Reflections on Quarantine | The Advent of a New Season

We all have our favorite time of year. Some live for summer. Others look forward to winter and the holidays. But in my opinion, nothing beats fall.

Fall is about colorful foliage and crunching leaves. It’s about football games and tailgates. It’s about cool-weather clothing and crisp mornings. It’s about pumpkin lattes and hearty meals. Fall is about enjoying the fresh air and slower pace.

The air is different when summer is coming to an end. Even on those hot Indian summer days, it feels different. The trees are starting to change, the light is different, the days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping to 15 and 20 degrees.

I was born in October and got married in October. My first child was born in the fall. So fall is a time of big milestones in my life, but I think my love for it has more to do with the fact that it’s a transition from the hyperactive, outdoor summer to the confined winter.

In the Midwest, we savor every minute of sunshine and warmth, but by the time August ends, I’m ready to welcome a new season and a slower pace. Fall is more laid back.

When my kids were young, the beginning of fall meant the start of the school year and trips to Target to buy school supplies and clothes to replace the ones they outgrew over the summer.

Today, as an empty-nester mom, the seasonal change is more subtle. Summer activities and clubs are scaling back. My Wednesday morning golf league has shifted to later tee times as we play a few fall rounds—hunting for stray balls that settle under the falling leaves. It’s also nice to postpone the early morning dog walk until later in the day without having to worry about the heat stressing us both out.

If spring is all about “cleansing,” fall is all about getting ready for the gradual transition to a fresher lifestyle. It’s during these months that I make my “fall adjustments.”

This includes a wardrobe refresh, where I sort through the clothes I’ve been holding onto for too long. It’s also the most dangerous season for me when it comes to clothing shopping, as fall ushers in a much-needed wardrobe change. It’s time to swap out sandals for cute boots and swap out sundresses and shorts for jeans and leggings. I’m ready to wear sleeves again. And long pants. And my embarrassing collection of plaid shirts.

Outside, I empty the flower pots of petunias and vines and replace them with fall-loving chrysanthemums. I bring in the outdoor cushions and clean the deck and porch. In the kitchen, I examine my spice rack and toss out the oddly old containers—some embarrassingly dated.

I do the same thing for the pantry and fridge. It’s time to transition the kitchen to recipes suited to cooler weather. Which brings me to one of my favorite features of fall: food.

While I enjoy the occasional pumpkin chai latte, fall flavors aren’t limited to the ubiquitous squash. I love the seasonal change in the produce aisle. Chunky tomatoes and sweet corn lose their front row seats, replaced by bags of crisp apples and varieties of squash.

The sweet apple cider donuts are a no-brainer as soon as customers enter the store. They’re impossible to pass up, and why not treat yourself? After all, it’s a fall ritual. There are miniature pumpkins and squashes, as well as dried corn stalks. It all has a festive feel to it.

It’s the season for hearty meals. Time for meatloaf, pasta, and copious amounts of chili. Meals that don’t show up in the summer heat. I’m stocking up on ingredients for slow cooker recipes instead of light summer dishes.

And hello, baking season! I have my pumpkin bread recipe memorized and the loaf pan is ready to go. After a long summer of outdoor grilling, my oven is feeling a little neglected.

Soon I’ll be heading to Curtis Orchard, where I’ll wander the outdoor attractions and peruse the tempting offerings inside the market. As always, I’ll end up buying bags of apples as well as various soup mixes, cider, and other treats. And of course, a selection of pumpkins and pumpkin-themed treats. It just wouldn’t be fall without them.

Here’s your chance to savor the beauty of the season. Hello, fall!

Here are some fall favorites from readers:

Dori Levanti:

“Illini football game days! Reuniting with family and friends is so much fun! We especially enjoy seeing our old college friends on back-to-school weekend.”

Tish Stanner:

“Sweatshirts and jeans. Fall colors and all things pumpkin.”

Kim Hubbard:

“Autumn reminds me to embrace change and all the beauty that comes with it.”

Sue Staples:

“I like long shadows, warm sunny days with cooler mornings. It reminds me of football and fireplaces… it makes me want to read and think more. I prepare for winter with sweaters and hot chocolate.”

James Beberman:

“Fall has something to offer. A crispness in the air. Colorful trees. Illini football. Caramel apples. Halloween. Burning leaves (once upon a time).”