September brings many changes, not the least of which is the arrival of Fall colors. But even more exciting, here in my neck of the woods, is the arrival of two important happenings: crystal clear blue skies and low(er) humidity. Ahh ~ bring on happy smiling skies, outside walks, Breck-girl hair and comfortable sleeps.
Every year I declare Fall as my favorite season: The colors, the smells, the tastes – yep – it’s my favorite. It’s the one season I missed more than any other when we lived down south. In Texas, the seasons were: hot, hotter, surface-of-the sun hot, and slightly less hot. I loved many things about living in Texas but always, always I longed for Fall.
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” [Indian Summer]” ―
Sometimes I sleep in on the weekends ~ I still wake early and usually I get up. But sometimes, like today, I do “tuck and roll” if only for a little while. I did so today, and with great delight, dreamed of Mom. I was back in her farm kitchen and she was teaching me how to make bread. I was an impatient teen, not paying as close of attention as I should have. She had something to teach me and I listened. But not well. When I awoke, the dream felt like a visit. And even though I don’t bake or eat bread now, perhaps the lesson was in the listening.
“No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.” ―
I’ve been catching up on past episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown.” ~Sigh. I’m late to his party. He was such a scamp, so much fun, with that wicked smile and sense of humour/adventure. If only he’d known it.
“I think preparing food and feeding people brings nourishment not only to our bodies but to our spirits. Feeding people is a way of loving them, in the same way that feeding ourselves is a way of honoring our own createdness and fragility.” ― Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way
- What season do you look forward to most?
- Have you had any vivid
dreamsvisits lately? - And are you on the Anthony Bourdain train?
I’m with you on Bourdain…what a talent. Thanks MJ.
He’s just so much fun to watch. I wish I could be along for the adventure with him ~ it’s hard to believe he isn’t here anymore 😦 – MJ
So agree.
I’d love a nocturnal visit from my mom! I have a bunch of questions to ask her!
I’ll miss her always but having a wee little morning visit was absolutely wonderful. I woke up feeling the love. 🙂 MJ
Absolutely with you on the Fall being my favorite. It was my grandma M’s as well..(I was her favorite grandson she said.) She was old school, made 5 loaves of rye bread @ a time . A master bread maker for sure. I asked her to teach me how to make bread when I got older. Can still remember trying to figure out approx. measurements because she’d always done everything by feel. It was an art to her. My sister (who used to own a restaurant) and loves, loves loves to work in the kitchen was on the Anthony Bourdain train. She was in shock when it happened. Blessings on your week MJ. DM
that sounds familiar as my grandmother measured by feel, too (butter the size of an egg, 2 handfuls of flour .. etc) Mom was a little more exacting than that ~ even though I don’t bake bread weekly like she did (my sisters still do) I do wish I’d paid a little closer attention. As I look back I can see she was trying to arm me with a life skill that I didn’t have the maturity (at the time) to appreciate.
Anthony Bourdain – sigh — I’m enjoying watching the reruns which are new to me …
Blessings back to you and welcome to Fall!! Cheers! MJ
I’ve always looked forward to fall. When I was young, it was the end of hot and muggy summers, and as an adult it meant seeing my son off to school, giving me some time to myself. I like seeing the leaves turn color and drop off, giving us a better view of a nearby mountain until the spring. It’s also when the salmon run and eagles come back here.
Like you, I love the cool nights, colors turning, smells of autumn and such. But you have salmon running and eagles returning – wowzers! Thanks for commenting Susan 🙂 ~ MJ