Somehow this didn't seem to fit in "Annoyed At Thread Drift".

[shouldazagged]

So many people find autumn sad because to them the falling leaves signify things dying. That's not how I see it. To me, the trees are simply undressing for bed, preparing for a peaceful winter sleep--still completely alive, but resting.

In old age the cold, especially a damp chill, gets into my bones and hurts. Wet cold or bitter wind make breathing more of a challenge. Both of these are conditions I deal with all year, but winter deepens them on many days.

Still, wintertime to me is peaceful and hopeful if I consider it through Nature's ancient eyes. Creation is both resting and toughening, getting ready to produce another wonderful spring. Even when I hurt and can't keep my feet and hands warm, even when the wind takes my breath as I walk my dog, I enjoy the pewter skies and the fine shapes of naked trees.

I have to look at it that way, so that I feel hope and peace instead of fear and sadness.

I can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't have all four seasons. Big wheel keeps on turning, and I ride it and admire the way it moves.

Seasons, all the seasons, are blessings.

And now I'm through being serious for the evening.

[soFlaNative]

God Bless ya, Zag.

[DeathGrip]

I love our winter here. But I miss the four seasons I had in Atlanta as a kid.

A little coolness, a little color and you knew Christmas was coming. If we were lucky some snow but that usually came after Christmas.

It is neat to have a BBQ on Christmas while wearing shorts and a tee though. My wife and I went to the beach for lunch a couple of times for Christmas just to get away from the madness.

[finesse_r]

Fall is my favorite season of all and the color changes can be brilliant and beautiful.

[Onomea]

I think I have posted this before, but it seems apt:

For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself,
Though in another dress,
And as the evening twighlight fades away,
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

[Mule Packer]

Those are wise words, Zag.

I love fall, for lots of reasons.

I love it because I'm able to put in a full day's work outside without having to come indoors around 11:00 a.m. exhausted from the heat. The mornings are crisp and the days cool.

I love putting the big vegetable garden "to bed," getting rid of the old corn stalks and tomato vines, plowing things under, and then covering it all with a thick layer of manure so nutrients will be absorbed into the soil all winter long.

Believe it or not, another reason I love fall is because it's the time I load my woodshed for next winter. Not this coming winter, but next winter, allowing the green wood to season for one full year before it goes into the old wood stove. I've always grown up with the attitude that if your woodshed is full, you're rich. And, if you've stored wood for a year in advance, you're even richer. I'm still simple enough to believe that.

I love drying apples from the orchard, or having our kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews over for a big cider pressing from the hundred-year-old cider press that's been lovingly cared for in our family for decades.

I love the cool days and the chilly nights where I can slip into a well-broken-in soft flannel shirt and a pair of sheepskin slippers.

I love the smells of falls. I love being able to throw a log on the fire and sit in my great-grandfather's rocking chair while I touch up a few favorite knives.

I love listening to the farm house creak and quietly moan when the wind blows through the maples and spruces that surround the place.

Maybe I love fall because of some ancient instinct that tells me I'm preparing for winter, and perhaps gives me some small sense of satisfaction knowing that things will be okay. After all, the woodshed is full, the pantry shelves are lined again with home-canned fruits and vegetables, there's plenty of hay in the barn, and I can look forward to winter where all I'll have to do is sit by the fire with a good book and watch the snow pile up outside the window.

Anyway, I've rambled on long enough, but like you, Zag, I feel very blessed to have seasons.

[joeintexas]

Thanks zag and mule, just one of those days when a little positive posting was needed. Much appreciated. With the aches and pains we tend to gather as we weather more years it's easy to have a negative day every so often, thanks for reminding us there's always a positive point of view.

[Kanewpadle]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

So many people find autumn sad because to them the falling leaves signify things dying. That's not how I see it. To me, the trees are simply undressing for bed, preparing for a peaceful winter sleep--still completely alive, but resting.

In old age the cold, especially a damp chill, gets into my bones and hurts. Wet cold or bitter wind make breathing more of a challenge. Both of these are conditions I deal with all year, but winter deepens them on many days.

Still, wintertime to me is peaceful and hopeful if I consider it through Nature's ancient eyes. Creation is both resting and toughening, getting ready to produce another wonderful spring. Even when I hurt and can't keep my feet and hands warm, even when the wind takes my breath as I walk my dog, I enjoy the pewter skies and the fine shapes of naked trees.

I have to look at it that way, so that I feel hope and peace instead of fear and sadness.

