I am feeling betrayed. Betrayed by Mother Nature. You see, I’m sitting outside, enjoying my lunch and feeling the heat of the sun fanned by a gentle breeze. Suddenly, I realize that breeze is cool, and it is from the North. And most importantly, it is not so gentle. In fact, it is creating a rainstorm of gold leaves in my backyard. Nooooooo! It is autumn.
The official first day of autumn was Sept. 22. On this day, the Autumn Equinox, aka Mabon, day and night are equal. Well, as equal as they can be. It is a time of gratitude and balance. It’s a time of reflection and the opportunity to release what no longer serves us. It is time to prepare for winter. It was a time to celebrate, share a great meal, and sit around a backyard bonfire.
I shouldn’t complain. Autumn is my favourite season. It is a time for pumpkin spice lattes and stews. It is cool mornings wrapped in a soft blanket, reading and enjoying that first cup of steaming coffee. It is still possible to wear shorts in the afternoon. The evenings are a bit cooler, but a small fire in the outdoor chimenea and the morning’s blanket ward off the chill. It is a time of foggy mornings, deep blue sky afternoons, and Northern Lights in the dark evenings.
But this year it came much too early. I am still waiting for summer. We had a lot of smoke from northern forest fires. There was a lot of wind. A lot of rain and a lot of tornado warnings. My city packs a lot of things in just two months, and it can be overwhelming trying to go to them all or just figure out which ones to attend. And now, those events are winding down as we prepare for the cold, snowy months that are coming, despite what the weather forecasters predict.
On this beautiful autumn day there is no room for thoughts of snow.
Seasonal changes such as summer to autumn can play havoc with our energy levels. We may feel more tired, or conditions such as asthma and arthritis may worsen. Anyone who suffers from migraines will know about changes in barometric pressure. And reduced sunlight can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). That’s a blog on its own.
Unfortunately, viruses such as those that cause the common cold or flu love colder temperatures. Ironically, that is when we start spending more time indoors, so it is easier to catch any little thing.
Our metabolic rate, fat gain, and insulin resistance also change with the seasons, especially in seniors. A lot of research has been done on that topic. Check this out.
And I thought I was gaining weight every September because I feel lazy.
I suppose autumn brings more damp weather, and we tend to want to stay indoors more. I know that the older I get, the more I dread driving anywhere in the winter. Icy and snow-covered roads literally send me into a tailspin. But I don’t have to worry about that for a month or two, so I won’t. (Easier said than done!)
Unlike the state of the world right now, autumn is not all doom and gloom. The air has a pleasant crispness to it. The leaves are changing colours, and they are gorgeous. Vibrant hues of orange, red, yellow, and green stand out in the beautiful blue sky. The changing colours are beautiful against a slate grey horizon when a storm approaches. There are some interesting birds stopping by our backyard feeders as they begin their long journey down south. Even the ducks and geese honking high above as they migrate south bring a sense of wonder. After all, they are following ancient pathways. So fascinating!
We are getting a load of firewood delivered tonight, so there will be lots of birch to get us through the next few months. Samhain is just around the corner, and a celebration would not be complete without a backyard bonfire. We can’t forget about our traditional New Year’s Day wiener roast! Minus 30 be damned!
And so, what if you must don an extra sweater when you take Fido for a walk? Or wear long sleeves on the outdoor pickleball court? Or fire up the slow cooker rather than the BBQ? It shouldn’t be a hardship but rather a change. Embrace it! (And slather on extra moisturizer and lip balm because your skin will soon be as dry as those falling leaves!)
Remember, to everything there is a season. And a time to every purpose, under heaven. A time to be born, a time to die. Thank you, Pete Seeger and The Byrds.
Interesting Reads & Things
https://tammyrobinsonauthor.com/the-changing-seasons-in-canada-and-its-impact-on-mental-health/
Wanderings Art 