A World Where There Are Octobers [printable calendar]

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

I’m glad, too. I think October may be my favorite month, although it’s certainly hard to choose. When the weather cooperates, we get those first few cooler mornings that are such a blessing after Mississippi’s long, hot summers. October’s blue skies are distinct, and the season’s signature goldenrod and golden light always inspire me. At some point, we’ll probably get one of those yellow-orange harvest moons, and I imagine we’ll schedule a s’more-making bonfire. No matter how much summer wants to hang on, the calendar says autumn is here!

As the temperatures slowly drop, if only by a few degrees, everyone’s spirits seem to get lighter. This year, the month ushering in nature’s season of transition also seems to be bringing some transitions to our family. I feel like my heart is juggling health changes for my parents, the ever-changing flux of children growing more independent and, I guess, more themselves, along with the perpetual array of work opportunities – blessings, to be sure – that all require weighing choices. With October, I seem to be on keen alert to notice every hint of change toward the fall days we love. So, I’m excited to look back at a few of my favorite autumn glimpses along with this month’s printable calendar.

During October this year, we are looking forward to a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and fun in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We’ll celebrate the kids’ school activities with robotics competitions, ballet classes, and high school band nights. We are looking forward to a couple of concerts, and the kids and I have plans to build a DIY fire pit to make the s’more making easier. We’ll keep up our tradition of jack-o-lantern carving, and I’m celebrating my birthday… Lots of fun times in store!

Usually our fall plans include a few trips to our Busy Bee farmhouse – one of our favorite places. Because my father is recuperating from a broken hip this year, those plans are a little up in the air. Still, every time I think about fall, images of pastures and grasses come to mind. For this month’s printable calendar download, I’m celebrating scarecrows and fall’s black-eyed susans, and it includes a small cut-away version of my “Fall Y’all” print. Enjoy the download, along with this collection of fall views and specimens of changing seasons from the farm. Happy Fall Y’all!