It’s Autumn, the season when (nowadays) school’s been running long enough that people seem to think that some sort of respite is needed, so many schools are having a “Fall Break” about now. And, Halloween, or Samhain, or All Saint’s Day, or whatever YOU choose to call it, is upon us bringing shoppers running to stores to buy costumes, candy, “seasonal” decorations, etc. How do I know this?
Well, have you been to a store recently? And, like Garfield (see below), I have observed it in the natural world. That is, the first leaves are starting to go for their autumnal ride.
Well, have you been to a store recently? And, like Garfield (see below), I have observed it in the natural world. That is, the first leaves are starting to go for their autumnal ride.
That means that school children have certainly completed their traditional “What I Did On MY Summer Vacation” essays and/or presentations and, like Sally in this Peanuts cartoon, are contemplating the “days gone by” while thinking, much as Sally is doing, “Where DID the summer go?” AND, they are probably arriving at much the same sort of conclusion that she did…
That’s not to suggest that Autumn doesn’t have its nice points, however. The heat of summer (it’s been quite a long, hot, dry one here in Omaha, after a VERY damp Spring) is, basically, over, and the cold, snowy days of winter haven’t arrived yet (and can stay away for a while, as far as I’m concerned), so it’s going to be reasonably pleasant weather-wise for a bit (although it’s still quite DRY!). And, of course, the leaves are starting to change colors, so there’s a chance that it’s going to be pretty outside for a while.
That tends to be the problem, though. Fall is just a bit short! By the time one realizes how pretty the leaves are, how nice the weather is, etc., and tries to take pictures of this phenomenon….
That tends to be the problem, though. Fall is just a bit short! By the time one realizes how pretty the leaves are, how nice the weather is, etc., and tries to take pictures of this phenomenon….
As this Non Sequitur suggests, it’s now too late; you’ve missed that “perfect” photo AGAIN!
And, as was previously stated, school is back in session, so “kids” (of all ages, but especially those in school), have to deal with things like TESTS that we, “mean,” teachers give them because WE are REQUIRED to EVALUATE those students and assign GRADES to them (which most teachers don’t really like much more than the students do). It IS the way of the educational world, however, and it CAN lead to all sorts of interesting notions, as this Heart of the City strip indicates…
And, as was previously stated, school is back in session, so “kids” (of all ages, but especially those in school), have to deal with things like TESTS that we, “mean,” teachers give them because WE are REQUIRED to EVALUATE those students and assign GRADES to them (which most teachers don’t really like much more than the students do). It IS the way of the educational world, however, and it CAN lead to all sorts of interesting notions, as this Heart of the City strip indicates…
Perhaps the major redeeming feature of Autumn for most kids is the coming of Halloween. This is, of course, the best known remnant of the Autumnal celebrations found in the majority of societies under a variety of names. Halloween, specifically, is, of course, actually derived from "All Hallows' Eve,” or the “eve”(evening before) All Hallow’s Day, which was (as I understand it) created by the Christian Church during the 7th Century to honor the Saints (Hallows), and in an attempt to “Christianize” the earlier, pagan, harvest/equinox traditions.
In any case, at least in the U.S., Halloween is most commonly celebrated by folks (of all ages) dressing up in “spooky,” or “sexy,” or “silly” costumes and attending various sorts of parties, or going “Trick or Treating” (which seems most likely to be based on “Souling,” where folks would go door to door begging a “soul cake” in exchange for prayers for the dead on All Hallow’s Eve).
Somehow this idea seems to have gotten into many people’s minds as a Christmas tradition. This is probably because it rather resembles “Caroling,” which IS a Christmas tradition, but the sources I consulted suggest that “Souling” actually started as part of Autumnal/Harvest celebrations, which would fit it in with the “Day of the Dead” traditions of the Hispanic world.
In any case, “Trick or Treating” is most commonly rewarded with candy, or some other sort of treat, to bribe folks from playing “tricks” on you (like soaping windows, papering trees, putting your outhouse building on top of your barn roof, or simply tipping that building over, etc.). I agree that it’s easier (and more fun for us “adults”) to buy some candy and pay the “bribe,” but at least in most places the rather nasty “tricks” of older days are not much utilized, which IS a good thing. Besides, seeing the kids in their costumes can be a lot of fun!
On the other hand, there ARE drawbacks to even seeking to gain the “Treats” after a point…
In any case, at least in the U.S., Halloween is most commonly celebrated by folks (of all ages) dressing up in “spooky,” or “sexy,” or “silly” costumes and attending various sorts of parties, or going “Trick or Treating” (which seems most likely to be based on “Souling,” where folks would go door to door begging a “soul cake” in exchange for prayers for the dead on All Hallow’s Eve).
