We End Up Somewhere Quiet

From Sunday Stealing

Fall/Autumn Meme

Q. First of all, is autumn your favorite season? Why or why not?

A. Autumn IS my favorite season! That's because it is cooler and it's pretty. It also heralded the start of the school year and I was a nerd who loved school. What am I saying? I'm still a nerd who loves school. Autumn means new notebooks and school books, new clothes and shoes, and new people in your life. What's not to love?

Q. Is it ‘autumn’ or ‘fall’, to you?

A. I actually use both.

Q. What kind of weather does your area get during this season?

A. It turns cold and we have chilly rains.

Q. Were you born in an autumn month?

A. No.

Q. Do you pay attention to any ‘fall fashions’?

A. No, but I look my best in "fall" colors - purples, browns, blues. A very long time ago when women did their "colors" (do they do that anymore?) I was an Autumn.

Q. Which leaf color is your favorite?

A. Red. I love it when the trees look like the hills are jumping with fire.

Q. Is it still fun to rake the leaves and jump in piles of them?

A. No. Actually that never was fun, it is only fun in the comic strips.

Q. When can you really tell that it’s autumn?

A. When the weather turns cooler and leaves begin to fall. Rather like today.

Q. Do you enjoy carving pumpkins?

A. Yes, though we seldom do it. We live far off the road and have no trick or treaters.

Q. Do you eat the pumpkin seeds? If so, do you put any kind of flavoring on it?

A. I don't eat them.

Q. Are you planning to go to a pumpkin patch this year?

A. Not particularly, but Ikenberry Orchards usually has loads of pumpkins and I visit there frequently.

Q. Which was your favorite Halloween costume to wear?

A. I always enjoyed being either a witch or a hobo. I was not the fairy princess type.

Q. Are you planning to go trick-or-treating? Why or why not?

A. No. I am old. A few years ago I donned a witchy costume and drove to FIncastle with bags of goodies, which I handed out to children throughout the town. I got a lot of strange looks. I am not sure anyone knew who I was, even my friends.

Q. Are there any county fairs or festivals held nearby during this time?

A. Buchanan has a Mountain Magic festival. Salem last week had its Olde Salem Days. The Craftsman Classic is at the Roanoke Civic Center in October.

Q. What is your favorite dessert for this time of year?

A. I don't have favorite desserts by season, but the apples are good in the fall.

Q. Is your Thanksgiving Day in October or November, if you even celebrate it?

A. It's in November.

Q. If you do celebrate it, where do you usually have Thanksgiving dinner?

A. At my mother-in-law's house.

Q. Do you remember any crafts you used to do that were autumn-themed?

A. Not really, but I remember when I was in the 7th grade, right at the first of school, we were given an assignment to collect leaves and label them, and turn it in at the end of the first six weeks semester. The teacher warned us that he would know who put it off until the last minute because the leaves would be changing, and the people who had green leaves instead of brown or colored ones would get the best grades. Guess what. I completely forgot about the assignment, and then raced around examining leaves to try to find whatever green ones I could. It was not one of my better classroom performances.

Q. Are any of your favorite bands doing a fall tour this year?

A. I am not aware of it if they are.

Q. Which new TV show are you looking forward to this season?

A. I watched Sleepy Hollow when it came on, and the new season of Survivor. Sleepy Hollow was a little gory so I don't know that I will watch it.

Q. How does autumn typically make you feel?

A. Fine.

Q. What color do you always associate with autumn?

A. Red.

Q. Is there a song that always reminds you of this season?

A. Not especially.

Q. Do you have any seasonal traditions?

A. No.

Q. Do you spend a lot of time outside during this time of the year?

A. Are you kidding me? Until there is frost on the pumpkins I can barely stand to be outside. The ragweed is killer this year.

Q. How can you tell that fall is over?

A. Santa Claus is nigh.  

Q. What is a typical autumn outfit that you wear?

A. Blue jeans and a sweater.

Q. Describe a perfect autumn day:

A. It's a lovely crisp 60 degrees, the sun is shining, the sky is a brilliant periwinkle blue, and I am outdoors working to clear up my flower beds. An hour or so later, I come in and shower, and my husband and I go to a fall festival. We hold hands as we peruse the goods, and eventually we end up somewhere quiet where we can chat over a nice bowl of spaghetti.  

Q. Do you hate it when stores start promoting Christmas early?

A. Yes.

Q. What is your favorite thing about this season?

A. That it comes and I'm still alive to enjoy it.