By Abe Villarreal

There is something about autumn that is like no other time of the year. Days are shorter. Skies are darker but yet people seem warmer.

When you think of it, seasonal changes are somewhat magical. They put us in a different mindset. Colors and smells can alter our feelings and bring back favorite memories of the upcoming time of year.

Fall is my favorite time. It's such a great season that it has two names. Autumn, what a nice, warm ring to it. Even more than winter, and where I live there is no real winter, fall is a time for family and togetherness. But why is it so?

Shorter, colder days mean we spend more time indoors. We're closer to each other. Watching movies and sharing meals are a regular thing. Sunsets are painted with wonderful orange hues. But don't miss it, they don't last too long.

Leaves turn from green to a kaleidoscope of yellows and oranges. They come down from trees to mark your path. The plants are letting us know that a new season has arrived. If we pay close attention, the sounds of a light breeze, or the rustling of feathers are like whispers from father time.

Fall is such a wonderful period of year that it has inspired writers, both classic and new, to share their thoughts on this transformative time.

As early as 1609, Shakespeare penned "That time of year thou mayst in me behold, when yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang," in his Sonnet 73. During the eighteenth century, William Blake titled his poem To Autumn and he spoke to the season as if it were a person.

"The narrow bud opens her beauties to The sun, and love runs in her thrilling rain; Blossoms hang round the bows of Morning, and Flourish down the bright check of modest Eve."

How can a season inspire such thoughts? The animals seem to know. Robert Frost, one of my favorite authors, told us so in his piece titled The Oven Bird.

"The bird would cease and be as other birds, But that he knows in singing not to sing. The question that he frames in all but words is what to make of a diminished thing."

In much simpler terms, we love autumn because of the hot chocolate and homemade soups. The smell of morning and feeling of an evening breeze. These things bring with them a different mood that makes you feel always at ease.

And now, probably more than any time in our lives, autumn is a season to cherish with those you love by staying home. We can all do a little more of listening and less doing. More slow walks around the neighborhood, and more of just sitting while not doing anything else.

Fallen leaves and evening sunsets will seem a little more magical. The world, a little more comfortable. Autumn does that to you.