Every autumn we are captured by color. But is it only color? There is also form, contemplation of sequence and order in the world which capture us too. Looking from a distance at the edge of a pine tree or more closely at the margin of a leaf, you will notice an undulate (toothed, notched, or wave‑edged). Resin ducts or twigs, the mineral Halite (salt) and Galena (lead ore) are cubes. Needles, twigs, human fingers, are cylinders. Leaf and wood fibers are lattices, and the cells in wood, needles, and blood are spheres or spheroids. If the sun shines just right, the shadow of a tree forms a rough circle or ellipse on the forest floor. When you look at any living thing as a whole, it is a composite of many geometric shapes or patterns — the composite. Are we not also a part of the composite?
So, it seems that nature in time (Autumn) reminds us that there is a sequence or minimally some sense of “order in the world.” And it certainly seems that there is nothing accidental in nature’s design. And we don’t need to know scientific names, economic value, or botanical details to appreciate a tree or the way we feel because of a season. We can appreciate the tree, or Autumn simply because it is beautiful in many ways.
As John Keats wrote:
“Beauty is truth; Truth beauty.
That’s all on earth ye know.
And all ye need to know.”
What captures you about Autumn?
Vice President, Learning Experiences 8 Posts
Robert Corbin is VP, Learning Experiences at Discovery Place. Prior to joining Discovery Place in 2007, Robert spent 15 years in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system, teaching science and serving Science Academic Content Coach and mentor. Robert has developed science curricula for the Weather Channel, Paramount Pictures, the ASPCA, and the Environmental Literacy Council and he wrote curriculum to accompany Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth.
Robert holds an M.A. degree in Natural Science Teaching from the University of South Carolina and a B.S. in Science Education from Michigan State University and recently completed his doctoral degree at UNC-Charlotte.
Comments
Post a CommentFall is my favorite season. There are several reasons and all of them relate to my senses. First of all: Halloween. This is the best Holiday, clearly. While I might not be able to trick-or-treat anymore now I am the one answering the door. I love the visuals. Orange and black look good together. Witches, goblins, mummies, etc walking down the street. Hollowed pumpkins with fire inside to give them life-like appearances. The whole season is appealing to the senses. Autumn is comfortable after a blazing hot North Carolina summer. The sound of the leaves rustling in wind is better than the sound of cicadas never shutting up. Leaves go from being simply green to resembling packs of Skittles hanging from trees. Autumn is when you start smelling fires from your neighbors' fireplaces. Don't forget how delicious pumpkin pie is either.
Jonathan Hayes - September 29, 2009
Autumn is by far my favorite season, I love all of the different colors of the trees. I grew up in Michigan and so the colors were very pronounced, as a child I used to love jumping in the leaves that my dad would rake in our front yard. I also loved going to apple orchards and picking apples, eating donuts, and drinking homemade apple cider. Fall reminds me of my childhood and so whenever the leaves start to change I want to carve pumpkins and drink apple cider. Most importantly I love the weather because it is not too cold yet but it is not very hot either, it is perfect weather for sweatshirts and the smell of autumn is absolutely amazing it is the best time of year.
Amanda Fairchild - October 20, 2009
Autumn is a great time of year! I grew up in Asheville, NC so my favorite aspect of the season is seeing the leaves change to magnificent shades of yellow, orange and red. They are so beautiful and it just goes to show how nature has its ways of making one appreciate what the Earth has to offer. It's nice to take in the natural beauty while listening to the leaves rustle in the wind and smelling the crisp Autumn air and to just let your mind stray from everyday stresses of school, work, relationships and money. What would people do if they didn't have this distraction from time to time? Even when I lived in New York City where trees and nature were scarce, people seemed to be so energetic and upbeat in the Fall, after having dealt with walking everywhere and taking the subway in the 90 degree heat of Summer. Also, like Jonathan stated, Halloween is such a fun time for all ages. My niece and nephews love to get all dressed up and go trick-or-treating. Watching them experience and enjoy these times as children sometimes makes me want to be a child again when life was simple. Autumn also makes me look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. Although, there is one thing that fall makes me dread....Winter is on its way. I hate cold weather!! But that's ok because I know Spring is right around the corner.
Cat Ross - November 09, 2009
Very good info, so add my insight, but I also discuss similar things on my blog.
Beauty - May 24, 2010