I mentioned my blogging sidekick Ficus in a post from almost a year ago as another plant who is always able to figure things out, including when our seasons are about to shift. The very first thing I notice which makes me feel Autumn is on its way is how the sunlight subtly shifts as it gently enters two windows on either side of Ficus, who stoically resides adjacent to my desk. The sun enters that area at a slightly different angle, moves away just a little quicker, and Ficus ultimately spends a bit more time in the shadows during the afternoon. Each year this happens…it just creeps up on me out of nowhere until one day when I finally recognize what is happening. (I have no doubt Ficus wonders why it still takes me so long to pick up on this…)
Once the sun has started to begin its subtle adjustment, our neighbor’s tree is where the next noticeable change takes place. I don’t know what kind of tree it is, and each Spring it looks healthy enough, but around mid-August it sheds all of its leaves in three weeks. With the heat of the summer still at work, we wind up with a Fall-like street setting of crunchy, golden-brown leaves to admire well before Labor Day…leaves which due to the jet stream will eventually be in our yard to admire more intimately. It is another reminder Autumn (and its leaves) is not far behind.
I subscribe to a number of podcasts. Podcasts became a big deal to me when I started a walking exercise program in the second half of last year. I keep track of steps on my iPhone, and as I walk from Point A to Point B and back again, I like to listen to them (when not listening to live sports). The subjects of these podcasts? TV show rewatches, the NBA, College Basketball, College Football…and NFL Fantasy Football. I can easily see a scenario where after hearing the basics of how Fantasy Football is played, those unfamiliar with it would conclude success is more about luck than skill. Google AI spit out most analysts and experienced players estimate season-long Fantasy Football is 50-70% luck. I would concur when we’re talking about actually winning a league championship. I know Autumn is approaching when the velocity of Fantasy Football podcasts subtly ramps up as training camps get into full swing. My wife and I have been playing Fantasy Football together since 1998. It’s fun for both of us (except when we’re playing each other), and it makes watching any pro football game more interesting as each one has meaning…not just the ones our Eagles are playing in.
Dunkin’s Fall 2026 menu is scheduled to launch this week. Starbucks debuts their menu next week. Two in-your-face signs Autumn is soon upon us. Pumpkin Spice everything, baby. I have come to believe Pumpkin Spice is something you either hate or love. I happen to love it. Now, one not-so-little twist this year when it comes to Fall beverages is in addition to that walking program I initiated, I stopped drinking coffee completely several months ago. My morning drinks since that time have primarily been Iced Chai Lattes. I would very much like to re-introduce coffee to my diet when these Autumnal menus arrive, but I think the days of ordering large Pumpkin Spice Cream Cold Brews are over. I just have to figure out how to say the word s-m-a-l-l. (I have been practicing…)
I walked into the local grocery store yesterday and there it was, a fully-stocked, filled-to-the-sky Halloween section with costume accessories, home decorations…and of course, candy. Boxes and boxes of bags and bags. I will admit we do buy candy for the neighborhood ahead of time, but not this much ahead of time. We get about 100-125 visitors to the front door each Halloween. It is a night where the community is united in having a good time. This too-early appearance of the grocery store Halloween section is another sign Autumn…and the camaraderie of Halloween Night (meet-and-greet skeleton included!) is not far off.
ADDENDUM…A New Peanuts Adventure
I have no idea how young I was when I read my first Charlie Brown comic. It just naturally and organically became a part of my youth, and I read it in the newspaper every single day. Television specials and movies followed, and I have been there for all of it.
Autumn always found Charlie Brown once again being convinced to run up and kick a football by his holding “pal” Lucy.
Apple TV recently announced a new Peanuts movie will hit their platform in 2027. And, it sounds like a movie for all of us to pal around with. The title: Snoopy Unleashed.
