Autumn Haunts

            Have you ever noticed how autumn makes everything look haunted. As Halloween approaches and more and more leaves fall off trees, there is a mysterious vibe to our neighborhoods. Houses that look habitable and cozy in the spring, summer, and winter look dark and deserted. The pumpkin and scarecrow decorations of the season do not help to breathe life into the homes. They look as though there is as much death inside as there is on the outside. The decaying red, orange, and brown leaves litter the ground un-raked and unkempt. You never know what could be hiding under the piles of leaves. It could be more leaves or it could be something sinister. The sight is even worse on a dreary, drizzly day when the cool air chills you to the bone. The cold wetness makes spending time outside so uninviting. The weather puts me in a perfect mood to bake some holiday treats and sit down in front of a fireplace for a scary movie. Happy Halloween!