Welcoming Autumn
In the large park around the corner from my house, every spring the city puts up what I like to call condos for birds. These large bird houses all in a row have three levels each with openings on four sides. The sweet sounds of the avian population living there for the summer are always delightful. But as I witnessed this morning, now that the nights are quickly cooling, the sounds are gone and the birds enjoying life in a warmer climate.
Although summer is not yet over and the days are still very warm, the empty bird condos are to me a first indication that autumn is well on its way. A second is certainly the small leaves that are quietly—and almost with apology—starting to break away from their perch and scatter to the ground. They do so before the trees have had time to put on their annual colourful show which will slowly take place over the next few weeks. Each of the four seasons heralds change of course, but the change brought on by autumn seems to me to be somewhat bolder. And perhaps it needs to be to prepare us for the cold wind of winter not far behind.
I like autumn. The less oppressive and less humid air is welcomed after the summer heat so that walks in the country can be longer. It’s also a time when busyness returns: people are back at work, kids are in school, adult classes and group activities of all stripes are starting up again. I find that the increased activity brings with it a new vitality and new challenges. That’s always a plus for us who are less involved in the traditional work scene and have less family responsibility. Far from being a time to deplore, autumn opens up so many opportunities if we take the time to look for them, whether it’s learning about history, the arts, music, or computers; rediscovering a musical instrument; going back to bowling or curling; taking a yoga class; looking for volunteering opportunities; or writing the family history in order to leave a precious heritage for children, grandchildren and beyond. It’s a time to get going.
Have a great autumn and spread the word that this year September 6th is Grandparents’ Day.
(Photo: FreeFoto.com)
