If you had asked me two years ago which was my favourite season, I am not sure I would have had an answer for you. I would have probably mentioned the hopefulness of Spring and the warmth of Summer. I may have commented on the seasons in Scotland blurring into one; the reality of the seasons being far from literary imaginings.
Then I moved to New England and fell in love with Fall.
The seasons here are distinct.
Spring, bright and full of hope; Summer, hot and happy. Winter, harsh.
But Autumn? Autumn is crisp days; reds and golds; hats and scarves; brisk walks; seeing your breath; welly boots and puddles; retreating indoors for hot chocolate and cosy cuddles. It may not have the overt promise of Spring or the languid indulgence of Summer. But, it is beautiful and invigorating and golden.
It is bright trees against an azure sky and walking through a blanket of crunchy leaves.
It is colour, from the prettiest of pinks to the brightest of golds to the richest of reds. Flaming oranges and vibrant yellows.
I cling to these fresh, blue sky days as I know that Autumn will be followed by stark, skeletal branches against grey skies. By frigid air, heavy with the smell of snow.
The colours are captivating. The quality of the light; that streams through branches, making leaves glow; is dazzling. The bright, clear days enlivening. I feel enriched and restored.
As I write this, the leaves have begun to fall in earnest, and many trees have already lost their leaves entirely. Silhouettes of branches have started to replace the vibrant, dense colours.
So, for now I will let the last of the colour warm me, commit the beauty of the trees to memory, to sustain me through the greyscale of winter.
As the land becomes dormant for Winter, expectant of Spring, it is a time to reflect and look forward. To rest, conserve and plan.
Fall, rich and colourful, beautiful and bold; an ending and a beginning.
You can find this weeks #ThePrompt linky here. I do hope this prompt inspired you; I look forward to reading your posts.
Autumn in New England sounds so beautiful and your photos of all the leaves and the colours have been gorgeous. I like Autumn too but it is always tinged with sadness that the summer is over and winter will soon be here.
I’m not surprised you’ve fallen in love with The Fall living in New England. I was there 6 years ago at the time of year and it really was stunningly beautiful, the colours were amazing. A couple of my friends are out there now on our school exchange and the pictures they’ve been posting on FB are gorgeous.
xx
Autumn is my favourite season too and that’s just living in England! New England looks amazing! We’ve had the perfect autumn here so far this year… An Indian summer, so it’s been warm but with the added beauty of autumn colours. You’ve captured the feeling of the season perfectly here. Xx
Sounds like a fab place to live lovely. I agree that Autumnm is full of fabulous possibilities :-) Sorry for not joining in again, hopefully next week xx
This is why New England has always been the area in the states I want to visit most. The autumn just seems much more vibrant and distinct. Gorgeous leaves xx
I love Autumn too, the colours are just so stunning, nature really shows what she can do during Autumn.
This is really lovely. An American autumn described so beautifully – I could feel it. I’m also craving a mug of hot chocolate!
Lovely post, Sara. X
I like your optimistic take on autumn. Otherwise, it is always the dread of darkness and cold, long nights. To think of it as a season of reflection is beautiful.
Just lovely. Beautiful words for a beautiful season. I do hope the Winter isn’t as bad as predicted either side of the pond though. Makes for pretty pictures but not much else!
Fall/autumn is simply stunning in New England! You’ve reminded me of the glorious red landscapes when I went to Amherst in MA long ago. But I do still love summer best of all.
So beautifully written Sara – just gorgeous! I am very jealous of your New England fall. I have always wanted to visit, and Autumn is absolutely my favourite season. Perhaps some day! Xx
As much as I like summer, I do love the beauty of autumn’s colours. Fall in New England is supposed to be especially spectacular, so I’m not surprised you love it so much! Got to love a warming hot chocolate, too :-) xx #sharewithme
Hello there, this is wonderful, and what a beautifully written post to share. Autumn is my favourite season here let alone over there! We were hoping to get out there to see it this year but will be heading to New England next year! x #sharewithme
I love the beginning of Autumn for that reason, all the gorgeous colours and different shades of reds and goldens. I don’t like the cold or wind really but since I’ve started taking more pics I do appreciate it all a bit more!
It sounds fantastic! The language you have used here is very poetic and romantic, absolutely divine. x
Wow Sara, you’ve transported me there… I can just imagine the leaves falling around me. I’ve always wanted to visit New England and imagined going there in autumn. Your enticing words have just convinced me now! #sharewithme
Autumn, or ‘fall’ as the American’s say, has always been one of my favourite times of year too, but like you I think when you’re surrounded by countryside you notice even more the ever changing colours, the true beauty of nature and the multi-coloured landscape. I have never been to New England but your photos and images described in your words make it sound very attractive!
#ThePrompt xx
Oh Sara I couldn’t agree more with you. The colors the freshness its all so beautiful. You have wrote it truly magnificent. I love this. Just made me smile. ( I also shared a link to it on my #littleloves post today ) ;) thanks for linking up to Share With Me Hope you enjoy your trip back to the UK with no kiddos!!! :)
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I love Autumn too, and I’ve heard that New England Autumns are spectacular. And what a beautiful photo :) x