7 Wonderful Things About Autumn

Ah, Autumn! How delightful to have brisk air on sunny days and cool nights.

I like October because it's the month the seasons begin their transformation here in Texas.

From long, hot summer days to cooler, shorter days, we breathe a sigh of relief as we luxuriate in the shorter days and welcome the cool nights.

Raquel Franco said, "And then the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep, and autumn was awakened."

That's exactly how it seems this first morning in October.

I like the changing of the seasons. It's kind of like a mini-New Year's Day. As the season changes, I embrace the idea of wiping away mistakes and failures—without waiting for New Year's Day.

7 Wonderful Things About Autumn

1. Getaway. If you're a parent, chances are your children have been back in school 6-8 weeks. Now is the perfect time for a romantic getaway because school is established, and grandparents will enjoy a chance to take care of the munchkins. Get vaccinated, mask up, and escape for a few days.

2. Plan the holidays. Now is the time to plan your holidays from soup to nuts. Take a weekend or two and get started. to plan your holiday. Bring back the art of sending real Christmas cards by mail. Put together your Christmas card list now and print address labels for them. Be sure and save the file, and you’ll only have to edit it in the future.

3. Plan an indoor picnic.  Summers here make picnics problematic because of the heat. Treat everyone to an indoor picnic for a change with paper plates and disposable cups. Spread a cloth, provide a sumptuous meal, and have some fun music. Best of all? No dishes to wash.

4. Collect autumn leaves. Pick up some of the beautiful red, gold, and orange autumn leaves. Take photos and post them online. Get some really big ones and place them on a pretty tray as a centerpiece on your coffee table.

5. Smores. Yes, cool nights are perfect to break out the chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers. If you’re lucky enough to have a fire pit in the backyard or a fireplace, learn how to make Smores the old-fashioned way. Or, just pop the treat into the microwave or oven and heat until melted and gooey. Delicious.

6. Enjoy a fire in the hearth. There’s something primitively enjoyable about a fire in the hearth. If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace, use it. Make the lighting of the first fire of the season an occasion.

7. Pre-Christmas decoration checkup. Break out the decorations now and go through them. Do the repairs now rather than when it’s time to put the decorations up. Make a list of what replacements you might need. Getting on jump on the frenzied holidays now will mean less work in December and more time to enjoy the journey.

Takeaway Truth

Most of all, enjoy the sunny days and cool nights. Fall in love with Autumn. Fall in love for real. If you're already in love, celebrate that fact.

It's Autumn when Kristina embarks on her Quest, accompanied by Wyatt, a man her father designated as her protector.

The Key To Kristina

A suspicious death, and an inheritance. A key and a clue lead to a Quest that becomes the adventure of a lifetime!

Now on Kindle Unlimited, The Key To Kristina is Free Read for subscribers, or $3.99 to buy and keep forever.

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