The topic this week was chosen because it’s a light topic, and all three of us are in the middle of very heavy work loads.  Mom (Kay) is recovering from shoulder surgery… by continuing to do all of the requirements of her job as full-time teacher and superintendent and lunch lady.  Bria is nearing finals in her three masters-level courses -  which means lots of projects coming due – while working full time.  And I am in the time of year when every Saturday is spent with students at some kind of competition. 

    Besides, who doesn’t love fall?  At the first sign of cool weather, the sweatshirts and sweaters begin appearing, everything we eat and drink is flavored “pumpkin spice,” and curling up on the sofa to read a good book or watch a football game is Sunday standard behavior.  For a season that precedes winter’s “death,” autumn sure is beloved.

    What is our fascination?  Is it the warm, earthy colors of fall?  Is it the traditional baked goods? Tailgating?  Leggings with boots?  Just what makes us love this time of year so much?

    Before this season was called “fall” or “autumn,” it was called “harvest” because it was the time between August and November during which farmers harvested their crops to make it through the long winter.  Maybe that’s the reason we like it so much.  Maybe we’re “harvesting.”  I offer:  Bria is approaching finals, the culmination of a semester’s work, packaged up and ready for evaluation.  My students have spent hours and hours preparing for competitions, and now – in fall – they will “harvest” that work and see if it is sufficient for success.  I could apply the harvesting analogy to Mom’s shoulder injury, but I’d probably get in trouble… so I won’t go there! 

     While we dread the prep work for that harvest, there is something fulfilling about actually doing the harvesting.  It’s like a last final push and a big “how did I do?” before a well-deserved winter’s break.  Happy harvesting to you and yours! 

-        Michelle