The best time of year

I have always loved autumn, for me it is the best time of the year. Spring has its freshness and signs of new life, summer is just fabulous and winter is well, necessary and has its own charm (in spite of the cold), but Autumn is the tops them all.

The crisp air is fresh, the rain holds a hint of the winter to come, the sky is that brilliant blue (when its not steel gray on those quiet foggy days), mornings are dark and quiet and evenings come earlier each day. The colors, the smells, the contrasts work in concert toward the inevitable - that first frost, the first snow and the beginning of winter.

We were surprised to find this pumpkin at our usual food market, marked as a 'Halloween Pumpkin' - this particular American tradition doesn't translate well it seems; not having ever seen one of this size for sale and not being sure we'd find another, we brought it home. I am certain it won't last until the end of October, but we will enjoy it while it lasts.