The York Guardian

No disrespect to its fellow seasons, but there's just something about the fall that sets it apart from all the others.

Actually, there are a lot of somethings about it.

Take the air, for starters. Is it just my imagination or does it seem healthier than at any other time of the year? Just taking a deep breath is energizing.

Pardon me while I do that. Ahhhhhh.

Oh yeah. After an extended summer of searing heat and humidity, one breath of fresh air is like, well, for lack of a better of a better phrase, a breath of fresh air.

And there is an unmistakable bite to it that really lets you know you are alive.

Call it brisk, or crisp, whatever, the moment you step outside first thing in the morning the breeze against your skin gives you an adrenaline rush that gets you psyched up for the day ahead.

As a runner it's my favourite time of the year to run, hands down. My pace picks up, my stride becomes smoother and there's a bounce to my step that hasn't been there since the previous fall.

I'm not alone on that score. You can tell just looking around that the wildlife are feeling the same way. Squirrels seem more pumped than ever as they scurry around searching for the last remnants of fallen acorns and chestnuts. Ditto the raccoons, skunks and chipmunks as they scamper about for the leftovers. And high above you hear the last dulcet tones of birds chirping away like there is no tomorrow, before migrating south for the winter.

Finally there is the moist morning dew gently clinging to the grass, which is a thing of beauty all its own; the sky that is a cool shade of blue seen only this time of year; and last and most definitely not least, there are the leaves.

Ah yes, the leaves. No question, the leaves are what fall is all about.

They seem to continually change their hue before your very eyes and are seemingly every colour of the rainbow, making a box of Smarties seem pale in comparison. And strewn all over the ground as you go for your daily stroll, they make that delightfully crunching snap, crackle and pop sound underfoot that is the envy of the Rice Crispies marketing department.

Yeah, the sights and sounds of fall are everywhere around us, all right.

And I do mean everywhere - including my living room, unfortunately, where all of this is playing out as we speak.

You see, my balcony railing was in need of some minor repairs this week and the workers from Balcony Railing Repairs R-Us forgot to shut the window after they were done and the wind and rain of Monday blew everything inside. It's gonna take me all day to clean up this mess.

Excuse me for a second, things are getting a trifle out of hand in here.

"Hey, birds will ya pipe down? I know, I know, I heard you the first thousand times. You can't wait to get to West Palm. I'm happy for you. But I'm talking to your furry friends, if you don't mind. Now squirrels, I put Barney's Caring Means Sharing DVD on for a reason. So pay attention. There are plenty of nuts for all of you. A little decorum, please. You're guests in here. And for the last time, when you're done, the shells go in the trash can in the kitchen, not all over the carpet. OK? Where are your bleepin' manners?"

Man, I hate the fall.