The set-up…Charlie Brown’s long-time pen pal, a wheelchair-bound girl from London named Mia, makes a surprise visit to Charlie in the States. Charlie Brown now is faced with trying to live up to the “larger” version of himself he promoted in their letters. Snoopy picks up on this newcomer taking over Charlie Brown’s main focus, and decides to run off to the big city. Charlie and the Peanuts gang, plus Mia of course, all set out to find the wayward doggie. In the interim, while navigating the urban landscape Snoopy befriends a stray mutt who is way more comfortable with city life. We don’t know the stray’s name, but he becomes Snoopy’s opposites-attract pal…just like Mia and Charlie Brown.
The script for this 80-minute feature was written by Craig Schulz, Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz’s son – and his own son, Bryan Schulz – along with Cornelius Uliano and Karey Kirkpatrick. It is directed by Steve Martino, who directed The Peanuts Movie (2015).
Peanuts continues to thrive – long after its final comic strip ran back in February of 2000 – and this film will certainly add to its historic legacy.
Pictures Courtesy Recraft/Threads/Apple TV
Some of us just feel the changes coming but don’t notice why, others like you have taken the time to notice those changes. For me it seems too early, the kids haven’t even gone back to school, but I have noticed the shortness of the days. When I leave my nightshift the sky is now dark. The world is turning.
Thanks, Ruth. Today was the first day the school buses stopped in front of our house to pick up children returning to their classrooms. The world is definitely turning when those school buses hit the streets.
That’s a beautiful ficus! You clearly have a green thumb.
I adore autumn. The crisp cool temps, bright foliage, pumpkins, apples. But retailers are always jumping the gun. I can’t shop for fall decor when it’s still 90 degrees.
Thanks, River. Your part of the country remains the one place I gotta get to for a taste of that exceptional autumn experience. It is awesome you guys live where you do. Someday…
It’s hard to argue with a New England autumn.
I won’t even try…
Ah, so thanks for revealing that Fantasy Football success is mostly luck. That explains why I have won just one championship in 25 years of playing in a league _ I’m almost never lucky in this sort of thing _ and makes me feel better that choosing rosters and lineups with my heart rather than on cold, hard calculations isn’t the sole reason for my annual dismal performance.
Glad you are doing those walks. I started doing a daily 3.5-mile walk 10 years ago and found it’s as good for my brain health as it is for my physical health. (Maybe I should think more about my Fantasy Football lineups during those strolls!)
Mark, I have been playing in as many as four diffferent leagues in recent years, so my all-time tally is a bit better due to more opportunity…62 teams since 1998…9 championships. It ain’t easy. The walking has been a great addition to the lifestyle, with of course the goal to live a longer life. Yeah, maybe pondering your lineups while you walk might be fun…you’ve got me on that daily 3.5 miles. I’ve only averaged 2.7 miles a day this year so far. Well done, sir.
Good lord! What a lot of Halloween visitors!
It is a real community get-together, Emma. For one night at least, everyone is “on the same page.”
We are in full-force Pumpkin Spice everything mode here, too. And no complaints from me! I was at Marshall’s yesterday and bought two packages of a pumpkin spice coffee and a caramel maple flavor. It’s not fall without caramel! The subtle changes of the season are so wonderful, aren’t they? I just want the next two months to be done–closer to fall and closer to the end of hurricane season, which, **knock wood** has been relatively quiet for us. And today is my Pumpkin’s birthday! My youngest cat is 7!
A very happy birthday to Pumpkin, Lois…the “baby” at age 7! Caramel really is a big part of this time of year. When not indulging in Pumpkin Spice, Caramel is a solid #2 on the taste list for me. I think you’ve got a really good chance of getting out of hurricane season without too much of a hassle. Things seem to be lining up for that from what I have heard. Fingers crossed here for you.
Love that you are noticing those simple signs of change Bruce. Tuning in and letting the world around you teach awareness.
