Hello to everyone, hope all is well with you and your families. This week I thought it would be nice to write about the Fall season since the first day of Fall was Thursday September 22nd and doesn’t end till Wednesday December 21st and the first day of Winter. If you ride now is the time to get in as much riding as you can old man Winter is just around the corner.
September equinox marks the first day of fall. A solar equinox is a moment in time when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator, which is to say, appears directly above the equator (rather than north or south of the equator). On the day of the equinox, the Sun appears to rise "due east" and set "due west". This occurs twice each year, once in March and then again in September.
Autumn, also known as Fall in American English, is one of the four temperate seasons. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September Autumn is the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. Day length decreases and night length increases as the season progresses until the Winter Solstice in December. One of its main features in temperate climates is the striking change in color for the leaves of deciduous trees as they prepare to shed. Autumn, especially in poetry, has often been associated with melancholia. The possibilities and opportunities of summer are gone, and the chill of winter is on the horizon. Skies turn grey, the amount of usable daylight drops rapidly, and many people turn inward, both physically and mentally. Then in November the time falls back 1 hour. It has been referred to as an unhealthy season.
(Red, Orange, and Yellow Leaves) Autumn is characterized by red, orange, and yellow leaves on trees, signaling the end of their lives. Nature is awash in these colors, which give autumn a distinct warmth and beauty. Baskets – Baskets are seen to represent autumn because fall is the season of harvesting. Traditionally, baskets were used for harvesting hence the representation. (Apples and Grapes) During this season, these fruits are harvested in plenty. This symbolic association can be traced to the Welsh, who line their altars with apples and grapes during the autumnal equinox as a show of thanksgiving. (Teeming Cornucopias) Cornucopias full of farm produce are an excellent representation of this harvest season. They represent the abundance and plenty that comes with harvest.
Autumn is associated with Halloween (influenced by Samhain, a Celtic autumn festival), and with it a widespread marketing campaign that promotes it. The Celtic people also used this time to celebrate the harvest with a time of feasting. At the same time though, it was a celebration of death as well. Crops were harvested, livestock were butchered, and Winter was coming. Fall's temperature is usually just perfect. It's not too hot and not too cold. Sweater weather is always great! They're super comfy and just perfect for the cool weather outside! Halloween, free candy and chocolate everywhere.
What is a cause of the season fall? The cycle of seasons is caused by Earth’s tilt toward the sun. The planet rotates around an invisible axis. At different times during the year, the northern or southern axis is closer to the sun. During these times of the year, the hemispheres experience spring and autumn.
Thinking about autumn can bring about some pleasant thoughts. And while it is common to think about cozy scarves and delicious pies, the symbolic meanings of autumn are more profound than that. Ancient cultures, science, and astrology have associated many aspects of this beautiful season to human life. These symbolic associations are powerful reminders that Mother Nature has an incredible influence on our lives.
There are 7 Symbolic Meanings of Autumn. (Change) - Autumn reminds us that our bodies, minds, and surroundings are always changing and developing. (Mystery) Thanks to the changing nature of life, each day presents us with new mysteries. (Preservation) Autumn represents the preservation of life and its necessities. During this time, Humans and animals prepare for the winter by storing food and preserve our safe havens. (Protection) We exercise self-protection by wearing layers and thicker fabrics. We also tend to focus on our health by boosting our immunity through habits and nutrition. (Comfort) This season is prime time for seeking comfort in the midst of dropping temperatures. Creating a serene and snug space is one of the best perks of autumn. (Balance) Day and night are the same length during the autumnal equinox. As a result, ancient cultures have always associated this day with the concept of balance. The sun also enters Libra, which is symbolized by a pair of balanced scales. Autumn grants us a chance to harmonize with the Earth and tap into the balance within us. (Letting Go) As temperatures drop to the tune of falling leaves, autumn illustrates the beauty of letting go. What Does the Bible Say About Fall Season? Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Useless Facts about Fall:
1. People who live on the equator never experience fall (unless they go on vacation); geomagnetic storms occur twice as often during the fall as the annual average.
