September is one of my favourite months as it comes with its splendid Fall flavours and a bounty of autumn’s palette of hues and shades. Everything that was sharp and crisp now takes on a mellowness including the warmth of the sun. Cool evenings and dewy mornings with a bit of a bite in the air as dawn and dusk befall each day. In the middle, the day, is cuddled in the warmth of the sun, not as intense as early summer, but still with a heat that is cozy and temperate. No extremes thank goodness.
Although I do find that September to November gives new meaning to a windy day. For the breeze of today takes on a new vigour of harshness as we quite often get hit by the remnants of southern hurricanes, trailing up the coastline, taking its gale-like temper out on those in its path. I remember last year; not so nice and certainly lefts its scars on the land for sure. But Mother Nature has its time to remind us of the fragile world we live in. So oh September, what do you have in store for us?
Yet looking out at the beautiful evening tonight, I feel wonder and awe as the sun gives off a gentler glow of light upon my yard and woods surrounding me. It is truly a remarkable feeling and visual to experience. What takes place that nature takes on a different look even though the leaf is still green, the wheat in the field is still pale yellow, the turned soil is still red? Whatever I see, it looks different. And that is why I love the Fall and its cast of colours and flavours.
Although being in self-isolation, I cannot go around as yet to experience the true nature of Falls beginning. Of course I realize that we are still technically in late summer as I believe September 21/22 is the official day of seasons changing. But funnily as I was painting today, I stepped out of my deck to get a bit of fresh air and move away from the paint fumes and what did I see…a leaf falling down upon my deck. In fact three leaves fell, two green but one for goodness sake was yellow. Now what is up with that I ask you. I am not ready to rake thank you very much, nor do I want the season of autumn to rush in too quickly. Nice and slow is good for me.
I can almost smell the fields being toiled. I have heard quite few large machines going down the intersecting roads near me. Not sure if they are tractors or combines but I can almost smell the turned soil of the fields. Don’t you just love the wonderful smells connected to Fall?! For example, I am thinking of the variety of apple orchards and unique tanginess developed here on the island, especially Gala, Cortland, Honey Crisp and Ginger Gold apples. Have you ever heard of them?? Delicious. Scrumptious. T-t-t-t… you know when you put your tongue and tap it repeatedly on the top part of your mouth. You make this sound as if trying to describe the indescribable taste in your mouth. Anyway, each one is certainly tasty when you bite into them. I like when an apple tastes like an apple…you know what I mean?
I think the flavours that become attached to the Fall make sense. I mean in the summer who wants to have a big heavy meal. Yes people do, but really when the weather is a bit cooler, you tend to want to get into more hardy and savoury foods of a more robust culinary experience…the foodie in you. Here on the island there is a wonderful tradition of the Fall Flavours Festival. It is a perfect time to get out and sample the splendour of the island culture and talented chefs specialties which fully supports the local island foods. Even in the midst of the pandemic they are going to continue to embrace the festival which is a good thing. Take your mind off of things…eat, drink and be merry. Is that not what one does? There is nothing like breaking bread together, sitting around the dining table with family and friends.
But beyond the festival is the home cooked meal and baked goodies restaurants that bring out the aroma of the “food to table” way of island. Whether by sea or fields. Unbelievable here. Support local. Absolutely. You hear it everywhere but the proof is in the pudding so to speak… really good and fresh food. When they say homegrown, they mean homegrown.
So September you make me appreciate the joy of the seasons as you leave summer behind to make room for the blessings and bounty of the harvest, land and sea, and the colourful world of natures beauty. Welcome.
Let us pray for those who are in need of prayers this day.
Thinking of September and what it will bring. Blessings.
Karenpondering 