Why Fall is my Favorite Time of Year REMIX

To steal from Jon Christopher of www.stuffchristianslike.net (go there NOW!), since I am inspired by freakishly cool weather for mid-August (a high of 81 today? In North Texas on August 19?), I am going to post a "remix" of one of last years' posting. I call it a remix because while much of it will remain unchanged, I may "update" a few parts (or add comments, or whatever). Enjoy!

Why Fall (aka Autumn) is My Favorite Time of Year

Recently I was asked what my favorite season is. Below are some "haphazard, off-the-cuff" reasons the time from late-September thru late-December is my choice (in no order):


Two words: football (especially when some of the northern games start having snow). And it seems like this year (2008), I am even more geared up than normal, checking out pre-season games, etc.

I love leaves changing colors...where I grew up (Houston) this doesn't happen as much, but in N. Texas it at least happens a bit more, and it's great. So beautiful.

My weekly routine gets more "normalized". Summers are simply CRAZY in my life as a youth minister. Don't read that as "bad" or "unbearable", just crazy... Any personal schedule is basically thrown out due to events happening at all times, several big events to plan and run, etc. Fall in this youth minstry does take alot of planning (maybe more this year than normal with some re-done/new stuff), but still, once September gets rolling, most weeks "look the same"...and it is a welcome change.

My favorite "weather day" is partly cloudy (maybe even a bit overcast at times, but still "bright"), breezy, 40s in the morning and upper 50s and 60s in the day. Clear, cool nights where a fire can be burned. And in 2007, many fires were burned in our upgraded fireplace...looking forward to it again in 08!

I love how the weekly cool/cold fronts start coming down late-Sept., and how the first "real one" knocks high temps into the 70s...and how everyone acts like it's freezing suddenly (sweatshirts, etc.). Ironic thing is within two months, 70s are "hot". And last fall (2007) was warmer than normal...so I'm hoping for a cooler 2008.

My favorite month in general is in the fall: November. Weather is all over the place: sometimes still warm (but not hot), occasional storms, leaves blowing, and even the shot of the true "cold blast", with wintry precip a chance. Nov. also has my fave holiday: Thanksgiving. In addition to the best average weather guarantee of any holiday (to me at least), I love the food, being with family, the football games all weekend, and I also get to usually see my old friends from home. Oh, and as long as Aaron (best childhood friend) is in town, PUNTBALL (I'll explain that sport we created soon..hopefully after I get to play it this year as I don't believe we did in 07...BE IN HOUSTON THIS YEAR, AARON!). And best of all about Thanksgiving to me? The stress of "Christmas time" doesn't seem to exist (I love Christmas, too, but for some reason that is often a stressful time...lots of travel, making sure everyone is "seen", parties to plan, etc.). Turkey Day still retains at least some "laid-backness", even though tons of folks are around.

Baseball Playoffs. I do enjoy baseball, but I love the playoffs. I enjoy few things more than getting home on a cool night, letting the breezes flow through our house (windows open, of course), eating dinner, and watching postseason, INTENSE baseball. I don't even care who the teams are. I will admit that for some reason my 2007 "baseball playoff passion" was a bit more subdued...we'll see about 2008.

I love going to the Castles' (my in-laws) house in the fall. It will be somewhat different this year as the Castle's moved into a new house, but I bet it will still be enjoyable. Jeannetta decorates a ton, it still has a yard with trees, etc.. I love raking big piles of leaves (due to the trees) and letting Jax go crazy in them. Also, one of my fave things to do with Dennis is go in the garage while he's "tinkering around" (and the door is always open), wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, and watching/talking college football (there is a TV out there). That didn't happen much in 07...so hopefully it will more this year.

I get to wear "my uniform" in comfort: jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt. If it's cool enough, I can even wear one of my beanies...

Daylight Savings Time Ends. For some strange reason, I like it being dark at dinner time...well, not too dark (aka if it's been cloudy or rainy a ton...then it's just depressing...)

I get to start watching the Charlie Brown Specials (either on TV or DVD), with no reprocussions. I just love those...and so does Jax. Something about the song "Linus and Lucy" makes my heart smile...reminds me of the innocence of childhood. In fact, if nailed down to truly find the song to represent "me", it would be "Linus and Lucy" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

Halloween is fun again since I have a child now. Plus, one of the great things about Weatherford is a GREAT trick-or-treating street called Lee that is wide, on a slope, with old homes and big porches that get all decorated...HUNDREDS of families out in a safe environment. Whenever we decide to leave Weatherford, that night and street will be one of several things I will truly miss.

Fall colors/decorations. Pumpkins. red/brown/orange/yellows everywhere (I love earthy colors). Candles that smell great (one of my favorite smells is "spice", like pumpkin spice or cinnamon).

You get to start some of the "Christmas Stuff" before the season gets too crazy. Lights, trees, other great smells (another favorite is "pine/christmas tree"). And I LOVE going to places like Garden Ridge Pottery and just walking around the Christmas section (or other stores with huge holiday sections).

MLS Cup in November (hopefully either FC Dallas or Houston Dynamo are in it this year!)

That's all I can think of for now...but I am READY for fall! It's just too warm still...so cold fronts: COME ON DOWN!