It's hard to believe that it is October 1st already. Fall is in full swing. The leaves are painting the countryside with various shades red, orange and gold. The garden has born its last few vegetables for this year. The pesty little squirrels are scurrying about for nuts and other bits and pieces to stockpile for the winter, hopefully not in my garage again this year, though.
Car and truck trailers that hauled boats and other water craft just a few weeks ago have given way to snow blowers and arctic cats. Canoe and kayak carriers on roof racks are slowly being replaced by one to hold skis and snow boards.
From the beginning of October to the end of December, the weeks are filled with holidays and special days. I can still picture Christopher Columbus on October 12th, anchored off the coast of somewhere, waiting to get permission from the harbor master to moor the fleet so he can beginning his Christmas shopping at Kohl's.It's 30% you know!
By the middle of the month, the Halloween candy is already on sale. Halloween. What a strange holiday. It's that one time of the year we can dress up and look frightful. Looked at yourself in the mirror lately? That may not be a costume you see. It's least a great time to stock up on candy for next few months.
Not yet an official holiday, there is the season of 'deer camp', when razors are put aside, the refrigerator is stocked with beer and young boys listen to the exploits and tales of the elders, you know, about that big old buck that got away. ( The Red Sox have gotten into beard thing but I don't think it's for deer hunting!)
Veteran's Day, November 11th, remains a day that our nation remembers those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy as a society today. Unfortunately, each year more names are added to lists of those killed or injured. Will the world ever become a place where people stop seeking reasons to destroy each other? (That may apply to the two party system in the U.S. as well!)
By now many stores have replaced the 'summer sale items' with a mixture of fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The aisles are filled with the reds and greens of the holiday decor.
There are many accepted explanations of the origin of the red and the green for the Christmas season. The simple version, taken from the stories of Christianity, is that green represented eternal life while red was the symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. Remember that?
A sure sign of the holiday season is the content of my mailbox, filled daily with catalogs and fliers. The most recent catalogs announce the pre-Christmas pre-sales. I assume we can anticipate a 'Christmas Sale and a post- Christmas Sale too. (And don't forget the free shipping, if ordered by December 23.)
One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong. I have always enjoyed Christmas, especially as a child. That enjoyment continues as I watch the children and grandchildren each Christmas morning. I guess Christmas really is about children.
But, Thanksgiving has a much different message. For the turkey, I'm not sure the message is all that memorable, but for me, it really is an opportunity for reflection. Now, I know there is the “Let us give thanks” theme or “Do we really have to invite Uncle Harry? He is such a slob!” concern. It does seem to be the one holiday within 'the season' where there is not the fury of opening presents or the hubbub of rushing to the mall for the last minute gift, although those Christmas sales start earlier and earlier each year.. So what if the turkey isn't quite done on time? Maybe we just need to sit back and enjoy the fellowship.
Before long, the ground will be covered in a blanket of fresh white snow, Thanksgiving and Christmas 2013 will be a memory and before we know it, the seed catalogs will be in the mail.
Ah...sweet Spring.
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