Now PSL’s are clearly not in that category at all. Pumpkin spice everything has been in the news for 2 weeks here, just like Halloween stuff in stores. I mostly try not to pay attention to that stuff. I think the major hint of fall here in CO is when everyone heads to the mountains for leaf peeping as the aspens change. With our weird weather though I’m curious how that all will be impacted.
Thanks, Deb. I am hoping your weather gets lets weird in due time. I also hope that in spite of the weather challenges this summer, leaf peeping isn’t negatively affected too much. It is a beautiful part of the country to take all of that scenery in.
Autumn is my favorite season for a variety of reasons. Summer I can do without —- high temperatures and a blazing Sun get to me more and more the older I get.
Neil, back in the mid-90s we moved to the suburbs of Memphis, arriving there just as summer was about to begin. That one summer helped make me much more resilient when it came time to return to Philly. It was like living on the sun. Even as I’ve gotten old-er, I always think back to that summer and say “well, it could be worse.”
Ficus says, “it’s HEERE” 😱🍁 (Dun-Dun-Dunnnn…)👻
E.F., Ficus definitely gets the change message before I do. We put a few small ornaments on it at Christmas time…maybe it would appreciate a ghostly decoration to bide the time until then…hmmmm.
Yes, I’m noticing a autumnal vibe as well with teeny tiny shifts in the sunlight as well as a couple of yellow leaves interspersed along the canal trail I walk every day. My heart nearly leapt out of chest at the joy to see some color changes. I’m so over summer this year. And the best news to read every day is the countdown clock of when autumn arrives. 35 days and counting! Hallelujah!
Monika, that countdown clock to Autumn is looking real good right now for both of us. I’m over summer as well, although here it has admittedly been a good one weather-wise. Lots of rain…and not a lot of 90+ days. That’s got to be so much fun to walk that canal trail and see those subtle changes from day to day, and I know I’ll be seeing some shots of those changes from you in the days ahead.
You know it! Can’t wait to be over this summer. It’s been 90 or higher nearly everyday since early on. We even had 90+ degrees on March 31st-quite the shock at that time of year. I’m so looking forward to capturing leaves changing in the near future!
Yes, Bruce the cursed leaves are returning. As you may know, our Frenchie, Tempeste, has an addiction to crunchy brown leaves. The neighbor’s tree is beginning to drop them into our yard one at a time. Gave up coffee? Goodness times must have been desperate. I enjoyed your post and loved the pumpkin spice fog reference.
Thanks, John. Yeah, we have no trees on our property, but still wind up having to fill up some leaf bags each Fall. I like to mulch them into the yard early on, but it reaches a point where there are a bit too many and they should be collected. Tempeste’s “open buffet” is underway already? I’m sleeping better without coffee, but Autumn and Winter are so enjoyable for me I think it might be time to “wake up” a bit!
It’s too soon, darn it! I adore autumn and look forward to it… at the beginning of September. I am one of those weirdos who likes all four seasons, and try not to complain too much about the heat and humidity whilst we are in the throes of summer. September and October are my insane periods at work too – so that might be why I am less in a hurry for it to arrive.
Youse guys and your fantasy football. I truly believe there is a huge amount of luck involved. How fun that you and your wife partake!
Pumpkin spice is great. In cakes and muffins and waffles. Don’t be giving me any in my beverages 😉 And what? no coffee! I couldn’t give it up *read wouldn’t unless I really, REALLY had to.
I swear stores start the holiday decorations et al earlier and earlier every year. By the time said holiday does arrive, we are so saturated, we don’t care anymore. You get a lot of kids! I started getting less and less so now I am one of those meanies who turns off the porch light. My butt cannot afford all the leftovers.
Have a marvellous day, Bruce!!
Thanks, Dale. I gotta be careful around the wife because she adores Summer and I don’t want to ruin her vibe. She is definitely a four-season gal. I hope a Pumpkin Spice Muffin will be on my desk in a day or so and yeah, I think coffee will make a comeback at that time as well. Still working on being able to say “small” instead of “large.” Our leftover Halloween candy gets stretched out over several months as we try to reduce the “impact” of having a couple of pieces a day…thank heavens they made them bite-size!
