Autumn

01/09/2012 08:44

Autumn is a time when leaves start falling from the trees. A time to collect food for the harvest. When Apples are rosy and crisp to eat. When Squirrels gather nuts to tuck away for the Winter.

Some people call autumn, "fall," which refers to the leaves falling off the trees during this season. The falling of the leaves begins when the leaves change colours and go from being green, to burning red, golden yellow and vivid orange. Then as autumn continues, the leaves begin to rain from the tree branches signifying the end of the harvest time.


The history of autumn began with the time of harvest for folk who worked and depended on farming to survive. Autumn was even called "harvest" in the 1500s because this was when fruits and vegetables were ready to be picked and stored for the winter. Folk had to store foods so they would not starve when the winter came. So, the season of autumn was an important time of year.


Some holidays that fall during the time of autumn are Thanksgiving and Halloween. We celebrate Thanksgiving to give thanks for the sharing of the harvest. Halloween is a time where people decorate pumpkins into jack o'lanterns, and make displays of cornhusks and hay bales, also celebrating the harvest time of year.


Autumn in England is a time to go in search of Conkers.
Conkers are typically harvested in early autumn. The usual method is to find a good conker tree in a park, then stand under it throwing sticks up into the branches hoping this will knock a few of those green spiky pods to the ground! Well, I don't do that, it quite dangerous! I think Its better to find conkers on the ground, as the ones on the tree probably won't be ready anyway. Anyone fancy a game of Conkers?   Read All About Conkers.  


Cobnuts which grow in Britain, are a type of hazelnut. 
Children played an early version of “conkers” with hazelnuts; the game was called cobnut, and the winning nut the cob.




I love fall! Fall is exciting.
It's apples and cider.
It's an airborne spider.
It's pumpkins in bins.
It's burrs on dog's chins.
It's wind blowing leaves.
It's chilly red knees.
It's nuts on the ground.
It's a crisp dry sound.
It's green leaves turning
And the smell of them burning.
It's clouds in the sky.
It's fall. That's why...
I love fall.

 Author Unknown




A tangerine and russet cascade
Of kaleidoscopic leaves
Creates a tapestry of autumn magic
Upon the emerald carpet of fading summer.


Judith A. Lindberg, Shades of Autumn

 

D.Moss