“I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” so said Anne of “Anne of Green Gables.” We agree. It happens to be our favorite month too. It is the perfect transition month between last days of summer and beginning of the descent into winter.
Yes, we have personally turned off the national news, stopped hanging on every word about the economy and inflation, vaccines, and what is happening in Washington. We need a reboot. And we get the sense that many others do as well. There will be plenty to say about politics and local doings in the coming weeks.
If you are a sports fan there is no better month. The World Series goes to bat later this month. The NFL has already kicked off. And the NBA is scoring points on television. There is no shortage of opportunities to spend the weekend watching your favorite teams compete. We are just sorry that even though the New York Mets had their best season since 1988, their post season drive to the World Series does not look promising, but there is also next year for Greenwich’s Steve Cohen and his team.
For us, however, October is not about what we do inside, but out. It seems like our family spends more time outside in October than almost any other month. Our internal clocks sense the approaching winter and months inside, so if the weather is nice, we sprint to take advantage of it.
On a moment’s notice we might call an audible and have everyone in the family grab a book and escape to our favorite place in town overlooking Long Island Sound. The sea grasses are just beginning to take on golden hues from the cool night air. and the trees on the islands are creating a kaleidoscope of colors. A little time with a book instead of an electronic device is a good thing.
There is something magical about Greenwich in October. Mother Nature takes her time as she paints her masterpiece of maples, oaks, walnuts, hickories (to name a few) beginning their metamorphosis from summer greens to winter hibernation. The process is ever changing and unfolding over the next month. Take time to visit the Audubon, or drive from the backcountry to the shoreline and witness them for yourself as you look over the fields and woods.
The air feels different, crisper, cleaner as well. It no longer has the oppression of summer lethargy. It helps quicken the pace and our desire to accomplish more outdoors. The days have shortened dramatically which also adds to our want to do more. If this were the 1800s, we imagine we would be feverishly putting up preserves and provisions to carry us through the winter.
Because the air is so filled with smells it feels charged with anticipation. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” In a sense that is true. As we approach the end of the year it is only natural that we are beginning to plan for the holidays and what the New Year will bring. However, we want to hold onto October a bit more first. We will leave the planning for November and beyond.
The above-mentioned quote from “Anne of Green Gables” continues: “it would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it? Look at these maple branches. Don’t they give you a thrill – several thrills?”
There is plenty of time to plug back in and stress about what is happening in the world later. For now, enjoy October and all she offers. Have a thrill. Have several thrills.
