COLUMN: Ramblings: Signs that winter is on the way

The golden month of October has faded away. October was not golden this year. As I write this column, most of the tree leaves are still green.

The hills have faded from the vibrant green of summer. Some trees are shedding brown crinkled leaves. But the golden kaleidoscope that usually entertains us in October has not made an appearance this year.

I miss the oranges of the maples and the glowing yellow of the tulip poplars. The dark red of the oaks is also missing from the landscape. The natural world seems out of sync. My tomato plants are still blooming! Surely, frost will come soon and turn the vibrant leaves in my garden black.

Today I have been working on preparing my houseplants to come inside. I am amazed at how much they have grown while basking in the summer sun. Many needed to be re-potted. Finding room for them near a window was a challenge, but they are all nestled in their winter homes.

Except for the huge split leaf philodendron. It is nearly as tall as I am. I fear I will need to find it a new home.

I also cut the herb plants back. I doubt they will produce more leaves now. Luckily, I have been drying the extra leaves all summer and have a jar of catnip for tea and plenty of basil and rosemary.

The hills may not look autumnal, but there are other signs that winter is on the way. The hummingbirds have left for their winter homes. Many of our other summertime avian visitors have also left. The pawpaws are ripe. Skeletons and scarecrows dance around huge pumpkins in many yards.

Halloween rivals Christmas in elaborate decorations. I enjoy looking at them when I drive by. I know that many people don't like Halloween. They do not participate in celebrating the holiday, not even the 'trick-or-treat' part.

As a child I loved going around to neighbors and coming home with a sack of goodies. I also enjoyed creating a costume every year. I found it exciting to be someone else for a night – a gypsy, a cowboy, a hobo, a ghost – the possibilities were endless.

As an adult, I loved meeting all the neighborhood kids in their costumes when they came trick-or-treating. Sometimes I would dress up to hand out the treats.

The years we lived in the country, we could not go trick-or-treating. My Mother made sure we had some goodies. Then she would get her James Whitcomb Riley book and read his scariest poems.

She read his words with such emotion the hair on the back of your neck would stand up. Remembering her voice reciting Nine Little Goblins still sends chills down my spine. Her green eyes would glow in the light of the oil lamps. She set the stage well for her performances.

My column lives up to its name this month: Ramblings. I will close with a few words about Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving often gets lost between the fun of Halloween and the excitement of Christmas. Most families don't do a lot of decorating. Sharing time and a big turkey with loved ones is the main attraction on Thanksgiving.

Times are stressful. Many of us worry about the future. The first Thanksgiving was about sharing. Let us continue that tradition by sharing with others and being grateful for our blessings.

Til next time,
Annie