I’m Where I Belong As Autumn Begins. And You?

/ Ally Bean
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Take the “What State Do You Actually Belong In” quiz. Find out, for sure, where you belong. In case you’re unclear about this. Or you’re just looking for something to do. Which is how I stumbled upon this quiz. Which turned out to be spot on.

• • •

I’ve often thought that if you don’t like autumn around here, then there’s something dead in your soul.

I can understand not liking our gray, snowy winters. They are dreary and can sap your soul, requiring a certain kind of physical and mental strength that not everyone has.

That some years I don’t have. No problem, there. That I get.

But to not like fall here in Ohio?

That seems most peculiar to me, oh Autumn-haters.

• • •

img_0036Here’s what I mean.

Autumn is just beginning around here and already the weather has turned cooler, dropping into the 50s at night, and the humidity is gone.  I’m sleeping more soundly at night, windows open, and am wearing sweaters, or fleece, during the day.

A more alert me, and you, is good.

The leaves on the trees and bushes have yet to turn colors, but each day a few leaves fall onto the ground, a precursor of what is to come: bold colors, naked trees and clear blue skies by day + dark starry skies by night.

img_0035This will be good, just wait and see.

And what about the fact that fall ushers in HallowThanksMasNewYear, a time of endless candy, cookies, costumes, outfits, and decorations?  Hmmm?  Had you thought of that, oh Autumn-haters?

Sweetness and sparkle is good for all of us.

• • •

Obviously if you, oh Autumn-haters, insist on not liking this season, despite my thrown together well-reasoned and quickly written impassioned entreaty to change your mind, I will let it go.

Which, I do believe, now that I think about it, is the subtext of this entire season.

Don’t ‘ya know?  😉

• • •

58 thoughts on “I’m Where I Belong As Autumn Begins. And You?”

  1. It’s the soul sapping winter that follows that’s the problem. Even winter is nice for a week or two but it hangs on far too long. Looking forward to the fireplace and hot drinks at night instead of watching the frogs cavort and a margarita on the porch. If we could trim a month or two off of our winters, I’d be happy. I didn’t know you were in Ohio. You’re right next door. I’m in Pa.

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    • Kate, I agree about trimming winter. I enjoy it at first, but then it’s so gray and cold that it begins to take the joy right out of me. But fall is wonderful around here, so I try to absorb its magic as a way of making it through winter. Didn’t know you were in PA!

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  2. I love Autumn. That it really felt present in October is part of why I loved the month so much growing up (with the other parts being “my birthday” and “Halloween”). I’m glad to live in Los Angeles now, but I regret how little Autumn feels like Autumn. At least I can enjoy fellow bloggers’ appreciation of how they experience it in environs closer to my home Oregon!

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    • Deborah, I’ve lived where Autumn is rather blah. Here it makes a big splash, with real enthusiasm for letting go. Will post some photos of the trees when they are in their glory. And hey: Happy Birthday early!

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  3. The deep, philosophical thought for the day surely has to be that autumn is the time of year to let everything go 🙂
    This is my favourite time of the year for all the reasons you’ve stated … and I took the quiz too. If I wasn’t Canadian, I should also live in Ohio. Hi, neighbour!! 🙂

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  4. I did not realize there were people who felt hatred towards Autumn. These people should be deported to some country with triple digit temperatures and triple digit humidity…

    Now HallowThanksMasNewYear….. THAT I despise. Of course, you may not care for the opinion of someone who apparently should be living in North Carolina…

    You’re someone that knows what’s right and tries to do whatever they can do to make what’s right a reality. You’re hardworking, conscientious, and just a fun person to be around. Also, can we talk about your Southern brother? No? Yeah, who needs ‘em.

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    • evilsquirrel13, every once in a while I’ll meet someone who is vocal about how much they hate fall. It’s a gorgeous time of year around here, comfortable temps, with delicious food aplenty. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?

      So you’re a North Carolinian at heart? Hmmm. Didn’t see that one coming, although you do seem like a fun person so maybe the quiz is right.

      ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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  5. Now that I live in Florida, I have no problem with fall . . . or winter. Went for a barefoot walk on the beach this morning. Temps were in the high 70’s. Perfect for me.

    I’ll leave the fleece to you. 😉

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    • nancy, your walk sounds delightful to me. However, this is where I live so I’m going to enjoy fall for all its worth, while denying the reality of winter. 😉

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  6. I like that… HallowThanksMasNewYear. That’s quite a mouthful. I love Autumn, as you know, and I LOVE winter. I also love Mondays. I’m contrarian, eh? It’s still a wee bit swampy here in PA, though. I’m waiting still for a perfect fall day…… ….. ….. …. ~Tara

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  7. LOL I took the test and got Iowa, but other than a few questions, none of the answers appealed to me, starting with the first one! I’m in California and consider myself a definite California Girl (except I don’t have blonde hair). I don’t see seasons here. It is either sunny or raining usually, although I have started to wonder if I am just not being observant enough to notice the subtle changes. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about Autumn/Fall lately and so I’ve decided to start taking a look around and see if I can find something!

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    • scr4pl80, I wonder how the quiz decided you belonged in Iowa? ‘Tis a far piece away from California, both in geography and in attitude. I’ve never been to Iowa, but I’ve been to CA and it was sunny. I wonder if fall is more visible in the mountains than in the cities? Or maybe it just doesn’t happen with as much fanfare as it does here.