Haha! I hear ya, Bruce. Please don’t ruin it for her. I can so understand her love of the four seasons – I don’t think I’d be happy in a one or two season place. Too early for pumpkin spice anything! But you do you coz I respect that.
Yes, small is smart (at least to get things going again. Of course, if it’s plain coffee, that is not too bad!
That’s why I don’t buy them – I don’t want the leftovers!
Cheesecake Factory starts offering pumpkin cheesecake week after labor day. (Or is it memorial day? I can never keep those 2 separate in my head)
I must report we have never been to a Cheesecake Factory. We have one about 25 miles away, but have never visited. That being said, I have seen their offerings (and the caloric counts) and am not sure how much I’d trust myself there. Pumpkin Cheesecake? I’d probably never leave.
The calories are outrageous. Its why we only go once a year for our anniversary. One meal can be almost 2 full days worth of calories.
Also the prices help keep us from going there very often 😀
That’s right…I now remember you mentioning that being an anniversary destination. Everything in moderation…whether it be calories or the wallet.
Great minds think alike, Bruce….
I had an indoor ficus plant that moved with us many times over the course of 15 years or so, between 3 different states and four different cities. It eventually became a pet in its own way. Unfortunately the final house it moved to did not have any suitable rooms, so I planted it outside. It thrived over the summer but when winter came, that was it. I found myself amazed at how sad I got when it died. But I planted it in the ground, where it probably became some different kind of plant. Also….
I was a huge Peanuts fan as a kid, probably around the same time you did. I used to read the daily comic religiously and bought a bunch of the books as well. Earlier this year I finally decided to buy a Peanuts book from way back in the day, off eBay I guess. No matter how dark life could get, Peanuts could also bring cheer.
Thanks for sharing your blog!
Thanks, Vance. Your ficus clearly had a great, long run…and I can understand that weighty feeling of loss. We’ve had a couple of plants that took a turn for the worse when we least expected it, and they didn’t have the lengthy life your ficus enjoyed. I have a Peanuts desk calendar I see daily, and also have a few books containing strips and history of the comic. Peanuts always makes me smile.
What a pleasant read, Bruce. I’m headed out the door to a matinee (Matthew McC’s new one) and will try to come back and comment later.
Thanks, Lisa. I am looking forward to hearing what you think of that film, which I assume is the Amziah King movie. Hope you enjoyed it.
Yes, the Amziah King movie. Best film I’ve seen so far this year. Magical and wise.
Trees are our friends. They are happy to help us orient in the world. Not sure if you saw this chain poem I wrote on them awhile back: https://tao-talk.com/2022/10/03/popo2022-day-3-trees/
Good ninja skills with podcastlistening and getting fit together.
Pumpkin spice latte and shakes, YUM. Giving up coffee!? would be like giving up breathing for me. Not gonna happen (for awhile I hope.)
I love the ‘tude of your skelly, almost as if daring the children to yell trick or treat.
Charlie Brown is an anchor in chaos. Willing to give a new spin on it a chance if it streams on a channel I have access to or if the library gets a copy.
Lisa, I now will consider myself a walking podcast ninja. I really enjoyed the tree poem, and it sounds like you really enjoyed the Amziah King movie. I have to put that on my radar now. Our door skeleton likes to get out and stretch once a year, and I secretly think it likes all the attention. I’m looking forward to that first Pumpkin Spice taste…tastes like Autumn.
I only have the one little girl who does Halloween in our community, so she really loads up. Saw the Halloween candy on sale today at the grocery store. Holy $$$$! I thought last year was bad.
I bet that little girl is counting down the days to Halloween. The candy bars have definitely gotten smaller, and the cost has most definitely gotten bigger.
