the medical professions–especially those “unsung heroes” who devote their lives and talents to medical research.
PS #2: Last week a reader, Sister Mary Seton, offered this advice to those who are having trouble accessing our readers’ comments. She has not formally subscribed to my blog, yet she reads it every week. But she waits until Friday to google it. By then the current post comes up with the readers’comments. If you read my blog early in the week, you might want to go online later in the week to read the comments. The people who manage my blog have asked me to post it Sunday night, so I’ll post it at 9:00 PM. That way all 5,000+ subscribers should receive it on Monday. Let’s see how this goes this week.
PS: #3: Below is a picture I took Saturday morning from my second floor balcony. Here’s the rising sun (behind me) highlighting the fall trees in our woods, showing off their bright colors against the dark fall clouds…
I’m offering three videos for you today: a children’s song, a piano classic, and a Dolly Parton song. Pick the one you’d like to hear or enjoy them all–either today or during the week. All are short (about 4 mins.) and all have a fall theme:
Video #1: “Falling Leaf,” a children’s song. It invites movement for children–to twirl and spin and fall down and rest. I really enjoyed it. I though you might too–or play it for the children in your life.
Video #2: Pianist Roger Williams took the song “Falling Leaves” to the top of the Billboard chart in 1955. This is his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in January 1956. I will forever be amazed by his skill on the keys. He makes you see and feel those leaves cascadng to the ground.
Video #3: Here’s my tribute to Dolly Parton who recently passed away. It’s her tender song about her Mama’s great love shown to her through the sewing of “A Coat of Many Colors” one fall.
I welcome your comments on fall, on the reflection, on the pictures, or on the videos. Our readers (and I!) love to read your comments!
