Cozying up To Fall

By: June Owens

I love fall.  It’s no secret that it is my favorite season. Crisp weather and beautiful colors are what immediately come to mind for most of us. For me, the many feelings associated with the season are a gift and experiencing all things fall through the five senses are the beautiful bow on top of the package.

So, what is this fall feelings gift all about? If you open it along with your heart and mind, you’ll quickly realize that it’s a gift of time. It’s a time to really appreciate the beauty in life, no matter how short-lived. It’s a peaceful time and a time of simply letting go. It’s a time of reflection and thankfulness. And, it’s a time of anticipation as we prepare to slide into the upcoming holidays.

Like all good gifts, a big bow is needed on this package and fall is a season that embraces the five senses like no other. There are so many ways to truly experience so sit back and think about it for a moment. What are you looking forward to throughout the coming months? The list can certainly go on and on so I’ve narrowed it down to a list of top ten ways of cozying up to fall this year.

• Touch it …
  • Sweatshirts and blankets – Ah, I'm getting comfortable just thinking about it. Whether you have a fall stash of oversized sweatshirts and fluffy blankets or intend to pick up a new one of each, it’s one of the best ways to embrace the weather changes.
  • Pumpkins … Digging into the gooiness to carve a jack-o-lantern and harvest the pumpkin seeds is one of the most popular fall activities. There are so many wonderful places throughout Ohio and you can check out Ohio Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, Hayrides and More here to get started on your pumpkin search adventure.
• See it …
  • Watercolor changes - Check out how nature has taken her paintbrush to the trees. Seeing the shades of green, yellow, orange, and red is arguably one of the best things about the fall season.
  • Go Bucks – Yes, it’s football season. And whether you’re a fan of the hometown team or loyal to another, the sounds of fans cheering, referee whistles, and the beat of the band are some that make fall worth waiting for as the calendar rolls over each year.
• Smell it …
  • Apple spice and everything nice - Bring the aromas into your home by simmering apples, cloves, orange peels, and cinnamon in a saucepan or crockpot or fill your home with candles that have names like autumn harvest and warm apple crisp.
  • Campfire – Enjoy the smells of a backyard campfire. This one really gets multiple senses engaged as flickering flames and crackling sounds lull you into relaxation.
• Hear it ...
  • Weather talk - The whistling breeze that rustles the trees and often gives way to a gentle rain is so refreshing to hear this time of year.
  • Leaves – The crunching under your footsteps is certainly a sound easily recognized as each tree releases their fall foliage to the ground.  Be even more adventurous and compare the sounds of jumping in the large pile that was freshly raked. You’ll hear giggles of the children joining in alongside you (and perhaps the sighs of those who need to rake again 😊).