Contest at She Who Blogs
Today, while visiting Michelle’s blog, Bleeding Espresso, I found out about the She Who Blogs: Three Signs of Fall Contest. Here’s the deal: Post a photo that says ‘fall’ to you, then blog about the 3 signs of autumn in your part of the world. The deadline is today, alas, so I am barely squeaking by. Better late than never, eh?
3 signs of Autumn in North Texas
Autumn equinox came and went in north Texas, but it still felt like summer despite what the calendar said. Fall didn’t arrive until Texas was good and ready, and when it showed up, there was nothing subtle about it. One day we had sunny skies and temps in the 90’s. The next morning, it was gray, rainy and at least 30 degrees cooler. I confirmed fall’s arrival by using a word I hadn’t uttered in months: brrr!
Autumn sign number one: My neighborhood is changing
In summer, no one in north Texas wants to cook inside. As I mentioned yesterday, we even cooked eggs on our sidewalk – easily! Our neighborhood nearly always smells like barbecue during the hottest months. When I step outside now, I smell burning leaves and wood stoves, and I see more neighbors out in their yards. The cool weather has made us all quite industrious. I notice more garage sales, house maintenance, and ‘spring’ cleaning now that it’s more comfortable to be outside.
Autumn sign number two: My routines are changing
I have swapped out big brimmed sun hats for colorful wool berets, flip flop sandals for closed-toe shoes and socks, and am neglecting the ice cube maker in favor of hot beverages.
Autumn sign number three: Nature is changing
The oak trees are shedding leaves and acorns, caterpillars are spinning cocoons, and birds are flocking up for their fall migration. Flying insects hover around the perimeter of our house looking for places to hibernate for the winter.
Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. I enjoy the nesty feeling that comes with preparing for winter, and the promise of cozy evenings spent reading by the fire. As the year winds down and the days grow shorter, I find myself plotting and planning and feeling optimistic about the future.
Check out She Who Blogs: Three Signs of Fall Contest to see how other people know that fall has fallen where they live.
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
Love those shoes! Every girl should own red shoes.
Hi Brook! Thanks for stopping by. :) Y’know, I wasn’t sure about buying red shoes, ‘cuz I didn’t know if I’d wear them much, but they go with lots of things, and they’re so comfy! ~Tui
Great photo and post. You have such an excellent eye.
After reading, your post stayed on my screen, over in its little tab. I read it and thought “yes!” But I wanted to comment. Not just comment, but contribute in a quality manner. Nothing. So I went away and got on with my morning. But the little tab stayed open. I came back and grinned at your red shoes. And contemplated how fall is my favorite season of the year. For nearly identical reasons to those you mentioned. Nothing clever or illuminating ever came. You’ve summed it up. There is nothing to add. Fall in all its glory is gloriously encapsulated here. Perfectly. Just like the season itself.
Melody: Sometimes I never end up posting a comment for that very reason! Thanks so much for your comments. :)
Michelle: Thanks, Miss Fabio! And thanks for cluing me in about this contest. :) Btw, the shoes are super comfy, as well as cute.
Annika: Good luck to you, too, and thanks for visiting my blog. :)
Love this, Tui — and I especially love those shoes!
Great post Tui! Thank you for visiting my blog, good luck in the competition! :)
Love the photo! You may not know this about me, but I love shoes, and I love Fall, so your photo is PERFECT! ;-)
Thank you for stopping by my blog as well. Good luck in the contest!
Thanks for checking out my blog, Karina & Michelle.
Karina: Fall is a great time for shoe shopping, don’t you think? I’m big on stockings – gotta have nice warm stockings to go with those shoes this time of year.
Michelle: I bet it’s chilly up in Ohio! The bugs down here are big. I miss the fireflies I used to see in Ohio. Those are my favorite insects…
~Tui
Great picture and I have to agree with your signs. We see the bugs looking for places to hibernate here in Ohio as well. Thanks for stopping by. Good Luck.
love the photo!
fall is glorious!
love to you,
gail
Thanks, Gail! Fall is glorious! You are glorious! Love back atcha and thanks for swinging by. :) ~Tui