A Note From the Editor: Delicious Autumn!

“October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace!”
― Rainbow Rowell , Attachments

Though I live in Florida, where autumn is simply a decor shift and not a significant weather shift, I still love this time of year. I live the season vicariously through the social media posts of friends up north; I dive into moody television and films like those of the genius Mike Flanagan; I watch the sparkling, glowing Gilmore Girls and When Harry Met Sally. I put certain music on repeat, like our Autumn Magic Playlist on iTunes and Spotify, or the albums of songstress Ella Fitzgerald and drink hot cider.

Autumn is a time to indulge our senses: Aromatic cinnamon. Crackling wood fires. Cozy sweaters. Cuddles with our lovers, our kids, or our pets. Good books. Long walks. Darkness is delightful; as the days grow shorter, we revel in extended star-filled nights.

The fascinating English editor, poet, and author Mary Ann Evans (known as George Eliot, 1819-1880) described this season of cool, crisp air and cozy blankets as “delicious.” A woman ahead of her time by centuries, Evans lived scandalously, embracing unconventional relationships and writing novels that didn’t bow to the norms of Victorian England. She was a trailblazer.

As we move into the autumn of 2025, we can be trailblazers in our own lives. I recently returned from a hike in the Sequoia National Forest; the redwood trees and bubbling brooks speak ancient wisdom to those who listen: the world needs boldness and advocacy tempered with kindness devoid of cynicism. Our country needs us to stand up for all that is good and right while still endeavoring to build bridges and hold conversations. And please, if your area is holding elections, we urge you to learn about the candidates and issues, then show up and vote your conscience.

Autumn of 2025 is the perfect season for change, and we don’t just mean in our wardrobes.