By Katie Broker
Checked Out
There is something undeniably magical about autumn: the creeping chill in the evening air, the early sunsets, and the way the harvest moon glows against a dusky blue and purple sky. Taking a walk at twilight, watching the last light of the day fade while breathing in the scent of fallen leaves and woodsmoke from backyard firepits, I can take it in infinitely and still feel like I’ll never have enough.
I love so many things about this season and the colder months to come: the holidays, evenings curled up reading, fall festivals and events, and chilly evening walks. I remember visiting the library with my mom this time of year, too.
She had something she called “Fun Friday” that we’d do a couple of times a month. After school, we would pile in the car and spend the evening doing various activities. We’d go to the park, get dinner somewhere, and visit the library, where my mom would write while my brother and I read books or played games on the children’s computers. We’d check out books to take home, then stop at the grocery store for a snack haul before heading home to build a blanket fort and read together.
This is why I love reading and the fall and winter seasons so much. This could be a testament to how important it is to foster a love of reading early in life, and that is very important; but so is keeping a love of reading and spontaneous adventure alive throughout our adult lives. Take your kids with you; these could be lasting memories they carry on throughout their lives.
I still have a “Fun Friday” occasionally, though it looks a little different now that I’m at the library every day. Do I still build blanket forts at 37? No, but I have mood lighting courtesy or smart bulbs, a great reading playlist and the best coffee and hot cocoa.
I’d love to see my mom’s tradition inspire others to go out in our community, enjoy the parks and activities, and eventually end up at the library, picking out books and reading together.
Here’s what a Fun Friday could look like for you:
Grab dinner at a local restaurant; Bogey’s is still my favorite. Though RIP Mr. Goodcents and Sub ’n Stuff, you’ll always be in my memories.
Take a walk at Dillon Nature Center; this time of year is beautiful! The leaves are starting to change; monarch butterflies are everywhere, and if you go in the evening, you might even hear owls as you walk through the trees.
Go to the library and spend some time browsing the books. New materials are near the front desk, or you can wander the stacks until you find something that catches your eye. If you like to cook, check the front desk for a Spice of the Month kit. It’s full of seasonal recipes selected from cookbooks, and this month includes a sample of ground cloves.
If you are looking for a great fall read, try “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman, a recent pick for our Salt City Readers book club. On the surface, it’s a perfect autumn story, full of rumors, spells, and a ghost in the garden. But what makes it truly special is the focus on familial love and sisterhood. Like taking a moment out of our busy lives to revive old family traditions, the story shows how bonds between women across generations can carry us through life’s darkest seasons.
Of course, after you gather up your books, you have to stop for reading snacks before heading home! Some of my favorites this season are Little Debbie Pumpkin Delights, Hills Bros. Vanilla Cappuccino, and trail mix and fresh apples from Smith’s Market.
Then settle in for an evening of reading on your own or with your family. Make this a tradition, and before you know it, you’ll have read more books than you thought you could, have a stronger connection with local parks, and, best of all, have a great time with your family!
Katie Broker is the adult programs coordinator at the Hutchinson Public Library. She can be reached at katie.b@hutchpl.org.