soup & school

This morning's weather -- dark, drizzly, cool but not cold -- kept making me think of soup labels. All I can figure is that my mother must have sent me to school on a day like this with the Campbell's soup labels that she had saved over the summer. The labels always had those ridges from the shape of the can, and they were fastened together with a paper clip.

Maybe I should be Jewish, because I really think that the "new year" starts in September. I love September and October. I don't think I'll ever outgrow my affection for school supplies, new shoes and socks, book covers, buying Halloween candy, brightly-colored maple trees, acorns on the sidewalk, caramel apples, and sunny, low-humidity days. Even the few bad things about early autumn (football season, yellowjackets, increased traffic) are pretty easy to get over. I can't wait to start buying fresh apples at the farmer's market. I can't wait to start wearing sweaters and corduroy pants again. I can't wait to stop shaving my legs every time I take a shower. I can't wait to make knishes and a nice hearty soup.