I can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't have all four seasons. Big wheel keeps on turning, and I ride it and admire the way it moves.

Seasons, all the seasons, are blessings.

And now I'm through being serious for the evening.

When you've reached the ripe old age that you have and experienced just about every curve life can throw at you, you can go one of two ways. Be a bitter old man that hates everything and everyone or be happy and count your blessings.

Glad you chose the latter.

[gregintenn]

Fall......time for deer season, football, chili, good fishing, and pretty leaves. No more sweating, mowing grass, chiggers, or ticks.

I love me some fall!!!

[MasterTech1960]

Fall, to me , is the best time of the year. One good thing about Maryland , well at least Western Maryland , we get to see all the colors in the changing of the leaves . When My wife and I were trying to pick a wedding date we knew it would be in the fall. On October 23rd it will have been 33 years ago. God bless Her , I don't know how she has put up with me that long. Lucky I guess.

[Jinglebob]

It’s not often that we enjoy a full cycle of the seasons in the area of Texas where I live. Today the temperature reached 93 degrees and tomorrow, and the week ahead, is forecast to be even hotter. When we have this type of weather pattern it’s not unreasonable to wake up one morning to discover that you’ve missed autumn and it’s now winter.

[pawngal]

I too love fall much like Zagged said, the world gives a show of color before going into winter's sleep only to be re-awakened again in the spring. Fall is a time for gathering life's blessings and giving thanks.

Today here in NW Iowa was a bonus day we don't often see this time of year. 85 degrees, motorcycles, convertibles and lots of boats on the lakes. Everyone was enjoying outdoor activities knowing it might be the last time until spring. Today was a true blessing and on a Sunday so many could enjoy it. I like having 4 seasons even though I bitch a lot about winter.

[snubbyfan]

That's why I like living out here in the mountains of West Virginia. All four seasons have their own unique beauty.
Yeah, the cold affects my neuropathy and makes it harder to get around but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[carpriver]

Fall is my favorite time of the year, I am lucky to live in Michigan and have the two seasons winter and 6 weeks of bad snowmobiling. Fall is the twilight of the year the reds, yellows, oranges, and greens of the evergreens. Winter is a time of rest, with spring being the re-birth of live, Summer bring us more growth. The seasons are is a cycle of life.

[Kanewpadle]

I like fall because it's cooler. But not too cold.

[Hillbilly77]

I love autumn (and not just because of deer season).
I love the changing leaves and the scenery.


The view from my living room window:

[LMWIS]

I'm with you on the fall part. The colours, the warm days and cool evenings are a relief after the dog days of summer. Life takes on a slower pace and simple preparations for the winter (like stacking wood) yield a deep satisfaction. I don't know the reason, but the fall light takes on a picture postcard quality and everything seems more vibrant.

The first snowfall is anticipated too, because everything looks so clean wrapped in a blanket of white. Christmas needs snow!

After that, the continuous cold that could crack an engine block has me crying for spring. Maybe I'm missing something...,

[Arik]

I would say my absolute 2 favorite seasons are winter and summer. They are complete opposites of each other and that's what I like about it. Just when one is getting a little too old here comes the other. However, because they are completely opposite I get annoyed with them pretty quickly. Summer is nice....no need to layer up, bbq, everything has color, sun shines, days are long but then the humidity becomes annoying. Can't even take your dog for a walk without sweating 5 gallons, AC on full blast 24/7. Oh look another bbq invitation. ...haven't been to one in 3 days....and it's the same people all over. What can you talk about that you didn't already cover at the last 12 get togethers? Kinda getting tired of drinking beers every weekend. Getting tired of sweating constantly from the humidity.
Then there's winter. Crisp clean air, a refreshing chill in the air, white beautiful snow covering the landscape. A nice snifter glass of your favorite hard liquor with dinner to warm you up from the inside and relax after being in and out of the cold all day. A nice fire to warm up. But once winter is in full swing all that gets old quick. More snow to shovel. Again wake up an hour early to shovel ...again. roads are barely plowed. Drivers are still stuck in the summer driving mode playing bumper cars and spin outs. More salt to buy freezing rain, ice, black ice, heavy winds that cut to the bone. Having to take 5 minutes to get dressed in layers only to walk the dog for 2 minutes and then get undressed again. Snow related traffic, wake up in the dark, come home in the dark....the only time you see daylight you're stuck at work. Everything is gray and dead. The beautiful white snow has turned to black muck. When is this gonna be over already!?!?!

