Slowing Down for Fall

I love Fall. It's my favorite season for many reasons. Beautiful colors, fresh apples off the tree, frosty mornings, flocks of geese, wearing flannel, starting a fire in the woodstove, and no mosquitoes. 

I really like that there are no mosquitoes.

On our farm, the pace is slowing down, the workload is tapering off. We're getting everything buttoned down for the winter. The grass was mowed for the last time this week, and the lawnmower was cleaned and put away. Even the camper is winterized and parked out back.

This time of year, I'm finishing up canning applesauce and apple pie filling, digging the last of the potatoes and carrots from the garden, and pruning my berry bushes for a good harvest next year. Things I enjoy doing.

Not things I must do to survive.

That wasn't the case in Colonial Times. Fall wasn't a gentle winding down to get ready for winter. Fall was a frantic rush to preserve and store as much food as possible to keep the family alive through the winter months. Wood was cut, chopped, and stacked close to the house. Animals were butchered, and the smokehouse was filled and diligently tended. Warm clothing was mended or new sewn. Candles were made and stored for the long winter evenings. 

All of these necessary things had to be done. There was no WalMart down the street where they could buy clothing. No Chick-Fil-A if they ran short on groceries. No calling the propane truck if they ran out of fuel. If our pioneer ancestors were to survive the winter, it would depend on their industry during these critical weeks of Fall.

I think I like my version of Fall better.

What is your favorite thing about the season?

Pegg Thomas - Writing History with a Touch of Humor