Ode to Fall

The colors tell it all... It's autumn.


It is generally agreed among the Japanese, that autumn is the most well-loved season of all. In fact, they ascribe many names to this season, one of them being ’読書の秋’( dokusyo no aki : the book-reading autumn). Apparently, the chilling temperature keeps readers from dozing off.


I'm not so sure about reading. I thought Autumn is sensuously poetic though...



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Autumn

'Tis autumn now; the corn is cut,

But other gifts for us are spread,

The purple plum, the ripe brown nut,

And pears and apples, streaked with red,

Among the dark green branches shine,

Or on the grass beneath them fall;

While full green clusters deck the vine

That trails o'er trellis, roof, and wall.

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In our dear land the la-den trees

Be-speak God's providence and love;

He sends all needful gifts like these

For those who trust in Him above.

How good is He to make such choice

Of pleasant fruits for us to grow!'

Tis meet, indeed, that we rejoice

In Him who loves His children so.

Author unknown

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The rice fields are dried and tidied. We get to enjoy 新米 ( fresh rice ) for several months from now.

Wagons of good stuff harvested, with many others awaiting their turn. We're having really delicious apples! Japan is famous for its many pride produce, and Nagano is the second prefecture well known for its delectable apples!

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Quite unlike the majority, maybe I've yet come to appreciate autumn as much. I'm constantly worried about catching a nasty cold. There hasn't been a year that I'm spared from flu during cold seasons like autumn and winter.


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Maybe my body will do better this year, and I'll be able to enjoy outdoor ' comfortably ' like the rest. Keeping fingers crossed. =)



Did you manage to spot this little one above?










Autumn, oh autumn... You've got to be good like they said...



You out there, be wary and don't catch a cold. =P