I don’t love Pumpkin Spice like my sister, but I enjoy a few things it’s in (like these delicious baking chips Nestle makes every year! Above all, it’s just a perfect marker to let us know that we’re almost out of the worst season of them all, summer 🙂 Bring on the football, chilly breezes, and more crock pot recipes.
Mark, I know those baking chips…Nestle Toll House…and they are good. My wife loves Summer, so I try not to step on her vibe, but it just doesn’t do a thing for me. Football is indeed back in session soon. It’s gonna get cool at night once more. Our crock pot…we work ours overtime starting in October.
I haven’t seen any signs of autumn just yet, not even Halloween decor. Honestly, I’d welcome both because it would mean that the sparkly lights of Christmas are close. 😊
Also, your Ficus is looking super healthy and fantastic!
We even had the Halloween costume shop open for about a week or so now here! Dunkin’ started selling Pumpkin everything today. I know we both love the lights at Christmas. In the interim, the railing on our steps between floors will now assume some spooky, dark purple lights…in advance of those brighter Yuletide ones which will replace them when the time comes.
The dark purple lights are a nice touch at this stage. 🤓 I can’t be mad at the super early Halloween costume availability. It pays to be on time, a.k.a early. 🥂
Our schools don’t go back till early September and any brown leaves are due to our heat wave. As it finally poured with rain last night I am celebrating proper Sumer weather. However, my niece has already crocheted an orange pumpkin…
Our first school buses started rolling around town this week. We have been fortunate to have had proper Summer weather here throughout, so everything is very much super-green (except for the neighbor’s tree, of course). Your niece’s pumpkin is another sign Autumn is not far off.
“Snoopy Unleashed” — great title. I didn’t know that was in the works, Bruce. You made me laugh about learning to use the word “small” regarding coffee. I only have two cups a day– but those cups contain about 14 ozs. each. I had to give up ordinary coffee a couple of decades ago. The caffeine doesn’t bother me, but the acid results in a lot of pain. There are a few brands of low acid coffee, but I’ve found out that they are NOT created equal (or low enough in acid). I get Kava instant (the least ill effects, but well… it’s instant…) or Lucy Jo low acid ground coffee. Anyhow, enjoy the rest of the week. Hugs to you and yours.
Thanks, Teagan. I got my first Pumpkin Spice drink of the season today and went with espresso as the coffee of choice. I will most likely be drinking cold brew in this “return” to coffee going forward. It was much better for me digestion-wise than regular coffee when I was drinking daily. I’m gonna go slow and small this time around as my sleep improved greatly without the caffeine. Don’t want to mess that up. Have a great rest of the week…hugs to you and yours.
Your opening is an autumn story that could get turned into a screenplay. I ain’t lying.
As for the fall, it has crept up on us thanks to this mess of humidity we’ve been in the ring with for the past . . oh, fourteen rounds. One round to go Rocky! We can do it!!!
I owe my FF knowledge to Albert Breer almost entirely. He loved the Stribling kid out of San Fran, I drafted the Stribling kid. He thinks the Bears can be lights out, I took two of ’em. I tried the FF sites a couple years ago but it honestly felt like guys giving me gambling tips.
Yanno . . I don’t really do any of these drinks you speak of. Every once in a harvest moon, I’ll pick up a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate (Although the frozen drink is also very tasty) but I tend to keep it to my daily Bustelo.
Imma have to check out the Snoopy movie. I just signed up for Apple last month and have been enjoying the shows thus far.
Here’s rooting for less humidity!
Thanks, Marc. I think for three days in a row last week every time I looked at my phone it said the humidity was 100%. That’s fairly humid. Step out of the house and your hair becomes a sheet. I listen to the CBS Sports Fantasy Football Today podcast regularly. They have fun with each other, but they disagree and make solid points defending their takes. Matthew Berry just left NBC, but he still has his Fantasy Football Happy Hour podcast. He’s been doing this longer than anyone. I had my first Pumpkin Spice beverage today and went with espresso. I normally drink cold brew because it is easier on my system, and I’m sure as I slowly bring coffee back to the table cold brew will be the go to. I don’t know if you checked out Pluribus on Apple but I gotta tell ya…I didn’t think I’d get into that show at all when I heard the premise…but I loved it. It is definitely worth taking a peek at. Here’s to less humidity!
