Fall Breezes and Autumn Leaves

Fall is the peak season for pumpkin spice everything. The flavor is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.

Fall, also known as autumn, is one of the most cherished seasons of the year. As the weather turns crisp and the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, the very essence of the season exudes a sense of warmth and comfort.

But there is much more to fall than just beautiful scenery and pumpkin spice lattes. Here are a few fascinating things you never knew about fall.

Fall isn’t just a season; it’s also a verb. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “to fall” means “to change from a higher to a lower position, typically rapidly and without control.”

The word autumn comes from the French word “automne,” which comes in turn from the Latin word “autumnus.”

The autumnal equinox marks the official beginning of fall each year. It occurs around the 22nd or 23rd of September in the Northern Hemisphere and the 20th or 21st of March in the Southern Hemisphere.

The autumnal equinox is the day when the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator, causing equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the globe.

Fall is the season of harvest. It’s traditionally the time when farmers gather their crops and prepare for the coming winter.

The first day of fall (the autumnal equinox) is also known as Mabon, which is a pagan holiday celebrating the harvest and the balance between light and darkness.

The colors of fall foliage are caused by pigments in the leaves. Chlorophyll, which is responsible for the green color of leaves during the spring and summer, breaks down in the fall, revealing orange and yellow pigments that were always present but masked by the green.

The red color in fall foliage comes from a pigment called anthocyanin, which is produced when the chlorophyll breaks down. The intensity of the red color depends on temperature and light conditions.

The reason leaves fall off trees in the fall is to conserve water. Trees lose water through their leaves, so dropping them in the fall helps the tree survive the harsh winter months when water is scarce.

Fall is the best time for apple picking. It’s estimated that there are approximately 7,500 different varieties of apples, and fall is when most of them are ripe.

The traditional Halloween colors of orange and black have symbolic meaning. Orange represents the harvest and autumn, while black represents death and darkness.

The first recorded celebration of Halloween was in Ireland in the 16th century. It was called Samhain and was celebrated on November 1st. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, which was often associated with death.

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed in at over 2,600 pounds. It was grown in Belgium in 2016.

In the United States, fall is also known as football season. The first college football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and Rutgers.

The term “Indian summer” refers to a period of unseasonably warm weather in the fall. The phrase was originally coined by early American settlers who observed that Native Americans often made use of the warm weather to hunt and gather before winter set in.

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It’s a day to give thanks for the blessings of the year and is often celebrated with a feast of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

In Japan, the fall season is celebrated with the traditional festival of Tsukimi, or moon-viewing. It’s a time to appreciate the beauty of the full moon and to celebrate the arrival of the fall harvest.

Fall is considered the “shoulder season” for travel. It’s the period between the high season of summer and the low season of winter, making it a great time to travel and

avoid crowds.

The French word for fall, “l’automne,” is also the name of a popular perfume created by the French fashion house Chanel.

Fall is a popular season for weddings. The mild weather and beautiful scenery make it an ideal time for outdoor ceremonies.

The tradition of carving pumpkins for Halloween originated in Ireland. Originally, turnips were used, but when Irish immigrants came to America, they discovered that pumpkins were easier to carve.

The fall season has been romanticized in literature and film. Classic works such as Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 73” and films like “When Harry Met Sally” celebrate the beauty and nostalgia of the season.

The smell of fall is a real thing. It’s caused by the release of chemicals from decaying leaves and other organic matter.

During the fall season, the Earth’s gravitational pull is stronger, which is why we feel heavier and more grounded.

Fall is a season full of surprises and changes. From the changing colors of leaves to the appearance of mushrooms and fungi, there is much to discover about this beautiful season.

By learning more about the subtle nuances of fall, we can better appreciate the unique qualities that make this time of year so special. So, take a deep breath and embrace the crisp air, the beautiful colors, and the abundance of all that fall has to offer!