“To analyze the charm of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which is far better to enjoy than to attempt to understand.”

— Henry T. Tuckerman Summer gently gives way to fall, reminding us to unwrap the special moments of everyday life. Savor the beauty of October’s luster. Under a pure blue sky the air is cool and crisp and the trees will soon be dressed in brilliant hues of flame – crimson and gold. Change in the natural world is surrounding us.

The changing of the seasons in our special state of Maine keeps us alert, interested and looking forward.

As I was roaming around the neighborhood recently, I noticed many spry, furry squirrels scampering about, gathering and storing acorns and horse chestnuts. They were hustling up and down the trees and flying like acrobats from branch to branch. I had never seen so many squirrels all at once. I knew the scene was a sign of autumn. Is that some kind of omen about the winter of 2015?

These are the days when it is a special delight to go out around the neighborhood. Soon the air will be wild with brazen leaves. Autumn took me by the hand as I walked around the corner to see my neighbors’ beautiful gardens. One yard always has the most gorgeous landscape.

That day, among the gardens near the street, there were a few tall red and some yellow dahlias still blossoming. The rich red blossoms had not been touched by nature’s grief. They were breathtakingly beautiful.

I walked over to analyze the bright, healthy, intricate, big blossoms. I thought, “How can this be?” I stood there and admired the radiant splendor knowing that they had survived one frost. And then oops, my fingers snapped the stem and in my hand was one of the yellow, smiling flowers. Well, I had to take it home and enjoy it. I did call my neighbor later to confess.

Don’t trade today for tomorrow. It seems I am always preparing for tomorrow and tomorrow may not be granted. Cultivate the habit of being. The habit of being is a grateful appreciation of what surrounds us. Our time is today.

As beautiful as fall is, it also marks the start of cold and flu season. For non-emergency health care, such as treating colds and the flu, Southern Maine Health Care operates walkin clinics in Saco, Waterboro and Kennebunk. All are open to everyone, with no appointment necessary, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

Because blood is needed in every season, those who are able to donate should consider doing so this fall. According to the American Red Cross, somebody in the United States needs blood every two seconds.

The Red Cross is holding a blood drive at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, at 186 Bradley St. (Route 5) in Saco, on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS to make an appointment. For more information, call the Red Cross or visit redcrossblood.org.

In the fall, folks also look forward to the Fryeburg Fair.

The Saco Parks and Recreation Department offers a senior special bus trip to the fair on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The bus will leave the Saco Community Center, at 75 Franklin St., at 7:30 a.m., leave the fair at 3 p.m. and return to Saco at about 4:30 p.m. The trip fee is $2 for members and $5 for non-members. Additionally, admission to the fair is $10 or free for anyone 65 and older. Fourteen spots are available for this special trip. Call the department at 283- 3139 for more information.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.

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