That right there is a big fat nope. 100 percent anything is rarely good unless we’re talking chocolate or Vera Farmiga.
They have some really good ones. I tried a lot of them over my first year doing it. Breer is just my go to when it comes to football. Love the guy.
I understand. We have to do right by our systems.
Pluribus huh? It’s on the list! Thank ya.
Less Hum. More midity!
I have seen Breer on the NFL Network in the past. I will have to check him out. Thanks. As for Pluribus, I should have added the disclaimer it is a thinking-person’s show which goes very s-l-o-w at times. It is not an action series whatsoever, and sometimes you’ll wonder if it is going anywhere at all. I am confident Season 2 will be when the action ramps up. It’s just so unusual, kinda like Severance (which drove me nuts last season, but that’s a story for another day…)
He’s my guy for all things football. Having followed Peter King, he had big shoes to fill and he’s done more than just good.
I don’t mind those kinds of shows. I can go fast paced, I can go slow paced. If the story is keeping me interested, I’m in.
You approaching autumn means I’m approaching spring. Our Costco has been full of Halloween stuff for two months.
I follow World Cup Skiing, and in what serves as our summertime top skiers from all over the world go down to the Southern Hemisphere to train. I will read up on how certain skiers are doing while they are there, but for some reason I never think about the fact it is wintertime there…just that they have snow lol.
I so enjoyed this post, Bruce. How the sun changes is my first indication that fall is approaching, too. Unfortunately Halloween and pumpkin spice arrives in full force, then Thanksgiving is forgotten, and it’s on to Christmas. Way too commercial.
Thanks, Jennie. Thanksgiving always loses out because of that seasonal “creep” of Christmas. Some places start putting our Christmas stuff in late September. Halloween then gets shoved to the sidelines, and is almost an after-thought for some people. The commercial, retail calendar is much different than the real one.
I was at Costco today, and there was nothing for Halloween but LOTS for Christmas. Sigh! Unfortunately the retail calendar rules the roost.
I can’t say I am shocked Costco had Christmas stuff out, but geez that’s super-early even for a Christmas lover like me. I like to take ’em one at a time…Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. There is plenty of time to enjoy each one.
I feel the same way. I want to enjoy every holiday.
Love your list of the signs of fall. And you are so right, Halloween is so fun because the community is united in having a good time. But I don’t buy candy this early either — because I’d eat it long before handing it out!
Thank you for the backstory on the Peanuts movie. What an incredible franchise with staying power — and generations of family involvement!
Thanks, Wynne. We like to wait on the candy purchase not only because we’d start reducing it upon receipt, but because we never know how many leftovers there will be…but there will be leftovers! Peanuts is a treasure for the whole world to enjoy, and its longevity is incredible. Agreed!
Did someone say pumpkin spice???
Pumpkin Spice season is off and running, as is my more controlled consumption of coffee containing it.
As a lifelong Peanuts fan, this is great news! I have the three classic holiday specials on DVD, and watch them every year.
In my house, there’s about a two-week period where a beam of sunlight shines through the window next to the front door and down the staircase, reaching as far as my basement desk. It never lasts long, but is always a reminder that the seasons are, indeed, changing.
I love pumpkin spice too, but limit myself to one coffee every fall. Delicious as the PSL is, it’s just too damn sweet.
Mark, we have those DVDs as well! And to be sure, we watch each special every year. I even put it in my phone as a reminder to do so. That beam of sunlight sounds like a perfect sign something is “up” with the seasons there. Two days in and I have had two pumpkin coffee drinks. Everything in moderation this season…but yeah, that PSL is a different animal altogether.
