RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — According to my calendar, today is the first day of autumn, though I don’t put much stock in what my calendar tells me. On the alleged “first day of spring” this year, it was already about 80 degrees outside and I was wearing a tank top and shorts.
This week I’m in jeans and a short-sleeved T-shirt. Looking back on July, I guess it feels pretty nice outside.
Autumn, though, brings a few things to look forward to:
• Back to school — Even though I’m not the one going back to school anymore, students returning to classrooms is still exciting. For some reason, school being in session brings a wealth of story ideas to my plate. I hope y’all will like some of them. The other good part about back-to-school season is back-to-school shopping. I don’t want to disclose the number of pens and notebooks I bought last month. I might go back again soon and see what’s left over …
• Pumpkins — Pumpkin might be one of my favorite flavors in the world. If it’s pumpkin, I will eat it. This includes Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks, my mother’s amazing pumpkin-cream-cheese roll, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin curry, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin seeds ... Pumpkins are apparently great for your health, too. According to howstuffworks.com, they are full of antioxidants that help fight certain cancers — especially lung cancer. They’re also not bad to look at and fun for art projects if you feel like getting your hands a little slimy.
• Halloween — Halloween is my favorite holiday. I have no reasoning for this, since it’s been my favorite holiday for about as long as I’ve been alive. I suppose you could equate me to the people putting up their Christmas trees in early November. It’s not even all about the candy; it’s just the atmosphere. I think it encourages a community atmosphere. What other time of year can you dress up and go knock on strangers’ doors to ask for treats? I’ll write more about this in October.
• Leaves — Arkansas autumns are gorgeous. Last year, my parents and I drove west for our own little “leaf tour,” and I hope we do it again this year. The view from the top of Petit Jean Mountain is probably one of my favorites in the state, and it is only intensified when leaves are sporting their fall colors.
• Fashion — Speaking of fall colors, New York Fashion Week was last week. I’ve decided the color of the season is brown, which is good because I already wear a lot of brown. Cooler weather means a switch in wardrobe. There is also an opportunity for mixing and matching layers, which is fun. No one can deny the happy feeling that comes from slipping on their favorite sweatshirt.
As for the cooler temperatures, I suppose they’re not the worst thing in the world. Sasha Cerrato, our River Valley and Ozark Edition page designer, reminds me daily that cooler temperatures are on their way. She’s got her knee-high, fuzzy socks ready. Maybe my extra pumpkin pounds will keep me just as warm.