This is one of two days in a calendar year when the length of day and night are the same. In my neck of the woods, the official time is 5:51 EDT this morning. From here on, the nights will be getting longer.
Like most people, I’m typically more active in the daytime. This year the weather feels more like mid-summer, so it’s easier to get out and explore at night. Here are a few other ways to enjoy the transition from summer to fall:
1. Visit Your Local Farmer. This is officially harvest season. I never tire of the taste of fresh-picked tomatoes, corn - any veggie or fruit really tastes better when allowed to ripen and picked when ready to eat.
2. Notice the First Autumn Leaves. The landscape is still 95% green, but the highlights of red on tupelo trees or the tops of maple crowns are like previews for coming attractions.
3. Hike with a Forager. Just like the farm, the wild places are abundant. I’ve been nibbling on wild grapes and apples. Autumn mushroom season has begun. I’m looking forward to learning the honey mushroom.
4. Prepare Food for Storage. As the growing season ends, there will be more produce that we can eat. Parboiling and freezing is a safe and easy way to preserve some of that fresh-picked flavor. I toss unhusked ears of corn in the freezer. If you have a dehydrator, you can also dry many fruits and veggies for later. Of course, if you have the skill, canning (or more accurately using Mason Jars) is a time-honored way to store food.
5. Write, Paint, Photograph, or Draw. Although autumn is the end of the growth and creativity associated with longer and warmer days, I’m inspired to document the beauty of the changing season. This is as much a time to celebrate as it is to prepare for darker times.
6. Learn Something New. This is a great time to go back to school, sign up for a course or simply learn how others celebrate the season. Rosh HaShanna and Ramadan are times of introspection and prayer for Jews and Muslims. Politics aside, these two religions share a belief in the importance of this season. If you are invited to partake of apples and honey, or join in a meal to break a fast, embrace the opportunity.
7. Give Away. In many Native American cultures, the more you could give away, the more power you have in the community, unlike this culture, where the more stuff you accumulate, the more powerful you are. While putting your summer stuff away and digging out warmer stuff, take a moment to give away things you don’t really need. Not only do you get more space, but opportunities in other areas of life open up.
This is a great day for celebration and reflection.