Happy October! While the retail business is gearing up for the Christmas season with bright decorations and enticing advertisements, I am holding on to Autumn and all its vibrant beauty. The days are crisping up around here, and the fall plants are showing their colors in a stunning array of reds, oranges, and yellows. As the sun sets earlier, the night temperatures are cool, and the early mornings are sometimes bone-chilling, requiring an extra layer before stepping outside. Much needs to be done around here, like overseeding the yard for a lusher green next spring, tidying up the gardens to prepare for winter slumber, and planting bulbs for next spring’s showing, which I can’t help but look forward to; they always bring joy after the long winter months. Weekly, I find myself blowing off the porch and deck, clearing away fallen leaves and remnants of whatever mischievous squirrels leave behind, which seems to be a never-ending chore. There’s also the tedious but necessary cleaning of the pantry, where I methodically discard expired food that has been forgotten about in the back corners, making room for the essentials to stock up for weekends filled with football and baseball on TV, creating the perfect cozy atmosphere. It’s the washing of the heavier blankets that have been stored away, giving them a fresh smell and adding them to the beds in case the recipients get cold in the middle of the night. I also take time to gather items to make treat bags for the children, who aren’t children anymore but still need treats for Halloween because it’s a beloved tradition in our home. As these preparations unfold, I can’t help but wonder, how about you? Do you do anything to get ready for the colder season, or are you so glad that the summer work is almost over that you do nothing in Autumn, letting the season pass by without any special acknowledgment?