We closed the books on October 2015 two weeks ago, but I wanted to offer a final salute to one of favorite months in the calendar.
October always charges me with a revived sense of energy and eagerness. The arrival of cooler, less humid air is reinvigorating to those of us drained and weary after a few months of northern Illinois’ heat and humidity. October’s cool, dry air is a natural tonic, and I respond well to it.
The cooler temperatures also herald the change of seasons, as summer gives way to autumn. Temperatures on some October mornings dip to the low 40s and sometimes the 30s, delivering a chilly hint of winter’s approach.
October is particularly special to me, because we celebrate my birthday on Oct. 7 and my daughter’s on Oct. 9. We celebrated Megan’s 20th birthday this year.
Lori and I celebrate October with an annual visit to one of the area’s pumpkin farms, where we navigate a corn maze and always enjoy some pumpkin doughnuts. We purchase pumpkins and gourds at a nearby farm, and Lori decorates the house. We savor the sights, smells and tastes of autumn. In recent years, we have made a tradition of visiting my sister Jo in Galena, where the town marks Halloween with an annual parade in the early evening.
My Dad was responsible for developing my appreciation for October and autumn. I come from agricultural stock. My father’s father operated a farm during the 1920s and through most of the Great Depression. It was located in Schaumburg Township, a few miles south of where Woodfield Mall stands today. Dad frequently shared his memories of growing up on the farm. He seemed to reminisce more during autumn, when area farmers harvested crops from their fields.
He gave us an understanding of agriculture's complexities and benefits, and helped me to develop a deep appreciation for our natural bond with the land. I don’t think Dad ever considered himself an environmentalist, but he taught us to be good stewards and to value natural resources.
Those resources included the variety of foods produced by farmers and ranchers. He loved fruits and vegetables and developed my taste for them. I fondly remember accompanying Dad on visits to local farm stands during my childhood and listening as he explained the characteristics of apples, sweet corn, radishes and other items.
Dad always grilled bratwurst and other sausages in the fall and enjoyed roasting meats during the winter months. I can remember standing near the grill with him on cool October nights, listening as he shared humble tips for the successful grilling of beer-soaked bratwurst. The key was in controlling the burning charcoal. Dad was a master, grilling sausage to perfection while drinking beer and smoking Kent cigarettes.
I frequently reflected on these memories during October and wanted to share them here, in a final nod to a special month.
KB
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