2. Levels of testosterone in both men and women are at their highest in the fall.
3. Catching leaves in the fall supposedly brings good luck, according to superstition. Each leaf you catch means a lucky month in the next year.
4. The black-capped chickadee’s hippocampus enlarges by 30 percent, enabling it to remember where it collected seeds in different spots in trees and on the ground.
5. We use the word “fall” while Brits use the word “autumn,” but before those terms began to be used in the 16th century the season was called “harvest.”
6. Pumpkin Pie Spice Doesn’t Taste Like Pumpkin. The ingredients are Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves & Nutmeg
7. More People Fall in Love in Fall. The cooler weather in fall makes people want to get closer to others and not be alone for the winter. So get ready to snuggle in the fall.
8. There are More Than 7,500 apple Varieties. There is an amazing amount of apple varieties that are grown around the globe. There are 2,500 types grown in the US. Make sure to eat one a day to help keep the doctor away.
9. Fall Leaf Colors are Caused by Sugar. Everyone loves those colorful leaf colors in the fall from vibrant reds to eye-popping bright oranges, but did you know that the color the leaves turn is based on how much sugar is in the leaves. That’s why maple leaves are such a brilliant red color.
10. You Can See the Brightest Full Moon in Fall. The full moon in the fall that occurs during the equinox is much brighter (almost orange) and rises much earlier than a typical full moon. This full moon, called the Harvest Moon occurs sometime in September or October.
Local Events:
1. A Fall Pumpkin-Fest Sept 29th – Oct 2nd for Sullivan County Animal Shelter 1200 Volunteer Parkway Thurs 4pm -7pm Fri & Sat 11am -7pm Sun 1pm -6pm
2. A Fall Pumpkin-Fest Oct 6th - Oct 9th for Sullivan County Animal Shelter 1200 Volunteer Parkway Thurs 4pm -7pm Fri & Sat 11am -7pm Sun 1pm -6pm
3. A Fall Pumpkin-Fest Oct 13th – Oct 31st for Sullivan County Animal Shelter 1200 Volunteer Parkway Mon thru Sat 11am -7pm Sun 1pm -8pm
4. National Storytelling Festival Jonesborough, TN Oct 7th -9th
5. Erwin Apple Festival Erwin, TN Oct. 7th - 8th
6. Ghost Walk East Hill Cemetery Bristol, TN 7pm -9pm Oct 21st -22nd
7. 7th Annual Jeeptober Fest in the Smokies 10am Oct. 22nd
8. A Fall Pumpkin-Fest Oct 13th – Oct 31st for Sullivan County Animal Shelter 1200 Volunteer Parkway Mon thru Sat 11am -7pm Sun 1pm -8pm
9. 3rd Annual Halloween In The Valley Car & Bike Show 11am -3pm Oct 22nd Shady Valley, TN Country Store
Rallies:
1. Myrtle Beach Fall Rally Sept 26st – Oct 2nd Myrtle Beach SC
2. Great Smoky Mountain Rally Sept27th – Oct 1st Maryville, TN
3. Rumble On The River Rally Sept 30th – Oct 2nd Bandera TX
4. Daytona Biketoberfest Daytona, FLA. Oct 13th -16th
5. Thunder Beach fall Bike Rally Panama City, FLA Oct 19th – 23rd
Rides:
1. Lori Nunn Memorial Poker Run Greenville Peacemakers club house Oct 22nd All Proceeds go to NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER
Bike Night:
1. Kingsport Moose Riders Every Wednesday
2. 19E Pit Stop Every Wednesday
3. Quaker Steak & Lube Every Thursday
4. Tulips Grub & Pub Every Friday
5. Peacemakers Bike Night 801 Boozy Creek Every 3rd Friday of each month
6. East Coast Wings Every Wednesday
7. Dog Tag Brigade Every Wednesday at Jonesborough VFW
8. The Pub Out Back Every Monday
9. Freddy’s in Kingsport every second Monday
10. Creek Side Bar & Grill in Stoney Creek every Wednesday