SuZan Klassen

Did you notice it?

Change is in the air. All across the country most school-age children are back in school, homeschool, or in virtual classrooms.

The first day of autumn will officially occur on Monday, September 23. If you live in a region of Canada or the USA that enjoys all four seasons you’re already enjoying some evidence of fall or anticipating it soon.

Can you see it?
We all enjoy the color transitions of the gorgeous fall leaves. Each area adds its colors to the autumn parade. Throughout the southern part of the Midwestern USA, sunflowers are blooming. So is that nasty bit of mustard yellow ragweed waving its pollen along the highways. At the least, ragweed is a nuisance. At the most, it completely ruins this favorite time of year for many people. Ahh-choo!

Can you smell it?
Each of the various blooming plants gives off an odor, some more aromatic than others. Plus there are the earthy smells from raking leaves and the acrid smells from burning them. Or the pleasant scents from wood burning in outside fire pits. And of course, there is the delicious sweet aroma from roasting marshmallows over the open fire. S’mores, anyone?

Can you hear it?
Yes, that’s right. If you’ve been paying attention it is possible to hear autumn’s advance. The change in sound is difficult to put into words. But I hear it every fall particularly on clear days. I think it must have something to do with the amount of humidity in the air. The breeze carries the different sound through the trees. The traffic on the highway is different, too—the pitch is a little higher.

As nature redesigns our world, it reminds us, change is inevitable in life.
My goodness, I could digress into a deeply philosophical discussion if I’m not careful.

However, the changes I want to bring to your attention are some modifications you may notice to this website in the coming weeks and months. You may even have noticed a few tiny ones already. These adjustments will be minimal for the time being.

My goal is to move slowly and only redesign or alter the website as necessary. But even those plans could change. Stay tuned.

Travel Tips
• Keep your senses alert to enjoy nature’s makeover this fall.
If you live in a region or will be traveling through a region where fall pollens are rampant and you have allergies, here are a few pro-active suggestions:
• Speak with your doctor about a proper course of treatment before you travel.
• Choose a destination with none of your known allergens.
• Close your vehicle’s outside air vents.
• Use the circulation only button on your A/C.
• Consider nasal irrigation (such as a neti pot) to alleviate sinus congestion.
Plastic neti pots are lightweight and take little room in a suitcase.

What are your favorite changes as part of the world transitions to autumn?

If you’ve noticed the changes to this website, what did you like? What did you not like? Or perhaps you’re in the category of: “What changes? I didn’t see anything.”

Tell me all about it in the comments below.

Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan

© 2019 SuZan Klassen