Fall Traditions
Pull up a chair and sit awhile.
November 2, 2026
Dear Friend:
I have often joked that in the South, if you blink, you'll miss fall. Having grown up in Pennsylvania, I was accustomed to a much longer display of autumn color. The leaves began changing, the temperatures dropped, and we had time to enjoy the transformation. Here in Nashville, it sometimes seems that just as the trees begin showing their beautiful colors, the leaves are already beginning to fall.
This is not to say that one location is better than the other. On the contrary, it is a demonstration of the uniqueness of two places I have called home. I enjoy living in Tennessee very much, but I am deliberate about making sure I take the time to enjoy the autumn colors before they are gone for the year.
In Pennsylvania, I lived in the country and enjoyed seeing the beautiful colors, the farm fields, and the roadside stands filled with pumpkins and corn stalks. Here in Tennessee, there is certainly plenty of beautiful fall foliage, although I don't happen to live in the middle of it anymore. Just as I make sure to take the time to enjoy the fall foliage, I also make a point of seeking out those pumpkins and corn stalks.
I still enjoy bringing a little autumn into my own home. A few seasonal touches can make an apartment feel warm and inviting. But I also enjoy getting out and seeing what others have done. There is something about a display of pumpkins, colorful mums, and corn stalks that makes the season feel complete. Sometimes it is the simplest things that remind us that fall has arrived.
Although autumn may be shorter here in Middle Tennessee, there is certainly no shortage of ways to celebrate the season. From the beautiful displays at Cheekwood to the harvest festivals, farmers' markets, and celebrations of German heritage, Nashville has its own way of welcoming fall. And if you travel a little farther east, the Smoky Mountains offer an entirely different autumn experience.
There is a connection between Pennsylvania and Tennessee: both have rich cultural traditions, including German influences in Pennsylvania and Appalachian influences in Tennessee. They express their heritage in different ways. Having grown up in a German community in Pennsylvania, I especially appreciate finding some familiar traditions here in Tennessee. It reminds me that even when we move away from the places where we grew up, we can discover familiar pieces of home in unexpected places.
We don't have to live in the same place or have the same surroundings to continue enjoying the traditions that have always meant something to us. Sometimes, we simply find new ways to enjoy them. And perhaps that is one of the nicest things about change. It can introduce us to new experiences without taking away the things we have always loved.
Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.
Be well,
Emma
Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, where every story starts with a memory. Through stories of family, friendships, music, traditions, hometowns, and life's simple pleasures, she invites readers to pull up a chair, stay awhile, and remember the moments that have shaped their lives.