It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts but, in the spirit of autumn’s arrival, I thought I’d engage in a short creativity exercise and invite you to do the same.
Want to give it a try? All you have to do is match the sense (sight, taste, smell, touch, sound) to the season, connecting a concrete impression with the abstract. Sound confusing? Nah! ‘Tis simple. Check it out:
What does autumn look like?
Fat orange pumpkins and floppy scarecrows reclining on front porches
What does autumn taste like?
Apple cider
What does autumn smell like?
Wood-smoke rising from a hearth
What does autumn feel like?
The touch of frost on a brisk morning
What does autumn sound like?
Dried leaves crunching underfoot
How about it? What are your impressions of this vibrantly colorful season?
Even if you only try one or two, take a moment to engage your senses and your creative muse. I’d love to read what you come up with!
What does autumn look like?
A cacophony of color…rich reds, burnt oranges, sunny yellows and all matter of browns…in the trees and on the ground. I love the beauty of leaves changing colors.
What does autumn taste like?
The dance of cinnamon and nutmeg wrapping themselves around the warm creaminess of pumpkin spice. Mmmm…Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes. 🙂
What does autumn smell like?
Cool and earthy…the soil from the last harvest, from brisk walks in the woods.
What does autumn feel like?
Flannel shirts and warm, soft sweaters to go with the soft, worn denim jeans.
What does autumn sound like?
The crunch of body hitting body, blown whistles, erruptions of cheers and chatter and boos, and a football whistling through the air. You got it! Football season… 🙂
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Beautiful, Kitt. You hit upon so many things that I associate with autumn, right down to the grunt and crowd cheering roar of football (and I know you’re a fan, LOL). Loved the “dance of cinnamon and nutmeg wrapping themselves around the warm creaminess of pumpkin spice.” Postively lyrical! Makes me want to curl up with a cup of flavored coffee and a good read.
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Well, Miss Lady, that was my other favorite thing to do in the fall when I wasn’t playing football in the yard. :-). This exercise was a blast. I may have to take on the winter round… 🙂
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I have a lot of these gems! I got the idea from a very old “creative thinking” book called “What Does Childhood Taste Like?” I still love to dig it out after 20+ years and browse through it.
And have you heard of the Story Wheel? I have a hand-held one that you spin but I think there’s a free online verison. Something to keep the muse entertained every now and then.
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This is a lovely post. And yours are great, especially the Halloween images.
Looks like:Twilight coming in at an earlier hour each day.
Tastes like: hot tea in the mornings.
Smells like: cleansing rain.
Feels like: wrapping up warm in cosy sweaters.
Sounds like: the world quieting down a little.
My answers suck compared to yours and Kitt’s 🙂
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I don’t know… I liked your answers. And I began to wish I liked tea!
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I can’t survive with Barry’s tea, at least 3 times a day.
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I used to drink hot tea and nothing but for years. Still love it, but my Keurig introduced me to the pleasures of GOOD coffee!
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I think you had great answers, Emma! I particulary loved twilight coming earlier each day and cleansing rain. I’ve been in love with rain lately . . .lying in bed in the early mornings and listening to it patter against the windows….or writing up a storm during the day when it’s creating a symphony of sound outside.
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I have a soothing sounds CD and it’s full of rain and thunder.
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I’ve got a few of them myself. Love them!
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Ooh, fun, Mae Clair.
looks like: clear, crisp colors exploding across the landscape
tastes like: bitter herbs and hot, creamy coffee
smells like: mulch and fresh air
feels like: all the summer’s heavy warmth evaporates and leaves me with an energy I wish I had all year round.
sounds like: kids giggling, swings creaking, leaves gliding softly to earth
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Love your sounds like! Kids giggling is high on my list of cool autumn sounds.
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Your impressions ROCK, Jessi. Postively beautiful, every last one of them! I particulary love the creaking swings. Wow, does that bring back memories!
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Good grief, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Autumn is apple crisp!! Yummy. I wish I could say just an apple cos apple crisp is fattening, but oh well. It’s the only time of year I eat it. Gotta keep trim, you know, just in case I meet a handsome vampire either at Halloween or one who climbs out of the pages of my book.
Lovely post Mae, as usual!!
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I love apple crisp, Debbie! And I could do with that handsome vamp too, LOL. I have two things I MUST eat during autumn/halloween (like your apple crisp). Mine are ginger snap cookies and a carmel-coated apples with nuts. October just isn’t October unless I allow myself a minor indulgence of each!
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It looks all orange, red and yellow.
It tastes like whiskey and ginger wine.
It smells like a wet dog that’s been out in the rain.
It feels damp and cold every morning.
It sounds like the central heating is coming on 🙂
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Sally, these are wonderful! I wrapped my senses around each and each one, especailly that ‘wet dog that’s been out in the rain.’ I don’t even have a dog and that one resonated off the charts with me, LOL!
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It’s most enjoyable, reading everyone’s “Autumnal” thoughts and feelings. Loads of fun. Great post Mae 🙂
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Thanks, Sally. This was a fun one. I loved seeing everyone’s impressions 🙂
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Whiskey I like. Never heard of ginger wine. Do you drink it alone or combined with the whiskey? Inquiring minds want to know… 🙂
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It’s called a whiskey mac. Half whiskey and half Stones Ginger Wine. It’s very warming on a chilly autumn evening when you are relaxing 🙂
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Making me use my imagination on this fine autumn night, huh Mae! Okay, well here goes…
What does autumn look like: A sunset of colors springing from the earth.
What does autumn taste like: Sweet and warm apple cider.
What does autumn smell like: Fresh, crisp morning air.
What does autumn feel like: Cool on the outside, while wonderfully toasty on the inside
What does autumn sound like: Rustling leaves in howling winds.
Loved everyone’s thoughts on these! Fun post, Mae!
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These were awesome, L.J! Glad you enjoyed the post. I so loved your ‘sunset of colors springing from the earth.’ A lovely image painting with words.
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My poetry muse makes a rare appearance 😀
the baby blue heavens deepens in colour
to the azure October sky
Nature’s beauty shines in death
the golden and red leaves mingle with
the stubborn green ones
winter lays in wait around the corner
its scent as crisp as a just picked apple cooling hot skin
wind fights to retain its gentleness, in desperation
throws itself against the tree’s finery
bare branches shake in its wake
as the foliage floats in the air landing on still green grass
the sound foretells the storms to come
the sun slips into its winter coat
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Bravo, Sue! So incredibly visual and lyrical. And that last line is the perfect ASTOUNDING close! 🙂
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It looks like a cool rain falling over the city.
Smells like falling leaves.
And tastes like halloween candy 😉 http://annabelle-candy.com/blog/2011/09/halloween-history-and-candy-traditions/halloween-candy/
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Oooh, love all three of these! So perfect! Many thanks for stopping by 🙂
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The Snap! of cheek red’ning chill;
The Crackle! of gold and sable bills underfoot;
The Pop! of jeweled hills in the late day sun;
I love the first bowlful of Autumn,
Poured out and ready to be
Devoured.
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Those are awesome descriptions! I hear, see and smell Autumn in vivid clarity. Thanks for visiting my blog 😀
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Cinnamon sticks simmering in my tea
Apples for pie and crunching leaves
Pumpkin pie and hot cocoa too
Mittens and woolen sleeves and much more too…
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Aww, wonderful scents, sights and sounds for autumn, Bette. You have a lovely grasp of the season. Many thanks for sharing those lovely images 🙂
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