Now fall.....every color of the rainbow. Days are shorter but not too bad. Evenings and mornings are cool and crisp....refreshing! The air even looks clean without all that summer humid haze. But the days are warm but without humidity. Occasionally a light sweater or a light jacket will do. And where spring can occasionally dump snow, fall can only have warmer days! This time of year, when the temps fall to the 40s in the evening I love opening all the windows and just letting that nice fresh air in. At night I close my door, open the window all the way and turn on the ceiling fan to circulate the cool air. There's nothing like getting out of bed early in the morning to a crisp cool room. It's refreshing and almost rejuvenating. I usually keep the window at least a little cracked open throughout the winter.

I don't think I could ever live in a place where it's mainly one season year round

[Old TexMex]

Fall is beautiful in both of my present homes. The Texas coast has a cooling that comes with the tail end of hurricane season, the summer maniacs have gone back to their halls of higher learning, football and frat parties. The snowbirds haven't been driven south by winter, and my island fortress is almost free of the curse of golfcarts.
The Gulf goes flat and the trout show up in the surf.

Down in Baja, the cooler waters of the Pacific push down, the humidity drops, and a sweater is needed in the dawn morning, but it's summertime by 10a.m.

Cooler weather also reminds me
If, after the age of FIFTY

You wake up in the morning

And Nothing Hurts,

This may be strong evidence that

YOU HAVE DIED During the Night!

[jackvs1]

I have come to believe that anything fits in the "Annoyed At Thread Drift" thread.

[1morethan8]

Went trout fishing last week on my favorite river.. some search all their life and never find Heaven. Let me show you part on mine...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=uv2Y-Mo0Y2o

[Doc Hollywood]

Fall, in my humble opinion is the most enjoyable time of year. as the summer heat starts to wane the weather gets more comfortable. On my way to work I get to enjoy the quiet crisp quality of the world just before dawn. I think the world is just a little different before dawn as the air reaches its coldest extreme before the crescendo of warmth that the sun provides. Especially pleasurable to me are the first hints of smoke in the air from all the warm hearths. The salmon are large, the bucks start to rut, and the trout are fat in the streams from the added nutrition in the ecosystem that is provided by the salmon run. It is the time of year I drink whiskey by the fire as I clean and inspect the old 300 H&H thinking fondly of putting that old rifle to work for another season. its the time of year I get to pull out my coats and air out my sleeping bag. there is a lot of extra curricular work involved with the fall in preparation for the austerity brought by the coming months. My favorite part about the fall is that feeling when the crisp air hits your nose with that settle hint of firewood; it elicits a response from something deep in my bones calling me back to the woods.

[1morethan8]

If Heaven isn't like this.. I'd just as soon stay home...

YouTube

[snuffy51]

Our seasons here are: April to November-cut grass. Most of November thru December-rake leaves. January thru March-fish Tennessee River below Pickwick Dam, The Bluffs at Shiloh Nat'l Battlefield Park on down past Diamond Island, for Sauger, Smallmouth Bass and cuss the huge catfish that breaks your line regularly. Then start all over again. Lot of the the talk is what year the "8 inch snow" came and how long ice stayed on the ground. If you want winter, just drive 8 hours east to The Smokies. I love it here. I truly love it every morning I wake up, cause one day I might not. Never complain.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by finesse_r

Fall is my favorite season of all and the color changes can be brilliant and beautiful.

Though Fall is here, our temps don't reflect it. This week we are expected tohave almost mid-summer temps.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by Jinglebob

It’s not often that we enjoy a full cycle of the seasons in the area of Texas where I live. Today the temperature reached 93 degrees and tomorrow, and the week ahead, is forecast to be even hotter. When we have this type of weather pattern it’s not unreasonable to wake up one morning to discover that you’ve missed autumn and it’s now winter.

Ditto that here. Tomorrow is the only day this week we might have a break, supposed to rain and lower temps to only 90f.

[soFlaNative]

Please folks, keep the vids and pics coming.
Fall in south Florida means when we sweat, it may evaporate by the time the beer is finished.

[swsig]

I spent the first 21 years of my life in San Diego. It was a great place to grow up. Nearly every day of the year, we could ride our bikes, play baseball or kickball, or just mess around in the many hills and valleys that existed in our neighborhood. Not everyone appreciated being able to do that. I was always amazed when people who had moved to San Diego from "up North" would whine, "You don't have any seasons here. It's always warm and sunny. It's terrible!"