I stopped by Dunkin’ yesterday but didn’t see the PSL yet. Maybe I just wasn’t paying close attention!
Dunkin’s Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte is supposed to be in all stores now, and I actually had one yesterday! Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is supposed to be in stores next Tuesday. That one usually gets referred to as the “official” PSL. I suppose Dunkin’ added “signature” to set theirs apart…rather than call it the PSSL lol.
Ha! I’m curious which one you like better. Overall, I like Dunkin’s coffee better (especially when it’s iced).
I agree. Whether it be hot or cold, I absolutely prefer Dunkin’ coffee. Of course, sometimes our Dunkin’ can get a little “heavy-handed” on the ice part of their iced drinks lol.
“It’s fun for both of us (except when we’re playing each other)” made me laugh. Y’all are way to competitive for these things!
You’ve got to be kidding me… Halloween decorations are already in stores??? That’s crazy! Maybe next week you’ll see artificial Christmas trees for sale next.
My wife is very gracious when she loses to me in Fantasy Football, Lashaan. It just takes a little while for her to resume speaking to me lol. The Halloween costume stores are already open, and I have no doubt by Labor Day here we’ll have those artificial Christmas trees plant themselves in some stores.
Almost time time to spice up my pumpkin pie! My local pub will soon be holding its annual pumpkin competition with massive ones turninig up in wheelbarrows, on tractors and in trucks!
That pub pumpkin competition sounds like a great time, Keith. I’m gonna guess that establishment may break out some pumpkin beer for consumption at that time. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow Bruce, your plant energy is palpable and how lucky to have a warning and put it together.. it takes me forever too. It’s just gorgeous. Love your post filled with so much joy and good vibes. Cheers to the changing seasons and the intuition a your ficus❣️
Thanks, Cindy. Ficus is truly wise beyond its years, and thanks you for the lovely compliment. Cheers to the hand-off from Summer to Fall!🍂
You are so welcome! You have the Midas touch!
Mine were always very finicky!
A lovely way to be the transition! 💕
Is it just me, or if scrolling down the page over that photo of the neighbor’s tree does it briefly look like that car is suspended in the middle of the tree trunk to anyone else?
As a lifetime coffee disliker I’ve found that chai tea is quite tasty with most anything made to enhance coffee (at least when it’s hot, I haven’t tried it cold). Flavored coffee creamers or whatever people put in their coffee are great in chai tea so you could have your fill of pumpkin spice in chai tea and forget the coffee altogether.
I lol when I read your comment on the photo of the neighbor’s tree. The car really does look “parked” in that tree. My wife is lobbying for me to stick to the Chai and bring the Pumpkin Spice to it also. Definitely giving me a viable option to think about.
Ficusesez are wise in the ways of the seasons. 😀
So true. Ficus has proven time and time again to be wise beyond its years as the seasons roll on. 😊
Wow, I love your indoor tree, I’m currently obsessed with having lots of indoor plants, ahah. Pumpkin Spice everything is definitely the first sign of fall, though I wish Starbucks would release Chestnut Praline Latte sooner, that’s my favorite drink! In the summertime, I do enjoy iced chai lattes as well.
Now, I think retail seasonal decor gets earlier and earlier. Halloween is in August, and we’ll have Christmas decor in September! 😀
In any case, I love that Peanuts continue to thrive!! As MN is my adopted state, I have a special fondness for Charles Schulz’s creation. I actually interviewed Craig Schulz on my blog over a decade ago for The Peanuts Movie. I’m glad to see it’s become a generational endeavor, as his son is now involved as well. Fun post, Bruce!
Thanks, Ruth. We have done well with several indoor plants at our current home. Ficus and Company have thrived since we moved here. I have had that Chestnut Praline beverage and it is soooo good. I can see where that would be your fave. It is so weird to see all of the Halloween stuff out in the middle of August. Fortunately, our temps here outside of Philly have cooled off a good bit so it kinda, sorta feels like Fall. We are of like mind on all things Peanuts – have to check out that interview!
