Somewhere between last Friday at 2pm and Sunday at 6 the leaves decided to morph from their summer green to magnificent oranges, yellows, magentas, and reds. When I realized this (again, Sunday at 6pm), I just couldn't help but be overwhelmed with excitement. Fall is finally here! It is the season that gives the Midwest serious bragging rights (because honestly, who would want to be anywhere else?) as it encompasses everything great about this place- farms, barns, corn, hayrack rides, changing leaves, barn dances, bonfires, and award-winning Haunted Houses (you'd better believe it). Every year I so look forward to this season that will forever and always be my absolute favorite.
It is the season that somehow makes everyone want to be a country boy or girl- even the most unbelieving of the farming lifestyle. Somehow all girls find the need to get in touch with the flannel side of their wardrobe, while boys can be seen wearing grungier clothing as well. It is the season that is "All-American," with classic rituals like attending high school and college football games, apple picking, Halloween, and, of course, THANKSGIVING!
Yes. Thanksgiving. The mother of all American holidays. The one where thousands of calories are consumed in a matter of hours and without the slightest hesitation. Days upon days are spent celebrating this event, with classic "Fall-Type" rituals leading up to the actual day where the term "over indulgence" takes on a whole new meaning. Where I am from, it is also not uncommon to have multiple Thanksgivings, which include celebrating with friends, family, closer family, and significant others. I think I even had a 3-Thanksgiving year once. I didn't eat for a week afterwards.
But, let me not get too ahead of myself. Another significant holiday, though lesser in scale, includes one of costumes and candy- HALLOWEEN. This is a holiday that requires a month's worth of celebrating. With horror movie marathons running constantly on Cable T.V., pumpkin patches dwindling due to eager children, and Haunted Houses open the whole month of October, one cannot help but get in the spooky mood. People from all ages enjoy the ritual of figuring out their costume for the year- with college students being the craziest (why a "sexy" strawberry shortcake?).
So, as you can see, Fall is super, super great. What is a girl to do during the greatest 6-week period of the whole year?? The answer is simple- drink apple cider. And take pictures- lots and lots of pictures (shown below for your own enjoyment).
