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Flavors Qfrai
By Rebecca Holder
The first eight years of my life were spent in eastern Tennessee. Then 1 was
snatched from the verdant bosom of Appalachia and transported to the sandspur
and rattlesnake-sprinkled flatlands of Florida. That trauma accounts for my
intense love and appreciation for the changing of seasons. There's winter?aloof,
regal, with fits of nasty temper followed by silent gray brooding. Happy spring
that flits, flutters, and flashes youth and color. And sultry summer, bathed in heat,
salty, and indulgent.
But my favorite season is this time of two names?she starts out as fall, but
transcends to sweet autumn. Autumn Ls languid, slow, and deliberate. Everything
about it deepens, intensifies, builds; just like her two-name identity. It's akin to being
introduced to a "Bet" or "Betsy" and once you spend time with her, it seems much
more fitting to speak her full name of "Elisabeth" Autumn, for me, is about savoring.
Savoring the ever shorter days and lingering warmth. Savoring the mingled palette
of colors in the trees, in the sky, and in the fields. Savoring the aroma of burning
leaves and nxithball-scented sweaters emerging from closeted recesses. And savoring
the flavors of autumn that somehow, like their season, are richer and deeper and
more robust.
For a child, October and the flavors of fall center around the sugar and chocolate-fest
of Halloween. But Halloween is when 1 learned what it was to savor something. The
tiny, tiny town where 1 first went trick-or-treating with my father had eight to ten
houses along the train track. I've long since forgotten who the people were, which
house they lived in, and even what 1 brought home in my bag. What 1 will never
forget is that at over half the houses, my father and I were invited in and sat down at
the kitchen table for still-warm homemade treats. At one house, there were popcorn
balls so sticky, crunchy, and buttery good they clung to my fingers and face as I ate like
misshapen octopi. Another house offered up "real" hot chocolate made with fresh
whole milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and patience topped off with a gas burner-roasted
marshmallow. Yet another placed plates of warm gingerbread dripping with tart
lemon sauce in front of us. Fresh baked cookies, pumpkin tarts, and fried apple pies
wrapped in wax paper made an appearance.
We spent hours making the rounds that Halloween among those few houses, but
it wasn't the length of time we spent that made it memorable; it was the speed
of time. Without realizing it, I was savoring the experience. And savoring slows
time down; it sets you into slow motion so that the details and nuances can be
discovered, processed, and absorbed. The outside air was brisker, the kitchens
warmer and cozier, the scent of cinnamon and pumpkin more exotic, and the
kindness and fellowship of neighbors cheerier. Autumn is for savoring.
Rebecca S. Holder Consulting LLC invites you to visit www.rshsmartaging.com to learn
more about company services, follow the Age-smart Blog or submit your questions,
feedback, and suggestions for this column or other aging issues
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October 10 - 12: Autumn Leaves Festival, Mount
Airy. This festival showcases our rich musical heritage, such as
Old-Time, Blue Grass and Gospel, performed by local musicians
on the downtown stage; the unique arts & crafts of more than
170 craftsmen who line the streets with many demonstrating
their talents and skills passed down through the generations; and
food, including ham biscuits, collards & cornbread, barbeque, and
more.
October 17 -19: Carolina Balloon Fest. Bring lawn chairs
and blankets (pets & coolers will not be admitted) to bask in the
beautiful Carolina autumn weather as the backdrop to all the
sights and sounds of colorful hot air balloons. Taste the best of
North Carolina's wines and craft brews, stroll the Artisan Village
and Marketplace, and enjoy great food along the way. Statesville,
NC.
October 18: 28th Annual Taylorsville Apple Festival.
This festival hosts over 250 exhibit booths and provides a fantastic
assortment of entertainment, food and vendors.
October 18: NC Oyster Festival. The 34th Annual North
Carolina Oyster Festival features live entertainment, arts and
crafts vendors, festival food, a road race, kid's area, North Carolina
Oyster Shucking Championships and an Oyster Stew Cook-off.
October 21 - 25: NC Yam Festival. Tabor City, NC.
www.ncyamfestival.com
October 25: NASCAR Day, Randleman. NASCAR
excitement with 40,000 people coming together to celebrate
racing.
October 25:31st Annual Barbecue Festival, Lexington.
Over 300 vendors featuring arts & crafts, commercial and festival
foods, seven stages of entertainment, street performers, 50-ton
pig-themed sand sculpture, and of course, the BEST barbecue in
the world!
For more information about festivals and events throughout
North Carolina, go to www.ncfestivals.com and click on Calendar
of Events.