“When an early autumn walks the land and chills the breeze
And touches with her hand the summer trees,
Perhaps you’ll understand what memories I own.” (Johnny Mercer, Ralph Burns, and Woody Herman)
These opening lyrics from a very beautiful and romantic song with a haunting melody, “Early Autumn” by Johnny Mercer, Ralph Burns, and Woody Herman, come to mind this morning as there is a definite chill in the air, even though there is an all-illuminating sunrise kissing the day awake.
And although autumn doesn’t “officially” begin until next Monday, September 22, it seems to have jumped the gun a bit these past few weeks. It’s been sweatshirt weather for the most part, and all of the signs that summer has flown the coop are hanging out there for all to see.
There is a slight tint beginning to appear on the trees all around, the initial stages of their lovely fall colors that will be in full force when October arrives.
The tall corn out in this neck of northern Illinois, still green and vibrant, is gearing itself up for the harvest season that will be here in the weeks ahead. It’s way too early yet for any of that, but there’s just a feel in the air that autumn is creeping around out there!
This is my favorite time of the year, even though there’s much to be said for all of the other seasons of the year. But autumn! The splendid weather and a sense that the summer fun is put away and the comfort of home is good. The sting of winter is still a ways off—but really not that far!
Football is in full swing now. The baseball season is winding down, the playoffs and World Series on the horizon. My White Sox will be nowhere close to either this year, but that’s what spring is for months away—new dreams and false hopes!
Rural orchards offer delicious apples and cider. Bright orange pumpkins will soon dot the landscape, and festivals will pop up here and there in hamlets and towns far from the hustle and bustle of cities and other places that are still moving way too fast to notice.
And so, whether or not it really is an early autumn, the feeling and goodness of life all around us is here. Here’s to a wonderful autumn, everyone!
“A winding country lane all russet brown,
A frosty window pane shows me a town grown lonely.”
Down Many Roads... 
I love fall, too, but it did jump the gun this year. Kind of hit us out of the blue. I’m hoping for some warmer weather ahead. I’d like a little longer taste of summer. A few more weeks of that, then I’ll be more than ready for pumpkins and falling leaves. 🙂
I’m with you there, Carrie! 🙂
I love the crisp air indicating the arrival of fall. Unfortunately in Charlotte, it’s still oppressively humid. I don’t like the cold, but I do like to give our A/C a break. Football and crock pot cooking….I love it!
Jill: I hear you with the crock pot cooking! I could live with that being our sole method of cooking. I think there’s a blog post about that very thought in the coming days. 🙂
Me too! I have a crock pot post too, but it’s rather embarrassing, so I’ve yet to write about it. 🙂 Perhaps your post will inspire me.
You almost made me long for autumn Mark, great writing! Here we are dipping in and out of an early spring – today dipped more out than in – but I am loving that lime green wrapped around the tips of the willows along the riverbanks and watching everything else swell and blossom ………. soon enough our seasons will be swapped around again.
Thank you. I love your own description.
Please, no. I plan to make it to Michigan in October. It better not be all over by then.
Not to worry, Luanne! You won’t miss a thing!
There’s been a definite chill in the air here for several days now. I adore everything about autumn–crinkling leaves under my feet, cool days, beautiful color and big pots of chili or home made soup. But it seems much too early. If summer could last just a bit longer or if autumn could stretch out through the winter, boy that would be fantastic. 🙂
Hi, Elizabeth: Your descriptions of the colors and those delicious pots of chili or soup have me thinking about putting together one or the other very soon! Since I posted this earlier in the week, we have had delightful days in the 70s and plenty of sunshine. Love it! 🙂
A lovely, vivid post, Mark. I’m glad I discovered your blog. The line about the frosty windows showing “…a town grown lonely” reminded me of the little western Kansas and eastern Colorado towns as we drive back and forth between the states to visit family. While September and October are my two favorite months, they also when I begin to brace myself for driving snow-packed or icy roads in the near future.
Thank you, Marylin. I am glad you stopped by. Please do so again. 😃