Fall fairies

I love fall, but I have to admit this year it has come a bit early for my liking. It seems too fast that I am getting up in the dark again and thinking of wearing long pants and sweaters. It’s chilly on my scooter in the mornings now with the bare legs of summer! When the pears arrive at the market I know that fall is well underway and I always pine for a bit more summer heat. But I guess the best thing is just to grin and bear it, and see the light that shines through those autumn clouds. I believe there are fairies that help with just that kind of thing on dreary days…

Have you ever walked through an orchard on a dark day? If there is sun through the clouds, especially in the morning, it has a magical effect. I walk with Simon and Ella every morning through the trees, and this time of year the pears look like they have been lit from within. It’s as if we are wandering through some secret pathway where the fairies have left the lanterns lit to guide you on your way. And if you eat one of those pears, the taste is magical too. I do not remember the canned pears of my youth tasting anything like the ambrosia I am fortunate enough to sample most mornings in September at Rabbit Hollow.

You can tell it’s the fairies that do this work because their playful rings are everywhere of late. Do you have tiny mushrooms growing in your grass? I bet if you do, you will see the circular patterns in how they grow. They do that as a result of the magical chants the fairies sing as they dance in a circle at night – did you know that?

Did anyone ever tell you why you should polish an apple when you pick it off a tree? That’s because you need to make sure you don’t eat too much fairy dust. It falls off as they fly by, playing their games in the dark. Too much fairy dust can make you giddy.

I am hoping the fairies can clear the way for a bit more sunshine. I have tomatoes still to ripen, and plums to pick for jam, and tomatillos and peppers that want more time too. I know they are dancing through the night, making every moment count, for when the geese fly and the cold winds blow they have to fly away too. Jack Frost owns the winter season, and he only tolerates winter fairies with their skates when he is in town. I’m taking a lesson from them, enjoying my morning pears and frolicking in the grass with my dogs. I wonder what would happen if we danced in a circle?

Kristin

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.