Feels Like Fall
No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring.
– Samuel Johnson
In improvisation, one of our exercises is a game called “Seven Things,” in which we go around in a circle giving each other the challenge, “Give me seven things that [whatever].” We are not going to go around in a circle here, but if you’re drawn to lists, this prompt is for you.
So, give me seven tastes or scents that define autumn for you.
- Ozone. Autumn rain smells sharper than the rain we get in summer.
- Smoke. It’s not quite time yet, here in Texas, but once the evening temperatures dip lower than 63 on a routine basis, fireplaces are put to use once more.
- Squash. Fall brings pumpkins into vogue, of course, but it also means a return to hardier squash: acorn, butternut, spaghetti, instead of crookneck and zucchini. I love both the scent and the flavor of harvest squash.
- Apple cider. Sure, it’s available all year round, but it’s only in autumn that you can visit a fair or festival for freshly pressed cider. Sweetened or not, hard or not, with or without cinnamon, chilled or steamed, cider is the one thing that really means that summer is waning, at least for me.
- Soup. I love soup. Once the weather begins to turn, it becomes my habit to make soups and stews on the weekend. There’s nothing like something warm and spicy bubbling on the stove or in the crockput, available whenever either of us takes a break from whatever project we’re puttering with.
- Heat. I know heaters and furnaces aren’t supposed to have scents, but after a summer of disuse, there’s still a dusty musty smell the first few times we have the heat on in the mornings. It should trigger allergies, but somehow it smells comforting, instead.
- Caramel corn. I don’t eat it very often, but there’s something really warming about the buttery/sweet/salty scent and flavor of caramel corn, especially when it’s combined with a rainy day and a great movie.
Written on 21 September 2008, for the Anniversary Project at Cafe Writing.
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As I piloted the bike home through threatening weather this afternoon, I found myself thinking similar thoughts, about how autumn has its own smells. The cold wind definitely smelled different than it had earlier this week when the sun was out and I wore shorts in 70+ degree weather.
My mind’s churning again. But you already knew that, as it often does that after I’ve visited here. Thanks for the creative kick.
I think that smell of the heater triggers good memories because it’s something that keeps us warm and comfortable all winter long!