Autumn Equinox

As I mentioned yesterday, the internet was full of end of the world predictions for 9-23. That would have really sucked, because I had all the intentions of balancing an egg at the equinox. But, despite the apocalyptic reprieve, I missed the moment and slept through it anyway. Who holds an equinox between 12 and 1 am? I mean, a guy has to get a little sleep.

The good news is that we are all still here and Autumn is finally upon us. I love this season. I love wearing hoodies and jeans. I love the sound and sight of rustling leaves. I love the autumn sun, because it just warms you. It doesn’t sizzle your skin like you are a vampire, the way the summer sun does. Now I can sit on our beautiful deck for more than 5 minutes during day light hours.

And my favorite holiday, Halloween, falls this season. I spend all of October catching the scary movies. I, of course, always watch The Exorcist at least once. I had read the novel back in ’71. Scared the shit out of me. My mother used to work for the Jesuits, and had to copy the actual file back in 70. Knowing it was based on a real event (changed the gender, locale and the background) made it a little cooler when I went to see it during the Christmas break in 1973 in downtown Manhattan. The people from the earlier show were so traumatized as they exited the theater some of the people waiting on line bailed, which was fine because it got the rest of us inside a little sooner. The lines were around the block and it was cold as fuck.

Over the years that movie has lost a little of its power, although if I’m watching it alone, I still try to do it during the afternoon. The Director’s Cut still does the job, especially when the kid straddle crawls down the ceiling of the stairway.

Not sure if I buy the orthodox version of Satan that I was introduced to in my Catholic upbringing. In fact, once I read John Milton’s Paradise Lost, I felt a little empathy for a guy who served the boss so loyally for such a long time before being demoted when Jesus got the job. I would have been pissed too. The first English paper in college that I actually cared about was entitled, “In Defense of Satan In Milton’s Paradise Lost.” As a matter of fact, it’s the only English paper I remember writing. I guess the elves were not down with ghost writing that one. No wonder I became a lawyer. Got an A.

But that does not mean I don’t believe that there is evil out there, or that humans cannot be possessed by it. I’m just not sure it all stems from fallen angels.

Again, it goes back to my idea of the Creator. I just don’t think an all-knowing, perfect being, would have let things in heaven spiral out of control like that. My Creator would have figured out a better way. I can hear my poor mother in heaven now, pleading my case for an insanity verdict to get me past the Pearly Gates. Good luck with that.

But getting back to non-devil entities that can scare the shit out of you, poltergeists and miserable ghosts who were once miserable humans work for me. That is why the Paranormal Activity films still do the trick. I always fit them into my October viewing schedule.

I know that most of my friends love the fall for the football. Fair enough. I can take it or leave it.

I used to love going to the Fordham Prep Turkey Bowl every year. I used to watch my younger brother John play way back in the day. He was heading towards a college scholarship when, in his senior year, two assholes purposely took out his knee. I used to film John’s games with a super 8 camera. I think he still has those films.

I watched my son Luke play at the Prep as well. He was talented. It was fun. My whole family, including my parents and siblings, and Lisa, would go to the game and then afterwards we would have a great meal back at the family home on Mosholu.

And as far as autumn vs. winter holidays are concerned, I’ll take Thanksgiving over Christmas each and every time. Thanksgiving is what it advertises to be. A time to give thanks. No pressure, other than contributing to a meal. Then the family gathers and we watch a little TV, break each others balls and eat around a huge table. While I never said it out loud, I was always thankful to see everyone show up.

While I cannot cook for shit, I am great at doing dishes. It’s therapeutic. We all have a part to play.

On the other hand, Christmas is all about getting the right gifts for the right people. You always forget somebody and those you don’t forget usually don’t really like what you got them anyway. That got a little better when Lisa and I transitioned to a cash instead of merchandise system.

All kids love cash.

I know, Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of Jesus, and I can appreciate the impact of that idea on my very Catholic family. And I respect their feelings and beliefs. But it’s kind of gotten away from me. I cannot see past the commercialization of that holiday that begins in August.

But whatever floats your boat. I still celebrate Christmas. Always watch “Love Actually,” to get into the mood. We always tip everyone that has provided any regular service to us. Pay it forward.

Lisa tends to pick up the Christmas day shift so the nurses with kids get to stay home.

Now that Luke and Georgie have taken their kids to Oz, we’ve scaled back on the Christmas decorations. That’s fine with me. Humping that stuff out of the garage or the storage closet each year is no fun, and I always found Christmas decorations a little sad beginning on the 26th.

And did I mention, I hate the cold. And right around Christmas it gets really cold here in NoCo.

Back in Riverdale, my brother John and his wife Tara always hold a huge Christmas party. They still do. It was fun because all of the blood and non-blood Clan would show up. We ate well and shot the shit. Lots of laughs. It felt like a second Thanksgiving.

Which brings me back to Autumn. Pumpkins. Apples. Family.

I’m quite glad the world didn’t end.

My first day of Autumn was spent doing my weekend chores. So now I’m just getting to sit down and blog. It’s a little strange doing this when the sun is out.

I still have some books to shift from the garage to Geppetto’s studio, so I better get to it.

I really hope you fine, five readers had some fun.

Let’s make the rest of the day a great one.