Unbelievable.

I've lived in Texas for the past 44 years, and we do have seasons here: A long, hot summer, bracketed by short (often just 2-3 weeks), temperate spring and fall seasons, and winter weather that alternates between tropical and arctic, sometimes on the same day. While there are many advantages to living in Texas as compared to Southern California, having "seasons" isn't one of them.

Bottom line: I hate seasons.

[Old TexMex]

I'm into "post season" at the moment, and hope it's not a short one....

[BigBill]

After the fall comes Turkey day, homemade pies, cranberry sausage I live for this day. Family gatherings, great food, good conversations.

[snuffy51]

81 here today, supposed to be 84 Tuesday with a chance of showers, I think. It's been 20 minutes since the news went off. At least I'm always happy every morning I wake up.

[Onomea]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

So many people find autumn sad because to them the falling leaves signify things dying. That's not how I see it. To me, the trees are simply undressing for bed, preparing for a peaceful winter sleep--still completely alive, but resting.

In old age the cold, especially a damp chill, gets into my bones and hurts. Wet cold or bitter wind make breathing more of a challenge. Both of these are conditions I deal with all year, but winter deepens them on many days.

Still, wintertime to me is peaceful and hopeful if I consider it through Nature's ancient eyes. Creation is both resting and toughening, getting ready to produce another wonderful spring. Even when I hurt and can't keep my feet and hands warm, even when the wind takes my breath as I walk my dog, I enjoy the pewter skies and the fine shapes of naked trees.

I have to look at it that way, so that I feel hope and peace instead of fear and sadness.

I can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't have all four seasons. Big wheel keeps on turning, and I ride it and admire the way it moves.

Seasons, all the seasons, are blessings.

And now I'm through being serious for the evening.

Just wanna say, I have come back to reread this a coupla times. It is a beautiful piece of writing, Shoulda.

Made my day better, and I thank you!

[Mickey D]

After moving from CA to Idaho last January, this will be the first time in my 58 year life I will have experienced a true four season year. I'm truly looking forward to fall and winter. Right now the colors are so beautiful, and the air is crisp and cool. The smell of wood stoves lingers in the morning air from distant homes.
I'm really tuned in to the seasonal changes and the animal activity.
Life is great!

[labworm]

Originally Posted by Mickey D

After moving from CA to Idaho last January, this will be the first time in my 58 year life I will have experienced a true four season year. I'm truly looking forward to fall and winter. Right now the colors are so beautiful, and the air is crisp and cool. The smell of wood stoves lingers in the morning air from distant homes.
I'm really tuned in to the seasonal changes and the animal activity.
Life is great!

You're in Heaven now.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by swsig

I spent the first 21 years of my life in San Diego. It was a great place to grow up. Nearly every day of the year, we could ride our bikes, play baseball or kickball, or just mess around in the many hills and valleys that existed in our neighborhood. Not everyone appreciated being able to do that. I was always amazed when people who had moved to San Diego from "up North" would whine, "You don't have any seasons here. It's always warm and sunny. It's terrible!"

Unbelievable.

I've lived in Texas for the past 44 years, and we do have seasons here: A long, hot summer, bracketed by short (often just 2-3 weeks), temperate spring and fall seasons, and winter weather that alternates between tropical and arctic, sometimes on the same day. While there are many advantages to living in Texas as compared to Southern California, having "seasons" isn't one of them.

Bottom line: I hate seasons.

According to the main weatherman here, he said we are at least six weeks late, with our first major cold front.

OK Jack Frost, my ears need to be nipped on.

[JayAychOh]

Seasons. We have them in Texas. They're called "Summer" and "January". I was born here but I haven't lived here all my life, and I do miss seasons. Real seasons. When I lived in states where they had all four, I loved them all and was always ready for the next one when it came around.

[williamlayton]

Anything below 70 is winter and I'm searching for a coat.
Blessings

[Coldshooter]

I do not think I will grow so old that I do not remember the smell of burning leaves and the slight haze in the air on October Saturday mornings.

[DWFAN]

I grew up in Connecticut. A Yankee Redneck if you will. I can say I enjoyed the changing seasons more when I was young than I do now. Growing old ain't for sissies.
I'll be 68 in a couple of weeks and these old bones have had it with winter here. The old woman retires in about eight years but we are out of here before that. Her company has offices down south and that is where we are headed. Not sure where we will go yet but it sure won't be anywhere north of Virginia.

