Tag Archives: fall

Suburban sounds near the start of fall

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During the pandemic, some who were at home described the noises they heard from their residences that they may have missed in going to work regularly or being out more.

As summer winds down on the calendar and fall approaches, I noticed some different sounds in the suburbs. I described some of the suburban noises of summer back in 2018. Here are a few of the notable changes heading into a new season:

-Geese flying overhead regularly and standing around in fields and near water. The picture above includes geese honking and milling around in the early morning suburban mist on a soccer field set up for the fall season.

-Fewer lawnmowers at work and less yard work noise. It also has not rained much recently. The spring and summer hum of outdoor machines has lessened.

-The occasional sound of marching band practices and performances. We are more than a mile from a high school but we can hear the band at work (cannot hear cheering).

-No cicadas at this point of the year, particularly compared to earlier this summer in our area.

-Less noise from kids in the neighborhood during the day with school in session. Of course, people living near schools likely hear a lot more noise now during the middle of the day compared to the summer.

This is a particular suburban soundscape soon to change with leaves blowing around and crunching underfoot and later snow dampening outdoor noise.

Liking colorful leaves and flowers but preferring monotonous green lawns

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Plenty of people like the colorful leaves at this time of year in the Midwest and other parts of the country. But, why do they like such colors in leaves or in flowers throughout the year and also prefer lawns that are green only?

The lush green lawn free of weeds and leaves is the ideal. People will even paint their lawn green. Why monotone green? A few possibilities:

-Green signals verdant and healthy.

-If green is the color of spring (for grass, leaves, etc.), then keeping that signal of spring and life as long as possible is a positive.

-The green lawn lobby has been very successful.

-Keeping a lawn green throughout the year is a sign of money and resources.

-A consistently green lawn provides possibilities for contrasts with other colors used for house exteriors and other landscaping. If yards were other colors, the contrast colors change as well.

-Americans likes earth tones less compared to green. They do not want to be reminded of earth but rather the ways humans have changed the earth.

I am sure there is a historical and cultural answer to this question. In the meantime, I will observe both the changing colors of leaves – it all happens relatively quickly – and how these leaves cover green canvasses across suburbia.

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Leaves will soon be coming to suburban lawns – and homeowners will respond in one of a few ways

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After a period of rain and wind in our area, I noticed that leaves are starting to fall from the trees. How will suburbanites respond to this threat or opportunity for their lawns this fall and in the years to come?

The general trend with American lawns is to leave them spotless, free of leaves, weeds, and other obstructions. Will this continue in the future? Some thoughts:

-There is more interest in battery-powered lawn equipment so clearing the lawn with a gas blower and gas mower may be on the wane. Using electric versions of these tools means clearing leaves will be quieter. This could also limit pollution.

-Or, if people do not want to use energy from gas or battery equipment, perhaps raking will be back in vogue.

-An alternative to both options above is that people could let the leaves stay on the lawn. This has benefits for the lawn as leaves break down. This goes against the spotless ideal of the American lawn but it requires no work and has benefits for the environment.

The well-tended lawn ideal with all or most leaves cleared will likely stick around for a while. Yet, there is a chance that shifts in practice and ideology about lawns changes how Americans treat leaves that come down each year.

Quick Review: Fall

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With classes starting today, I thought I would make the argument that Fall (loosely defined here as late August to late November) is the best season of the year. Here are the reasons:

1. School starts. I’ve always enjoyed school. Now as a professor, it feels good to get back into the classroom and see energetic students again. There is always lots to do. The academic calendar has started anew.

2. The weather improves. I’m not a big fan of really hot summer weather and Chicago has been above normal hot this year. I enjoy the cool edge on the breeze. Today’s weather of about 77 degrees with sunny skies was perfect for the first day of school. And I can’t wait for the chillier days when it feels good to sit inside and read but is still pleasant enough outside to not need a heavy coat.

3. The sports world picks up. After a stretch with only baseball on the air, football, basketball, and hockey start. I enjoy watching both the professional and collegiate level and by October, there is quite a variety of action.

4. Special days. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer (and summer break), my birthday rolls around, and I enjoy looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I know others would disagree with me but I’m planning to enjoy the next few months.