September 23, 2026

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On The Upside with Marley

There’s Something Nice About A Change Of Season

Summer has officially handed the keys over to autumn.

For some people, that’s wonderful news. They’re already thinking about colourful leaves, cool evenings, favourite sweaters and the unmistakable smell of fall in the air.

Others are probably staring sadly at the patio furniture wondering how summer disappeared so quickly.

I’ve always thought there’s something comforting about living somewhere with four distinct seasons. Just when one begins feeling familiar, another arrives and changes everything.

Perhaps we need that. Perhaps we don’t truly appreciate the summer without the other seasons to experience.

Life can become remarkably repetitive. We travel the same roads, follow the same routines and sometimes barely notice the weeks passing. Then one morning the air feels different. The leaves begin changing. Darkness arrives a little earlier. Suddenly we’re paying attention again.

Nature has a wonderful way of reminding us that change isn’t necessarily something to resist.

Of course, not every change in life arrives as beautifully as autumn leaves. Some changes are uncomfortable. Some aren’t our choice. Others take us somewhere we never expected to go.

But seasons remind us that nothing remains exactly the same forever—and that isn’t always bad news.

The bare trees of November eventually produce the green buds of May. The snow we complain about in February feeds the lakes and gardens we enjoy in July.

Every season contributes something to the next one.

Maybe our lives work that way too.

So instead of mourning the season that’s ending, perhaps we can become curious about the one beginning.

Put on the sweater. Take the scenic drive. Walk through the leaves. Notice what’s changing.

Sometimes the best way to enjoy life is simply to appreciate the season we’re in.

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Why Autumn Has A Smell

Walk outside on a cool September morning and autumn can sometimes seem to have its own unmistakable smell.

There isn’t one single ingredient responsible for it. Instead, we’re noticing a mixture of changes happening around us.

Fallen leaves begin decomposing, releasing organic compounds into the air. Cooler temperatures and increased moisture can make earthy scents from soil, fungi and vegetation more noticeable. Plants are also changing as they prepare for winter.

Then there’s our own sense of smell. Cool, crisp air contains less humidity than a muggy summer afternoon, which can change how scents travel and how we perceive them.

Memory plays a role too. Smell is closely connected with parts of the brain involved in memory and emotion. The scent of fallen leaves, wood smoke or damp earth can instantly remind us of school days, Thanksgiving dinners, hiking trails or childhood afternoons spent jumping into leaf piles.

So when someone says, “It smells like fall,” they’re actually describing a fascinating combination of chemistry, weather—and memory.

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Five Things Worth Doing Before The Snow Flies

Autumn in Ontario is beautiful, but it’s also nature’s friendly reminder that winter isn’t terribly far behind.

Take one unnecessary drive. Pick a road because it’s scenic rather than because it’s the fastest route somewhere.

Eat outside one more time. A sweater and a warm drink can stretch patio season surprisingly far.

Visit a local trail. A familiar walk can look completely different once autumn colours arrive.

Photograph something ordinary. Your backyard, favourite street or nearby lake may look spectacular for only a few weeks.

Finish one outdoor job you’ve been avoiding. Future-you will be grateful when you’re not trying to do it during the first snowfall.

Winter will arrive soon enough. There’s no need to rush it.

Autumn deserves its turn.

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The Three Budgies

Three budgies were sitting in a cage.

One was perched near the top, another sat on the middle perch and the third was sitting on the lowest perch.

A visitor looked at them and asked the owner, “Which one owns the cage?”

The owner pointed to the bird sitting at the bottom.

“That one.”

“How can you tell?”

“Easy,” replied the owner. “The other two are on higher perches.”

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The Socks

A man decided he was going to become much more organized.

He started by making sure he put on a clean pair of socks every single morning.

Monday, a clean pair.

Tuesday, another clean pair.

Wednesday and Thursday, exactly the same routine.

By Friday, he was very proud that he’d stuck with his new habit.

There was just one problem.

He could barely get his shoes on.

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The Psychiatrist’s Light Bulb

A psychiatrist was asked how many psychiatrists it takes to change a light bulb.

“Only one,” she replied.

“Really? That’s all?”

“Certainly.”

She paused.

“But the light bulb has to genuinely want to change.”

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The Nervous Wreck

A teacher asked her class a riddle:

“What lies at the bottom of the ocean and shakes?”

The students offered all sorts of answers—an earthquake, a submarine and even a frightened octopus.

Finally the teacher smiled.

“A nervous wreck.”

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The Red Bucket

A father decided to test his son’s powers of observation.

“What’s red and looks exactly like a bucket?”

The boy shrugged.

“A red bucket.”

“Correct. Now what’s blue and looks exactly like a bucket?”

The boy thought much harder this time.

His father grinned.

“A red bucket in disguise.”

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A Hazy Fall Morning

A picture I took while camping in Algonquin Park a few summers ago.
The colour of the hardwood peeking through the fog was stunning…

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Editor’s Quote Book

“Do things for people not because of who they are, or what they can do in return, but because of who you are.”

— Unknown

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Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

 

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Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

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Hot Cross Bunnies

What do you get when you pour boiling water down a rabbit hole?

Hot cross bunnies.

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The Playground

Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide.

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The Grape

What did the grape say when the elephant stepped on it?

Nothing. It just gave a little wine.

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Russell

What do you call a man hiding in a bush?

Russell.

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The Teacher

What do you call a teacher with no arms, legs or body?

The head.

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Marley’s Video Pick

Autumn Colours Through Algonquin Park

There may be no better place to appreciate an Ontario autumn than Algonquin Provincial Park. This relaxing drive along Highway 60 takes us through the park as the sugar and red maples transform the landscape into brilliant shades of orange, yellow and red. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes change doesn’t simply need to be accepted—it deserves to be enjoyed.

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The Last Word

“Every season asks us to let something go—and gives us something new to notice.”

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