Forget summer, it's all about fall

Autumn begins one month from now and I can't wait.

For me, it's all about the "F" words foliage, football and flea markets.

Truth is, I really don't mind leaving summer behind. Summer isn't special to me.

But fall brings the weather, sports and activity I relish.

Years ago, there was a lighthearted tune that encouraged us to head for the hills or go swimming because "It's summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime."

People rush to the shore in droves. But leave me out of it.

I've never been into shore worship, suntans or ocean culture.

I can't appreciate a lobster unless it's traveling with parsley and drawn butter.

And I don't know the difference between a surfboard and an emery board.

I've avoided saltwater ever since watching "Jaws."

That blood-and-gore movie woke me up. There are things in the ocean that don't particularly like us.

Or maybe they like us too much.

The thought of becoming an hors d'oeuvre for a shark takes away the fun of splashing in the big pond.

Yes, saltwater is scary. I'm even too nervous to go near saltwater taffy.

But each person is unique. Everyone has a preference or routine.

"For me, it's not summer unless we go to Knoebel's," says my friend Dennis, in reference to a regional amusement park.

Then there are the mountains. I like them, but I grew up in the mountains and have grown accustomed.

I recall trying to identify trees by their leaves, and spotting migratory birds using a booklet from the National Audubon Society.

As for hiking, I've done more than my share. I probably spent more time in the woods than Bigfoot.

I have lots of memories but few photos because, in years gone by, we didn't take selfies with a Polaroid Swinger.

Camping can be fun, of course, when it's not raining.

The fresh air is great. Communing with nature has its rewards. And I admit that sharing lunch with bees, spiders and ants is exciting in a Neanderthal sort of way. But enough. Been there, done that.

I've come to understand that, for me, a fall staycation is best.

If Al Gore can say he invented the Internet, I can say I invented the staycation. I find all kinds of interesting things to do without a need to travel far.

I don't need to turn into Indiana Jones for three months out of the year in order to say I've had a good time.

I'd rather become absorbed at a flea market, for instance, or an estate auction.

Antiques are fascinating. There's so much to learn about our ancestors, how they lived and the household contrivances they found useful or necessary.

One of my acquaintances, Tom, is a retired Penn State journalism professor who spends his spare time taking pictures of old country barns. In fact, he's just finishing up a photo book of his best shots.

Now there's a summer pastime I can understand. In fact, I've done it myself.

In our area, we have an abundance of bank barns and old Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch farmsteads.

Many of the barns and outbuildings feature vintage advertising signage and folk art.

And how about those magnificent, decorative hex signs!

Hex signs are a study in color. They cry out to be photographed, and fall is the best time to do it.

Of course, a cameraman needs to observe limits and avoid trespassing.

It's always wise to practice safe hex.

And so I don't need the mountains.

I don't need the sea.

Just give me fall and nostalgia,

And happy I'll be.