I don’t think there’s a Ficus and Company here in Minnesota, so we have to rely on local nurseries, which we have plenty of 🪴
I wish the temps would cool down slightly here. My ideal temps is mid 60s-70s, even though I was born in a tropical country, ahah.
Here’s the Peanuts interview https://flixchatter.net/2015/11/19/interview-with-the-peanuts-movies-writer-producer-craig-shulz-and-director-steve-martino/
Lol, I meant to say my Ficus and our other house plants (“and Company”) were doing well. We just went under 60 degrees last night for the first time since the spring. It is a breath of fresh air…literally. Thanks for the link!
Mwahahaha!! My bad, I thought that’s where you got the plants! 😆
I think we hit below 60 at night a few times, which is fine by me, but yeah, if it’s during the day, that is a bit too cold for August!
Yes! Been feeling it in the air for the past few days. I do love Fall. Coincidentally, the other day I was wondering whether pen pals is still a thing. (I guess Apple TV and the Peanuts people believe it is.) I guess being part of the blogging community is kind of like pen pals….
We got down below 60 degrees last night for the first time in quite awhile, and Fall is definitely in the air here now. I like the idea of people still occasionally writing to each other, no matter how quaint the concept seems. Writing to each other in the comments section of blogs is definitely a pen pal adjacent activity. I like that analogy!
Lulu: “I’ve heard that Mama and Dada used to have a ficus a long time ago, but that was back in New York so none of us ever saw it. It could just be a rumor …”
We have pictures of Ficus as a baby, so no rumors ever got started around it was already this big when it came into our home. Ficus has been here the entire time since it was gifted to us as a new born…and also has never been to New York.
A most interesting nostalgic post, Bruce. And, of course, Holidays always include Charlie Brown!! Well done, my friend.
Thanks, Dwight. I do think a lot of people celebrate their Holidays with Charlie and the Peanuts Gang!
yes… my boys watched them every year!
Oboy, a new Peanuts movie. Thanks for the info!
Happy fall, Bruce. May the Great Pumpkin shower you with its seeds… of love!
Say Hi to you ficus for me.
~★~
Happy Fall as well, Resa. I am sure the Great Pumpkin will bestow upon you the same love. (Ficus is waving hello back to you!)
Ooooo – Ficus love!
I like some pod casts as well at times but I’m hooked on Audible books…and I won my division in Fantasy Baseball for the first time. The playoffs are coming up but I dont’ have much hope in that.
As we have talked about before…I LOVE the Peanuts and I have a garage full of Peanuts items from the 1960s until now. I’m happy his song and grandson is involved!
Congrats on the Fantasy Baseball division title, and best of luck in the playoffs! I knew you’d love the Peanuts info, and that garage of yours probably has some real gems in it. It sounds like you have a great collection.
Yea we spent crazy in the late 90s but now…that stuff would be much much more. But lol…we like it too much to sell it!
Thanks…I’m just happy to not come in 4th place again.
In spite of temps reaching into the 90s again today, I have to agree with you, Bruce, the signs of the times say autumn doth approach! We too have a tree, a black walnut, that begins losing its leaves in August, long before the others. Leaflets turn gold and fall in showers when a breeze comes along. Quite lovely, actually. Enjoy your Fantasy Football! I’ll watch a few Ohio State games with my husband. That’s been “his team” since he was a boy growing up in Columbus. (P.S. Thank you for visiting my blog, From the Inside Out!)
Nancy, that black walnut tree sounds like it provides a very lovely scene this time of year. Your husband certainly has a big game coming up this weekend at Texas. I trust you’ll be watching that one…as will my wife and I. Growing up in Columbus – he HAS to be a Buckeye fan, right? Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog, and I really enjoyed your Mission Impossible post. I’ll be visiting again soon!