October thoughts

[kelliem]

I love autumn. I love the slant of the sunlight in the morning and afternoon, the strange green of twilight, stars sparkling like drusy crystals in a field of Eilat stone. I love the colors, the riot of pale straw gold, and russet, crimson, amber, plum, and briliant orange. I love the smells, woodsmoke and raw pumpkin, baking squashes, and the earthy, dusty smell of fallen leaves, the ozone and sea smell of rain. I love the sounds the leaves make as the fall onto the roof, a skittering rustle outside the window that makes me wonder if there's a squirrel out there, only to realize it's just a leaf, again. I like the crisp, cool air, and the need for another blanket on the bed. There's an odd sort of melancholy anticipation that shades the entire season, at least for me. I can never quite put my finger on what it is I'm anticipating, but I know it's something good.

I always feel energized in the fall. Some people do spring cleaning, I do fall cleaning. Today I rousted my housemate and we took several old appliances that have been cluttering up the garage out to the 'hard to recycle' and electronic recycling centers, then I came home and swept out my half of the garage and made room for my old dishes that will be going with my kid-unit when moving out is done. I've been storing the boxes of dishes in the living room, it was nice to get them out of there. I needed a new lamp for my night-stand, my old one gave up the ghost last night (appropriate for the season!). There was nothing I liked at Target, but I did find one at Bed Bath & Beyond, a gooseneck with a purple shade and base. And for once I got out of there without buying out the entire store. (Note to self: only shop there when you have no money.)

Bought another pumpkin to carve. The first one was demolished by squirrels and/or raccoons. I'd never had the local wildlife bother my jack-o-lanterns before so I decided to store the previous pumpkin on the back porch until I had time to carve it. Big mistake. Apparently the reason they always left them alone previously was because I'd already scooped out the innards before I put them outside. Apparently they could smell the seeds through the hull, and when I went out to fill the bird feeder a couple of days later, I saw that my perfect-for-carving pumpkin had a squirrel-sized hole in its side through which trailed bits of pumpkin innard and seeds. Over the next few days additional, larger (raccoon-sized?) holes appeared and all the innards were removed. I wonder if some ancient Egyptian embalmers have been reincarnated as squirrels?

The reason I think a raccoon might have been at the pumpkin as well as the squirrels was because I saw one on the porch the other night. Bold as brass, she came right up to the screen door to check me out when I spoke to her. I suspect someone in the neighborhood must hand feed her, because she was absolutely not the least bit afraid of me. She was a big girl, too. I'd say probably forty pounds or so. She'd make about 5 of my cat. I don't know why I think it was a girl, but I do. I wanted to take a picture, but when I got back with the camera she'd taken off.

Anyway, blessed almost-Samhain to my fellow pagans. Don't forget to leave a plate out for the Ancestors on Monday night.

Comments

[brynwulf]

I love your October thoughts. It is my favorite month and not just because its my birthday. The colors, the smell of smoke and the bite of wind on my nose are just some of my reasons for loving fall. But you put it so much better. :)

And Blessed Samhain to you as well.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

You have the best birth-month. I'm jealous. I missed having it by 3 days! Wah. My mom should have waited. ;-D

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

You do live in an interesting part of the US wildlife-wise. Here we just fear giant poodle-eating cockroaches.

P.S. Didja read Beth H.'s post? She quit smoking. I'm proud of her.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

giant poodle-eating cockroaches

LOL! That sounds like Surface, two weeks ago. Only Nim isn't a roach. :)

I did read her post and was one of the MANY people who congratulated her. That rocks!

[ardent-muses.livejournal.com]

So THAT'S why you like it! Ahhhhhh! Now I see. *G*

Thank you for the beautiful word-pictures. Are you autumn? Because you wear a lot of those colors....

It's amazing how much wildlife you have, considering your area isn't a lot less urban than mine.

:::is jealous:::

:::except for any snakey-type things:::: *G*

Pretty new icon, BTW. And thanks again for this one!

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Yay! I made Ms. Summer understand! :-D

I'm a Winter, actually, but I love Autumn colors and I can pull off a couple of the autumn shades reasonably well, if they are vibrant enough.

Maybe we have more wildlife because we're closer to the mountains? I don't know. I'm glad you like the icon, it's a photo I swiped off webshots. Bad me. And you're welcome. :)

[shiningmoon.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm. Lovely post! I'm glad to be in a part of the country now that still has a good autumn but not such a snowy winter.

I love purging out the old, any time of year. You're inspiring me, and I have a weekend day tomorrow...

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

I'll let you in on a secret. Colorado isn't all that snowy, except up in the mountains. People see "Colorado" and automatically think "Snow" but we have more days of sunshine than anything else. :)

[sithdragn.livejournal.com]

Your description of Autumn gave me gooseflesh because I feel just the same. There's a sense of excitement and anticipation that I can't put a finger on. I know it's not the upcoming season because I dread that one. *g* The extra blanket on the bed is defintely bliss.

A blessed Samhain to you as well. *squeeze*

P.S.

[sithdragn.livejournal.com]

And for once I got out of there without buying out the entire store. (Note to self: only shop there when you have no money.)

Good gravy, yes. That store is the worst kind of crack. I'm on their mailing list at three different addresses just for the coupons.

Re: P.S.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

BB&B = Crack! Of course, why did I not realize this before? I wonder if there are twelve-step groups for BB&B addiction?

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

The extra blanket on the bed is defintely bliss.

It really is. I hate summer. I can't have my bankies. ;-D

[sensine.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm! Thank you for this good-to-read post! Just right for a foggy October afternoon.
I wonder if some ancient Egyptian embalmers have been reincarnated as squirrels? And that was funny! You're probably right, too *g*

I like autumn too. I feel like I wake up after the warm summer. It's like the opposite of what it should be, I should be preparing to hibernate or something.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked the post. I just felt like I had to say something to express how very much I love this time of year.

Summer makes me lethargic. The cooler temperatures in the fall let me wake up again.

[aukestrel.livejournal.com]

This is so pretty! Now I remember (again!) why you are one of my favourite writers!

We are getting Indian Summer this week, they tell us. The best best best time of the year here!

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thank you. :) It was just random thoughts.

I love Indian Summer. It really is the best. And you guys have such glorious foliage there. I really remember that from last year.

[splendidjack.livejournal.com]

I'd also like to thank you for your lyrical praise of Autumn. Having grown up further south, I really appreciate the 4 seasons in a way I'd never really anticipated. And, I still have the delight in winter that my southern upbringing almost demands. But Fall is -- Just Great.

Val