I am counting down the hours until tomorrow night. I’ve waited months for the first week of September. Back to school? Nope. Cooler fall temperatures? Ha!—in Florida? You’re kidding, right?
No, tomorrow night is the official start of the NFL season. For those in other parts of the world, it’s professional American football. For serious football fans, it coincides with college football, high school football, even Little League football. These are our modern day gladiators doing battle in giant arenas before thousands of screaming fans.
I’ll confess: I watch it on television. Expanding a three-hour game with drive time and a possible tailgate party in the parking lot (although it looks like a ton of fun), is not my idea of a good time. Remember, we’re still living in tropical heat and humidity here at the beach for another month or two.
But Football Sunday is an event in my family. We’re scattered in different parts of the country, but I know if I call a sibling on a Sunday afternoon, I can get the lo-down on whatever game is being covered in their region. Here at the beach, my oldest brother and I have a standing date to meet at one of the local pubs that has multiple television screens. At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, at least 6 teams kick-off their games. There’s a whole gang of locals—admittedly, I’m one of the few women seated at the bar—and we see each other each week to discuss the match-ups, the scores, the injuries, the glorious plays, the painful mistakes.
To me, football represents the beginning of fall traditions. Gathering with friends to watch football, raking leaves (something I actually miss at the beach), becoming aware of the days growing shorter, the nights cooler. There’s Halloween and Thanksgiving and, yes, Christmas on the horizon. It’s a time of switching out linens, unpacking winter clothes on the shelf of my closet. It’s a time when I start to crave apples and nuts and rosemary-seasoned meat. It’s a time when retirees wear college-logo sweatshirts to cheer on their alma mater. It’s the end of beach season, but a time to celebrate camaraderie with our neighbors.
So whether you cheer for the Vikings, the Saints, the Patriots, the Dolphins, the Raiders, the Broncos, the Bears, the Cowboys, the Bills, the Jets, the Steelers, the Chargers, the Bills, the Rams, the Browns, the Titans, the Seahawks, the Ravens, the Packers, the Giants, the Texans, the Falcons, the Buccaneers, the Eagles, the Redskins, the Cardinals, the Chiefs, the 49ers, or the Jaguars, Panthers, Lions or Bengals (I *think* I named them all!), I wish you a terrific football season. Here’s to Saturdays with your favorite college teams, and Sundays with your favorite pro teams. Whether you’re in a stadium or your living room, while you cheer (and yell) at your team, take a moment to savor the tradition of the sport. And if you find yourself watching the game alone, you can usually find me Sunday afternoons on Twitter: #NFL @amyatwell
Do you have a favorite fall tradition you’re gearing up for? Favorite team you’ll be cheering on? Favorite fall recipe you’d like to share?
All photos from the Microsoft Office site: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/
Football is definitely on at our house in the fall! My husband and son like to watch it and being from Illinois, we are Bears fans. My son’s birthday is in October and that sort of kicks off the fall for us. We always have a wiener roast with family and this year I think he is going to camp out in the backyard with friends for his birthday. I love fall in Illinois. The trees change color, the weather gets cooler (usually) and it just is a nice change from summer. It also means more soups and crock pot meals at my house!
You’ve made me homesick for Chicago! I lived there for 4 years (born in WI, raised in OH). The Great Lakes and Midwest are great for fall. And I love how football in that region starts sultry and sunny, but the season can end with bitter cold and snow. THOSE are fans who sit in stadiums in all weather conditions.
Crock pot meals–yum. I should dig through for my chili recipe…
OMG, I was so jones’n for the college ball. Got my fix this weekend, though (even if my team lost). And they extended college football Saturday through last night, which was good for my addiction if not for my productivity. ;o) That GT vs VT game was pretty exciting.
I can’t believe I wasn’t following you yet on Twitter. Took care of that. I’m @BE_Sanderson, btw.
Followed you back! I noticed on my Sunday morning run that a bunch of houses in our neighborhood had hung college flags on their porches. I assume everyone is proclaiming their alma mater team for the next few months. It was kind of fun knowing that all those households were holding their own game-watching traditions starting this weekend. GT vs VT would have been a great game (I’m a VT alum!)–sorry I missed it. I hesitate to expand my football watching to college. Sheesh, I won’t get anything accomplished between tomorrow and Super Bowl!
We’re in Wisconsin and are Packer fans, of course, but I rarely watch football. My husband’s birthday is in late September. On Friday, we were in a store and he stopped to like a shirt, so I bought it for his birthday present. Yay!
I love all the fall season pies, especially apple and pumpkin. It’s still in the 80s here, but once it cools I’ll probably start craving pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin pie sounds heavenly, although I actually prefer pumpkin cookies and muffins. And not to advertise for Star Bucks (purposefully misspelled to avoid the bots), but their Pumpkin Loaf is awesome. I had a piece about 5 days ago–made a special trip because I was craving it. Yep, it just sort of happens when September appears on my calendar.
Early birthday wishes to your husband, and I’ll cheer for your team this fall!
Football season is my favorite season! Being from Wisconsin, I’m a huge Packers fan. Go to a game every season with my dad who is a season ticket holder. If I miss a game on TV due to traveling for work, or a death in family
, my cousin and hubby text me play by play details.
I love that restaurants will be serving squash and pumpkin soup soon. I tell myself every year I need to learn to make these since they are my favorite soups. If anyone has a super easy recipe (I’m not a cook) please share it.
Love getting out my riding boots and fall sweaters. Driving around Holy Hill and buying apple cider and butter from farmers. Decorating my porch with pumpkins, squash and mums. Love everything about fall, except winter follows.
Happy fall everyone!
Great images, Beth. Soups and apple cider. When I lived in Blacksburg, VA (go Hokies!), we used to buy Winesap apples from the orchards. Best. Apples. Ever. I’ve never had pumpkin soup–now you’ve got me thinking I need to do some googling for recipes! Enjoy!
Same as you, Amy! We are 100% a football family. Even my granddaughter who is two and a half says, “Raiiiiiiiders!” It was one of her first words.
Isn’t it funny what children imprint? But you’re sharing a valuable family tradition with her. One she’ll cherish. Go, Raiders!
No if only the Raiders would do something!
Karin* Tabke aka Harlow!`s last blog was …CAPA Winner!
LOL, Amy!!
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I’m from Wisconsin, so my side of the family (esp. my dad and brother) are hardcore Packers fans. My Illinois husband and son, of course, cheer for the Bears. When the two teams play each other…well, let’s just say, one side always has to call the other to gloat
Enjoy the season!!
LOL, Marilyn. A family rivalry. It’s got to be tough on those rooting for the losing team. My hometown team was the Browns–you can guess how much I’d love to see them have a winning season. Here in FL, my regional cable doesn’t cover the Browns games. I’ve started following the Jaguars. I must be getting serious because I actually recognize a number of the players’ names. I’ve gotta soft spot for the Bears after living 4 years in Chicago. Here’s to a terrific season!
We’re not big football fans (diehard baseball fans, though) but we do root for the Bears.
The best thing about fall for me is driving to Wisconsin for apples. And apple donuts. I can’t wait to make homemade applesauce and apple jelly. A few apple pies too. We love everything apple!