Teresa Holland
It is amazing how some years, fall seems to arrive earlier than expected. There are some things such as brilliantly-colored leaves and pumpkins that we especially look forward to. There are locations throughout the country who depend on the economic bursts, often in rural locales, as ‘leaf-peepers’ hit the road. Trips to find new fall treasures, but mainly to be awe-struck by spectacular, colorful landscapes.
We have our favorite touristy spots here too, but in Indiana we all can be ‘leaf-peepers’ everyday and most anywhere. All we have to do is step outside or look out our window to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Others make time to head to a local park, or just slow down a little and notice more the changing landscape on our drives to and from work or other places we need to go.
Along with the fall comes favorite and fun activities that some have become fall rituals that we look forward to. We take the kids to the pumpkin patch, decorate with pumpkins, and can find most anything to eat or smell that has pumpkin. I wonder if we should just call fall the Pumpkin Season. There are plenty of folks who might be excited by that. These are the people who cannot wait for the pumpkin-flavored coffee drinks and treats that start selling and advertising in August.
It is interesting how the orangey-round winter squash of pumpkin has become more than just a favorite treat at Thanksgiving. While Indiana can grow some huge pumpkins, in 2012 one record-breaking pumpkin in Maine weighed 2009 pounds. Wow, that’s a lot of pies! Did you know that the United States grows 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkin every year, with most harvested in October? Illinois grows twice as many as any other state. While out for a fall drive, you might even pass a field of pumpkins. We do not have to go far at all to find them since it is fall… the pumpkin season.
While the crisp, cooler air can feel good, it can also make us begrudgingly drag out jackets and sweaters. But at the end of the day, we can snuggle in and warm up with a warm, cozy pumpkin-spice-something drink or light up a pumpkin-scented candle, as we find ourselves falling into the rhythm of the seasons.
Teresa Holland is a guest columnist, writer, and retired advanced-practice registered nurse. Send comments to [email protected].