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      • Ally, it definitely is more visible in the mountains than in the cities and the good thing about where I live (near SF airport) is that I only have to go a couple of hours in either direction and I can experience it. Sorry I used my WordPress account for the last comment. I keep forgetting to change it or to update my WordPress! Maybe that should be my fall project 🙂 Happy October!

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  9. I thought you all called it Fall? Actually I know some Americans call it Autumn – we’ve left Autumn behind in the southern hemispheres but I really like that time of year when everything slows and cools down a bit and things go into hiding … and then the promise of Spring not too far behind! In the meantime, enjoy the respite of Autumnal bliss, sleeping with open windows, longer nights …

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    • Susan, I was taught to call it autumn, but many people call it fall. I go back and forth between the two words, because I like variety, I guess. I agree with you about how delightful it is watch nature wind down. Also, good sleeping weather is a plus. Most happy, I am.

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  11. I got New York. That’s a bit of a head-scratcher. I thought for sure I’d get some place in the Midwest. Must be Upstate New York. I’m not city gal. And the really totally wrong part: “You’re spontaneous, candid, and the most exciting person in any room.” Um, did you miss the fact that I selected Boring as my negative adjective?! If I were the most exciting person in the room, the other person would have to be one of those faceless mannequins.

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    • Nancy, boring? You? Say it is not so. Suppose it’s possible that this quiz is not as accurate as one would hope? Thanks for sharing your results, such as they are.

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      • Not accurate?! Say that is not so! haha

        As a kid did you ever do the “butter test” with a dandelion flower? You rub the flower on someone’s chin and if their chin turns yellow, they like butter. I don’t know what made me think of that. But that’s how we figured out life’s big questions in the ’70s. lol

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  12. I love these little tests! I used to dislike fall/autumn a lot, but have come to enjoy it, except for the craze for pumpkin everything. 🙂 I like edible pumpkin, but will never drink it in a coffee or a beer. Ugh.

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    • Margaret, I didn’t always love autumn, but I never hated it. Around here it’s so pretty that it won me over. As for the over abundance of pumpkin spice, I’m right there w/ you. I’ve gone so far as to make a Twiiter hashtag about this: #WarOnVanilla. I mean, isn’t everything now a controversy? 😉

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  13. Bring on Autumn! This summer was…hideous. Took the test and got Illinois: “From the north to the south you’re a varied person. You’re complicated – calm at the same time you’re stressed out. ” Whatever. Most of the choices were not anything I’d have chosen or were among my favorites. I do love Chicago, however, so the Internet = Science!

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    • nance, laughing here. But of course the internet is infallible! Do hope you enjoy the frigid cold Chicago winters. Have you bought your super duper parka & Uggs yet?

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    • Well, Sarah, I adore fall, but some people whine about it. It’s the prettiest time of year here, leaving me to believe that those Autumn-haters must not have the sense that God gave a goose! 😉

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  16. I love autumn. The beautiful colors all around……red, yellow, orange,browns….and bright blue skies with no humidity. It is such a change here, even though we still have some warmer temperatures. It’s a great time to go to the zoo since the animals are a little more active. And having a grandchild experiencing all these things for the first time is so much fun, too! Everyone needs to slow down and see the world around them through a child’s eyes:)

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    • Beth, you know I adore the colors of autumn. So pretty and refreshing after the dried-out tones of late summer. I haven’t been to the zoo in ages, so good idea. No little ones to go with me, but I’ll do my best to be a child while I’m there. 😉

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  17. I’m a fall person. Even though we really don’t get fall colors – and the birds show up/pass through rather than leave – give me fresh north winds and chrisp cool anytime. Enough leaves fall to get a crunch and there’s all the fall sounds, smells, and festivals as we emerge from summer hibernation from the heat.
    Will have to check out that quiz.

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    • philmouse, I enjoy all that autumn has to offer. This past summer was unusually annoying/depressing, so I’m getting the sense that we Ohioans are going to get all the joy we can out of this fall. So far, so good.

      The quiz is kind of a goof, but the results have been fascinating. So far, I’m the only one who belongs where I am!

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    • susie, every year I’ll talk with a person or two who hates autumn. They seem to feel the falling leaves make it messy– and they hate dressing up for Halloween [which is entirely voluntary]– and they don’t like pumpkin and candy and hayrides and whatever! Amazes me every time, but…

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  19. Fall is absolutely my favorite season. It’s just way too short up here in Minnesota. If only we could take away a couple of winter months and add them to Fall!

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  20. Autumn in Ohio is the best time of year – cool weather, football, festivals, harvest and beautiful color!! It is a reward for living through summer.

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  21. I love autumn. At this time of year I am sure that autumn is my favorite season. Of course, when the first crocus of spring pop up out of the winter brownness, I’m certain that spring is my favorite season. But spring doesn’t have Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas on the way.

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    • Zaz, I know what you mean about the beginning of spring. That first smudge of color is amazing to behold. Talk with me next March and I’ll probably be holding forth on the wonder of spring, my favorite season! 😉

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  22. Autumn is my favorite season, because I grew up in Southern California without seasons. This year I felt like summer was gone too fast, so I felt a little disappointed when the rain came and the leaves began to turn.

    I fixed that up by changing up my diet. I kept trying to eat summer food still, in a stubborn attempt to cling to the past season. My body is much happier with pumpkin spices and soups. Best way to embrace the season instead of fighting it! 😉

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