My favorite Octobers of the past were wet and rainy. Leaves of many fall colors were falling from trees turning gray, and on the ground, they provided a damp cushion for anyone walking on a sidewalk. Sound in general was a bit softer and not so abrasive, making it easier to think and more comfortable to walk. Remember when we used to walk a lot? To various stores, to the downtown, to school, to lessons, to the nearest market. This gave us a lot more time to think about life in general. To philosophize on what ever level we happened to be in at that moment. I think that this was healthy, and I miss it.
The change of seasons also brought with it a change in input to our senses. The drastic and abrupt change in colors in vegetation from greens and browns to a whole spectrum of fall colors was invigorating, until they change yet again to deeper browns and grays. And the smells that we experienced when walking also changed from sweet and pungent to the moist and musty smell of decaying vegetation. And these changes combined to lead us into our scariest October festival – Halloween. The whole month still actually turns into a prelude to Halloween. Darkness appears earlier each day, bringing shadows and an air of mystery. And with the grayness comes the commercial colors of black and orange. All of this adds up to our anticipation being drawn out over the entire month, which can make the holiday itself anticlimactic, it being over so quickly. I still remember that slight feeling of claustrophobia when fully costumed, and the musty, gluey smell of the mask when walking from house to house croaking “trick or treat!”
Marching band was always a lot more comfortable because the heavy uniforms, stifling in the end of summer heat, worked much better with the cooler weather. Especially at night. However, as the grass that was recently so comfortable turned brown and all but disappeared, the replacement was either hard earth or mud with the occasional pothole to contend with. Try holding on to a note while stepping into a pothole, and maybe also losing a shoe in the process. Also scary!
Besides the scary songs of Halloween, there are also always the songs of Octoberfest. Lively, Germanic, and bringing new sensory inputs of schnitzel, sauerkraut, beer and pretzels among other goodies. The last great harvest festival before winter sets in. The oom pah sound of the tuba and the clarinet, trumpet, trombone, accordian and drums ring cheerfully throughout the whole month. Enjoy!