"Season of Mist and Mellow Fruitfulness"

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

   Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

   With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run"

I'm not a huge reader of the Romantic poets, but something seems to happen to me at the beginning of every October. The first few lines of John Keats's Ode to Autumn start whispering around in my head when the evenings cool, and I find myself wanting to sit on the porch at dusk with a glass of red and Anne of Green Gables. If you grew up with Anne, you know she is the original free spirit: a poet, novelist, and naturalist all rolled into one, with a unique sense of self that isn't bound by anything other than her own conscience.

I think if Anne had ever heard of it, she'd be the first one on the boat to experience shinrin-yoku, the Japanese art of forest bathing. This very cool kind of self-care is about taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest, and was first developed in the early 1980s to help ameliorate symptoms of what was then called "tech-fatigue." Huh. While there are organizations with dedicated programs and forest bathing retreats (if you're in South Carolina, you can learn more here​ about what's on offer in the Upstate), it can be as simple as getting a trail map from a local state park. For safety's sake, I highly advise going with a friend to experience the beauty together, and if you're a journaler or a jotter, below I've got some writing prompts to add to your notebook.

What if you're someone who is mobility-limited or unable to be outdoors? (Shout out to all of us seasonal allergy sufferers) Well, here is something just for you:

Komorebi is a Japanese word that describes the event of light filtering through the trees, which you can definitely enjoy through your window. There's not really an English equivalent, but if you've ever been out of doors at dawn or dusk you have a good idea of what 木漏れ日 is.

Now, what to do with all of these heart gifts from Mother Nature? I suggest going home and doing nothing for awhile. If you’ve got the time, I’ve included a “post walk” list of books and media for you to print out and keep. Enjoy, and as my friend Caroline says, be sure to touch grass.