Somehow this idea seems to have gotten into many people’s minds as a Christmas tradition. This is probably because it rather resembles “Caroling,” which IS a Christmas tradition, but the sources I consulted suggest that “Souling” actually started as part of Autumnal/Harvest celebrations, which would fit it in with the “Day of the Dead” traditions of the Hispanic world.
In any case, “Trick or Treating” is most commonly rewarded with candy, or some other sort of treat, to bribe folks from playing “tricks” on you (like soaping windows, papering trees, putting your outhouse building on top of your barn roof, or simply tipping that building over, etc.). I agree that it’s easier (and more fun for us “adults”) to buy some candy and pay the “bribe,” but at least in most places the rather nasty “tricks” of older days are not much utilized, which IS a good thing. Besides, seeing the kids in their costumes can be a lot of fun!
On the other hand, there ARE drawbacks to even seeking to gain the “Treats” after a point…
One has to learn to be a bit Stoic about Autumn, as one gets older, however. It DOES have points which are pleasant, even wonderful. There are also aspects which some people (me included) find annoying. One of the things I find MOST unpleasant, for example, is pointed out quite clearly in this cartoon from The Argyle Sweater below:
Now, I should hasten to make it clear that I have nothing against what is called “Pumpkin Spice” in its proper place. This “spice,” usually a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, CAN be quite delicious ON PUMPKIN, especially in the form of a pie topped with whipped cream! However, it has become MUCH too common for people to assume that it has a place in coffee drinks and just about everything else, as the cartoon indicates. If you like it on, or with, everything, it’s your right, but PLEASE spare me!
I think that the only major drawback of Fall (which I hope it is clear that I like a lot) is that it always seems to be a bit too short. The brightly colored leaves become a drab brown much too quickly, and the days start to get cold beyond being just “a bit brisk.” And, there’s the ever-present sense that snow is on the way. Garfield indicated that during last winter, but, I think it applies even as Fall is just getting under way.
I think that the only major drawback of Fall (which I hope it is clear that I like a lot) is that it always seems to be a bit too short. The brightly colored leaves become a drab brown much too quickly, and the days start to get cold beyond being just “a bit brisk.” And, there’s the ever-present sense that snow is on the way. Garfield indicated that during last winter, but, I think it applies even as Fall is just getting under way.
I suppose that it’s good that Fall doesn’t last too long and that it disappears while we still are enjoying it, but I know that by early December, I’m going to be missing it. I just find the present season (ignoring the recent hurricanes) to be a happy time of year and I like it.
I hope that you are having a reasonably happy Autumnal season and that you will find this to be an enjoyable time of year. We are stuck with it, so we might just as well enjoy it, since we don’t have a lot of choice. Don’t spend too much time letting the plethora of campaign advertising get you down. (I find such ads to be quite annoying by now, too.) Do plan to vote, and give your selections some thought, though. Remember that ALL advertising is, properly, called “propaganda” (no matter how many people use that word to try to discredit their opponents’ ads). And, we really need to consider the sources of our information AND the actual FACTS of the situation. NO candidate should be just assumed to be the “best” choice, without considering the actual case for him/her. I think it’s important to listen to what they say and look at what they have, in fact, actually done, when making a decision. I’d suggest that this is a reasonable approach to the challenge of making good election choices.
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to ramble on about something else. I hope you’ll be back to see what I come up with.
🖖🏼 LLAP,
Dr. B
I hope that you are having a reasonably happy Autumnal season and that you will find this to be an enjoyable time of year. We are stuck with it, so we might just as well enjoy it, since we don’t have a lot of choice. Don’t spend too much time letting the plethora of campaign advertising get you down. (I find such ads to be quite annoying by now, too.) Do plan to vote, and give your selections some thought, though. Remember that ALL advertising is, properly, called “propaganda” (no matter how many people use that word to try to discredit their opponents’ ads). And, we really need to consider the sources of our information AND the actual FACTS of the situation. NO candidate should be just assumed to be the “best” choice, without considering the actual case for him/her. I think it’s important to listen to what they say and look at what they have, in fact, actually done, when making a decision. I’d suggest that this is a reasonable approach to the challenge of making good election choices.
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to ramble on about something else. I hope you’ll be back to see what I come up with.
🖖🏼 LLAP,
Dr. B
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