The Colors of Fall and Halloween Fun

October brought fall, a season that I hadn't experienced in two years of living in China. Brian, one of the original Panzhihua 4, shared how it was his favorite season while we were abroad. I seemed to have forgotten all the things I loved about fall till I looked out my bedroom one morning and hit me with breathtaking beauty that had snuck up on me with such subtleness that it nearly knocked me over.


My parents property has always been the epitome of beauty, the seasons telling of itself in the trees, unable to hide even the slightest change. One has to watch closely, because when eyes are averted, if even for minutes it sometimes seems, things change in the largest proportions that leaves one in disbelief.


The colors here seem more rich than elsewhere, maybe because of the love affair with time, of knowing the earth so personally here in a way that I know no other.

With the coming and meandering of fall came my ever growing (even after continuous completions) 'Soak-Up Americana' list. Back in China I started compiling a list of things that I wanted to experience once back in America for fear of forgetting all to easily the things and experiences that I craved, once again falling into the trap of taking all that home has to offer for granted.

I spent at least one day a week, if not a few, heading out to Marengo Ridge, a park about fifteen minutes away from my place with trails that wrap around and through the wilderness, a place that is tucked away and often forgotten about. I've gone to get out, soak in sun, and breath in the air. I love the smell and the sound of the leaves as they are kicked up by shuffling feet mesmerizes me. It's a spot that I love sharing, reminding people of, and introducing them to. A place that holds memories that I still hear whisperings of carried on the breeze between the trees.

And then quickly came Halloween, with mist hoovering above dew soaked grass, making a known land look mystical. The leaves started falling more rapidly, in places covering the entire ground in yellows, reds, and golds. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, and dressing in costume were all in order, and so I went to task as best as I could. I went with Gran to an orchard, picking up cider, yummy donuts, and mouth-watering apple butter. A week or so later I ventured out with Lyd to her favorite orchard to take in all things fall. The aroma of freshly baked cider donuts made me hungry, not to mention the countless other goodies that were set-up everyone one looked.

Back at my place, pumpkin carving commenced. Over an old, plastic table cloth, Lydia and I went to work, first cutting the whole in the top and then scraping out the seeds. The goo is the trickiest part for me. I hate the stuff. It brings out my gag reflex like nothing else. Just one feel of the slimy grossness and... ugh, excuse me. So I use a spoon to scrap it all away then turn it upside down and beat on the gourd to get everything out. Lyd, on the other hand, totally hardcore, going at it and even saving the seeds.

Soon we were both carving, me feeling like my imagination was failing me, all jack-o-lantern creativity long gone. I continued though, bound and determined to have something that would glow with the light of a candle by the end. Skills lacking, it was fun cutting into the pumpkin, seeing what would transpire. As soon as Lyd and I finished, we grabbed candles, lit them, placed the candles inside, and turned off the lights. My pumpkin wasn't impressive in the least, but I still ahh'd in the magic that seemed to emit from it's core.




Before I knew it, I was trying like mad to think of costumes. I wanted a great costume, my last one of a cat and the one prior as a hippy, flower child, not the most amazing of ideas. So I started making a list, came up with what I thought were great ideas, only to realize they would be too hard to make or that others would just simply not get them. And so put off by my indecisiveness, I didn't have a costume till the day of my friend's party when I was rummaging through Mom's stuff downstairs and found an old hospital gown. At first I tried it on with a set of angel wings I had from years ago, the idea of being a fallen angel being the end goal. It was okay, but I wanted something more. With the wings off and the gown still on, an idea came to my head, and before I knew it I was out the door and heading to the next town to find a fake butt. I never would have thought that I would ever be asking anyone for one of those in a store!


Michelle's party was a hoot, complete with jello shots in syringes that had one guy telling me every hour that I needed more medicine. What is a patient to do?