Autumn Wanders

Autumn Strolls

I sip on my Pumpkin Spice latte, feeling the heat warm up my nose, the hot spice sliding down my throat leaving the strong flavour of pumpkin in my mouth. I stroll through the fallen leaves below my feet, the wet surface reflecting the sunlight. It's days like this I miss in Winter, Spring and Summer. The feeling of mild coldness, the colour of the leaves and the thought of going on my monthly walk through Nashville park excites me, wondering what adventures I go on. It's strange that I only come through Nashville park one month a year; the month of October. The month of my birthday and my favourite time of the year. Autumn. I never understood why some people hate Autumn, was it because this declared the end of Summer? The beginning of Winter? Because it was the beginning of Halloween? Or was it just a personal loathe? I'll never know I guess. But in my opinion Autumn couldn't be any better. It's a unique stress reliever, it's a great distraction but also a great source of comfort. When I'm feeling down or not myself I manage to convince my self to go to my favourite part of Nashville Park. The old bench by the lake. A place I only go to for desperate comfort or to be alone, disconnected from the outside world. Without the old bench, my sorrows would never go away. Fortunately, I'll always have the old bench. Besides this, a cosy day in with my dog Noodles seems to also do the trick, he always spreads out over my tartan throw, playing with his toy pumpkin. His favourite toy. Apart from this, I have the coffee shop by Jenkins only a block down from where I live. Open till 3am. I tend to take advantage of this. I usually do most of my studies there, whether that is personal writing or a new project, it's always the place I go to. These 3 things are so precious to me, I couldn't live without them. But Nashville Park, will always have a special place in my heart, has done ever since I was 7, ever since the day my Dad took me ice skating along the frozen lake, since the day he showed me the old bench and ever since he showed me the place where he first met my Mum. Mum usually goes to the park once a week. She loves it as much as me, my Dad however, doesn't tend to go much anymore. He's retired but still distracts himself with some form of work. Whether that is doing little jobs for friends and family or coming up with a new project or idea. I'm actually surprised he is retired. He doesn't ever relax. But at least he is happy.
Another reason I love Autumn is because it's the only time of the year my Mum makes her Apple crumble, pumpkin spiced,white chocolate cupcakes and Orange and cinnamon gingerbread men. She even made her own little Autumn recipe book. When I give my friends her cakes and biscuits they always ask for the recipe. But it's a secret between me and my mum. Even my Dad doesn't know! She hides the book in her old box of photographs and tapes from her childhood. Dad LOVES her recipe of Cinnamon roles.
Noodles is barking, craving for my attention. I take him on daily walk through the old creek. It's nothing special, but has great views and Noodles loves it so I take him there every day. I should go, Noodles is very impatient!

Goodbye my Autumn lovelies,
Betty x