First Day of Fall (!!!)

First Day of Fall

Today is the autumnal equinox inaugurating the first day of fall. An equinox – in case you are wondering – occurs twice a year (around 20 March and 22 September), when the plane of the Earth’s equator passes the center of the Sun. At this time the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name “equinox” is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, night and day are about equal length.

Also, it is the date when day and night are exactly the same length. I happen to think that an equally balanced day is pretty fabby.

I love fall. Love, love, love it. I adore:

• Pumpkin everything,
• Shorter days,
• Colors,
• Apple orchards,
• Cool breezes,
• Snuggling,
• Pecan pie,
• No more air conditioner,
• Boots,
• Soup,
• Reading in front of the fire,
• Tweed,
• Football,
• Hot cider,
• Candy corn,
• Sweaters,
• Leaves,
• Corduory
• Rosy cheeks,
• Fall festivals

This excerpt by George Eliot in letter to Miss Lewis on October 1st, 1841 is particularly inspiring:

Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love — that makes life and nature harmonize. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one’s very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a pefect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

What do you love about fall?

PS -All images via Tumblr & Pinterest. If you know who shot them, would you kindly let me know so that I can give (amazing!) credit?