DW

[raljr1]

This popped up at the bottom of another old thread I was reading. The first post by shouldazagged could have been written by a philosopher, was.

and post #34 came true, hopefully for both shouldazagged and the posted of #34, labworm.

miss 'em both.

[Rustyt1953]

I'm glad you brought it back.

Mike Adkins: the finest wordsmith with the largest vocabulary of anyone I have encountered here. We were blessed to have him counted as one of us.

I miss him.

[Llance]

So many great postings on this thread they all need a like. Here is my take on fall. I've put it elsewhere, but I think it belongs here too.

WHISPERINGS FROM THE ROAD
(A Teamsters Thanksgiving)

The harvest is done, all manner of crops in mill, silo, or bin, and the machines of husbandry sleep within their sheds awaiting a new beginning. Beasts of field, stable, and paddock consume the last vestiges of summer’s wealth. The lights of ranch, and home on either side blend in front of me, to become the lights of a city which shine and sparkle like the jewels of a ladie’s necklace.

The sun peeks thorough a break on the horizon and the orange glow upon the clouds, like the embers of a fire, warms the soul. Night descends upon the prairie with the quiet stillness of a whisper. My tires, running in the groves of the pavement sing to me: “When do we sleep? When do we sleep? When .…?”

In the falling light I see grasses reaching as tall as a horse’s haunch. Two, four, six teams of reins in my grasp, to pull the freight wagon upon which I sit. Within are goods for the pioneers of this land, settlers who will turn this emptiness into a bounty heretofore unknown. And they leave their mark upon the land where hoof and wheel dig trenches across the reaches.

Yet do my tires sing to me: When do we sleep? When do we sleep?

I wake from my sleepless dream to horses now caged within steel and plastic. Five hundred steeds pull my load effortlessly down a ribbon of concrete. We glide along into the deepening night; my touch on the wheel as soft and gentle, as a silk scarf brushing the bare shoulders of my love. Within the homes I pass families now sit to their meal, and give praise to their God, thankful for the bounty of the soil.

And the night wind whispers my name across the echoes of time: “Star Dancer,” it calls, until at last, far to the west, I close my eyes to the darkness of the night.

Llance P.
c/w 1 Nov 2005

[swsig]

Originally Posted by Rustyt1953

I'm glad you brought it back.

Mike Adkins: the finest wordsmith with the largest vocabulary of anyone I have encountered here. We were blessed to have him counted as one of us.

I miss him.

Amen! (Even though he did order me to my room several times. )

[Rustyt1953]

Originally Posted by swsig

Amen! (Even though he did order me to my room several times. )

He sent a lot of us to our rooms. Sadly, we will likely never see wit the likes of his here again.

He was one of best people I ever knew.

[yaktamer]

Originally Posted by raljr1

This popped up at the bottom of another old thread I was reading. The first post by shouldazagged could have been written by a philosopher, was.

and post #34 come true, hopefully for both shouldazagged and the posted of #34, labworm.

miss 'em both.

Thanks for bringing this back, for the reasons you mention and because Autumn is my favorite season hands-down. In fact yesterday I was reading quotes about the season. If there's a heaven and I go there, I hope it's always October. Don't know how I missed this thread the first time around.

[ancient-one]

I enjoy life, all four seasons. I probably complain a little when it is 100 degrees or like it is now, messy snow with a forecast low of around five. I am in the winter of my life but hope to see a few more spring, summers, fall and winters. If I don't I have been truly blessed.

[handejector]

I would chuckle when I saw his name- shouldazagged. The story of my life!

[Ole Joe Clark]

Originally Posted by MasterTech1960

Fall, to me , is the best time of the year. One good thing about Maryland , well at least Western Maryland , we get to see all the colors in the changing of the leaves . When My wife and I were trying to pick a wedding date we knew it would be in the fall. On October 23rd it will have been 33 years ago. God bless Her , I don't know how she has put up with me that long. Lucky I guess.

Congratulations!

October 23rd is a good date to get married, 57 years ago the love of my life and I committed to each other and we are are working on 58. She is a great one, and I thank God for putting us together.

I am so blessed,

Leon

[Bugkiller99]

Originally Posted by handejector

I would chuckle when I saw his name- shouldazagged. The story of my life!

I remember when I first got on the the forum and saw “Shouldazagged” I thought then, “need to read what he writes”.

Boy, was I ever right.

[Dave.357]

I just came in from shoveling
Walks. I will trade you a winter
For a fall. And I am old enough
That I do not want to fall.