(A slightly different version of this was posted a couple year’s back but it bears repeating with a few edits.) I eventually completed college at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont just outside of Montepelier. Vermont is a grand state for someone who loves the striking colors of fall and mountains. I tasted real maple syrup for the first time in Vermont and have used it ever since. Walking in John Eliot Square Fall is a perfect time for walking because I get warmed up and remain cool at the same time. Fall bustles with events, so many to choose from, and students – arriving and returning in droves at the many educational institutions for which Boston is known. Politics Apples Pumpkins Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet, Give Me something Good to Eat! Fall Food Fall is also the season of the annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival – being held on Saturday, Oct. 26 (11am-6pm) and Sun., Oct. 27 (10am-4pm) at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Roxbury. It’s free! I could go on and on but you get the point! Each season has its reasons, but I like fall best of all!!
Each season has its reasons but I love Fall most of all.
Fall is when I first came to New England (Boston to be specific) to go to college as a 17 year old freshman. I happened upon the Highland Park section of Roxbury and used to visit the small library located in the Parish Hall behind the First Church in Roxbury Even though the Dillaway-Thomas House in John Eliot Square had not been remodeled and was boarded up, there was a grand stateliness and history to the buildings and to nearby Dudley Station that bustled with people and businesses – many long gone – that spoke to my heart. The Dudley Square area is a bustlin construction zone with the rebuilding of the Ferdinand Building. This long boarded up building will now be the headquarters of the Boston Public School Department and many store-front businesses.
Walking along the brick sidewalks on Roxbury Street on my way to a meeting for Discover Roxbury at the Dillaway-Thomas House recently, I made a feeble attempt to dodge acorns falling furiously from the trees. (It was as if an army of squirrels was taking aim at human targets.) As I walked, I noticed the lengthening shadows of the tree and buildings and the crispness of the fall air. “Ahhhh,” I thought, fall has come. Autumn has arrived.
Fall is the season for elections – and our mayoral campaign has been a doozy. Sadly, despite the crackle of field of diverse candidates, things have ended up where they normally do – with the notable exception of Mel King’s campaign in 1983. No candidates of color are on this year’s ballot. Sigh. Back to fall.
I like the carpet of color-rich fall leaves blanketing lawns and sidewalks and forming crunchy borders on the sides of the roads (when they are dry). I am even happy to rake them.
I like apple-picking and look forward to a return to visiting apple orchards when my granddaughter comes to visit so I can start a new tradition with her that has been suspended since her mom and uncle were youngsters.
This fall I will once again don the porch steps with fat pumpkins, crossing fingers that this year, they’ll be left alone. I’ve already perched the fall wreath on the front door and hung the burlap trick-or-treat bags from the hooks that hold flowering plants in the summer. (Perhaps I’ll make a scare crow to perch on the porch rail. That’ll scare the pumpking nabbers!) I’ll also catch, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” when it airs on TV as I’ve done almost every year since my children were young.
I’ve been collecting coupons for Halloween candy which I’ll start buying this weekend. I’m not a big candy eater still I make sure to buy mostly candy I don’t like, since fewer and fewer children ring the door with each passing year. I would hate to think of the tummy and toothache I would get if I were to eat the leftovers myself!
In fall I buy apple cider, make apple cake, and prepare dishes with pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash. I didn’t grow up eating squash in St. Louis and have only come to enjoy it in the past few years. It’s delicious, nutritious, and thrifty!
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If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
The Hills are Alive: A Walking Observation
I Love Walking in Dorchester
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