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I have had so many adventures and awesome memories of Autumn during my lifetime. Throughout my travels to many parts of the world, I have found this season to be welcomed everywhere,  so it is natural that what I write now are the auspicious and not so auspicious  moments during this time of year.

Autumn is one of my favorite periods for it is colorful the world over. In the US the leaves are beginning to change, the cool, dry air just cries out for smores ( gramcrackers, choclate and marshmellows roasted on an open fire in the back yard. They always taste best when friends join in the gooey fun.  I am not much for handing out treats at Halloween, yet this occasion brings back a flood of memories when it was safe to go about the neighborhood to collect -during my time- regualr sized candy bars, and some nickles. The early evening gave us time to collect the last batch of fireflies, play a few more games of "peggy move up" : baseball, or as I grew older, attend the highschool football games. My family was not nor is it still not big. It consisted of one brother, four older male cousins, and my parents. Organizations kept me busy: Job's Daughters, Girl Scouts and numerous school groups such as band, library, latin and French clubs. 

I played the trumpet from fourth grade to 11th grade. Why? I have no idea! I was not even good, but I did fill a space in the marching band and I got to wear the band uniform. The roasted marshmellows most often were burned to a crisp because I would get impatient. Sitting for more than 3 minutes slowly turning the white ball around until it was golden seemed and still seems like a waste of time. My most favorite thing was walking in the woods on and off nature trails.

I still love to do tIhat and today, on our four acres we have made winding trails through the hard woods. The ground is covered with pine needles and flowering shrubs as well as home to at least 30 plus varieties of birds, lots of squirrels. several deer and an occasional coyote or small fox.  As the leaves fall and the neighbors burn the piles of leaves,  I  recall  playing in those piles of leaves and going on hay rides. Actually I don't remember where we went for we lived in the suburbs far away from any farm, but we did go.

Now, however, I have had new experiences during this time of year in another country. I love going and living  in India. After the monsoons are over, the weather is a little cooler, the grounds are multi shades of green from  the water that saturated them. The pujas come fast after August. Women visit their mothers and festivities abound. Ganesha is everywhere and parades lead him to the water: oceans, rivers and streams for good luck. The nine days of Durga Puja have separate festivities every three days and keeping up is problematical, yet fasinating to a foreigner.

I think the best of the Autumn holiday India is Diwali. I love seeing lights literally drapping the homes, parks and businesses all over India. Families and friends gather to wish each other well for the new year. New clothing is a special gift and so many weddings take place during this time. 

By the time mid November is over, a new season is getting ready to take its rightful place. the world is clothed in a different hue, the trees are often barren, and the land becomes hard.  This is a fun time for many, and there are numerous memories here too - but Autumn is, by far,  the best.