Well, here it is: fall. It’s the beginning of school and the end of a scorching hot but mosquito-less summer — perfect conditions according to many. Alas, the hot weather must come to an end; the dreaded days of hard work and studying are on the horizon. How about we take an optimistic look at the change of season? After all it’s always nice to look on the brighter side of life, isn’t it?
For many, September is a fresh start to the year. All through elementary and high school we have been accustomed to seeing new teachers and classmates, to being exposed to fresh ideas and not-yet-boring course work at this time of the year. There is always something exciting about jumping into the unknown, the foggy future.
In fall the weather is extraordinary, the perfect temperature for comfortable outdoor physical activity. Take biking or jogging, for instance. It’s a breeze going through parks and tree-heavy neighbourhoods such as Wolseley or St. Boniface, and it’s a treat for the eyes! All of those famous fall colours of red, orange, yellow and brown add a lot of character to the leaves that fall down like confetti in memory of the waning summer. When the yellow leaves carpet the ground on a sunlit day, hearing them crunch underfoot brings back childhood memories of jumping in piles of raked leaves with friends. Whether or not the sun is shining, we bask in a warm golden glow that seems to emanate from all around. You just can’t go wrong with the weather in autumn!
What if autumn is too cool for your taste? No need to fear, fall fashion has something for everyone. You can finally wear that pair of jeans you got over the summer or that Harry Potter themed scarf you were knitting in gruelling anticipation of the final movie. Now’s the time to wear ’em. The declining sun hasn’t yet reached its teasingly distant winter state, so you won’t need to hide that wicked outfit with a bulky parka and loud swishy ski pants. Plus, all your bargain tweed from those thrift stores is gloriously fitting for the fall season.
We also get to enjoy Thanksgiving and Halloween in fall. Halloween is one of those holidays almost everyone can enjoy. It’s our best excuse to dress up in costumes and consume an excessive amount of candy — who doesn’t like that?
Of course, Manitoba’s own corn maze, with its Halloween-themed seasonal park, is a great place to organize an autumn adventure get-together with friends or even to bring a date! The maze is a casual walking experience, but it can get quiet cold in October, so you might as well stay close to each other, especially while the Haunted Forest adds a bit of “hold my hand” adrenalin to the evening. The corn maze itself is already set up, but the haunted forest opens on the first day of October.
As for Thanksgiving, the leftover-turkey-sandwich lovers of Canada will rejoice come mid October. After all, pumpkin pie with clouds of whipped cream, golden orange in its autumnal splendour, is one of the best reasons to love the season.
Enjoy it while it lasts, winter is coming.
