Siobhan Smith ’30
Guest Writer
This Tuesday, September 22 marked the Autumnal Equinox, or the first official day of fall. For me (and I’m guessing many others based on the ‘favorite season’ polls on dorm door whiteboards), this is very exciting. For the past couple of weeks, I have been constantly checking the 10-day forecast in hopes of seeing below 70℉ weather. And finally, we’re there, proving we are right on the cusp of another fall.
So why do I, and so many others, love fall? Aren’t we sad that summer is ending and we’re back to school?
Yes, it would be nice to have another beach day or have the luxury of not knowing what day of the week it is, but I’m also ready to not be in the heat anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love a warm summer day. But come September, I’m done with sweating on my walk to class. Or having to change clothes every time I get back to my dorm because it was cool in the morning but sweltering come afternoon. With temperatures starting to lower, I can be cool without freezing yet, go for walks around campus comfortably, keep my non-air-conditioned dorm a normal temperature, and enjoy all the colors, foods, and holidays of this upcoming season.
To me, fall is the most beautiful season. Everywhere you look, there are vibrant colors- leaves in varying shades of deep red, yellow, and orange, while we still have bright skies, green grass, and strong sun. Beyond the weather, think about all the flavors of fall. Of course, there’s pumpkin and chai, but so many cozy comfort meals are associated with fall foods. It’s the beginning of soup season, meaning chili, chicken noodle, and creamy tortellini soups. The desserts of fall are top-tier: apple cider donuts (which count as breakfast), pies, crisps, and crumbles of all sorts. That’s one of the best things about fall desserts—you can throw almost any fruit in a pan and cover it with a brown sugar mix and you’ve got something delicious. Or, if you’re not the baking type, you can always have way too much candy corn in one sitting, like I always seem to do at least once every year.
Lastly, fall begins the holiday season! The end of October brings Halloween, which invites endless costume and decoration possibilities. To top it all off, you’ve got so many Halloween movies, ranging from the comforting Hocus Pocus all the way to the scary Scream movies (though anyone who knows me knows I can’t do scary movies). Before Thanksgiving, though not an official holiday, is Friendsgiving, which can be just as fun as the actual holiday itself. Gathering with my friends to decorate, cook, bake, get dressed up, and hang out all night creates so many memories and is a perfect excuse to let each other know how grateful we are for one another. Thanksgiving itself is not only a nice day to be with family, but it is often rooted in traditions—which for me include watching the Macy’s Parade, baking, and playing family games—and is the kick-off to listening to Christmas music (which may be debated).
Even when there’s no holiday, the fall activities are endless. Apple picking, going to a pumpkin patch, farmer’s markets or festivals, pumpkin carving, corn mazes, camping or hiking, hayrides, haunted trails… Overall, fall brings so much to look forward to amidst day to day beauty.
Copy edited by Caroline Gammon ’30
Featured image courtesy of Britannica
Leave a Reply