Swish Crunch Click

National Blog Posting Month – September 2014 – Crunch

Prompt – Crunch crunch crunch: leaves are starting to carpet the sidewalks. Tell us about your favourite autumnal sound.

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It’s Fall.

This is a difficult time of year for me.

For one, it’s the busiest time of year, what with the combination of teaching a large introductory course and all the holidays.

It’s also hard because I know it marks the onset of winter. I really dislike winter. The short days and being cold all the time wear on me. Plus I like to be able to go outside and swing my sword. I have no convenient indoor space to practice.

But if I just step back and enjoy the moment, Fall is a lovely time of year.

I’m reminded of this especially as I run the field trips that accompany my class. We go outside and look at geology, but in doing so, it’s hard to avoid the beautiful colors all around us.

As far back as I can remember, I always loved the sound of the dried leaves swishing and cracking against each other as I stomped though them. I liked raking leaves if only to make a pile big enough to dive into. I shouldn’t be surprized that my son also enjoys this activity.

On my field trips, we walk along the roads and trails from this geologic feature to that, walking through piles of leaves and avoiding falling acorns. Sometimes it’s a little cool and crisp on field trip days. Other times it’s hot. But regardless, the signs of Fall are all around us. Visually, in the gorgeous colors. By scent, by the smell of dried leaves.

And audibly, as we crunch and crash slowly though the woods.