She played the song many times on that Hi Fi record player from the 60’s. And she said it was one of her all-time favorites. I was a young whippersnapper. So, I had no idea that the piano instrumental of a song called “Autumn Leaves” had been a number one hit on the Billboard charts. But that’s what I found out today

Roger Williams’ version of Autumn Leaves went to #1 in 1955.

And the “she” I’m talking about was my step-mom. She had the Roger Williams Greatest Hits vinyl album. I can still see the cover. And I’ve whistled or hummed that song at some point of every year since way back then. It’s ingrained in my brain. Ask Elgielene. She’ll tell you how much she loves my scat version of Roger’s Autumn Leaves. Of course, she might try to act like she doesn’t. But she digs it big time.

Anyway…

My step-mom definitely did NOT fit the stepmother stereotype. I loved her very much. She was my second mom. And I called her Mom. And I like to think my feelings for her were mutual. She certainly made it seem that way when she made my angel food, strawberry shortcake birthday cake for me. But that’s another story.

Mom went to heaven back in 2000 when she was the same age as I am right now. Yikes! Time flies.

So, all this reminiscing is the result of seeing some Autumn leaves on some of the trees around the neighborhood. And we’ve seen quite a few drifting past the windows in the past week. Plus, cooler temperatures fell into place almost on cue for the equinox. That was a great relief. Because just a few days ago it made it to triple digits yet again.

Summer went out like a roaring lion.

OK, since my favorite season is here I’m gonna share a little more reminiscing in a rhyme I’ve shared before. But, just like the pumpkin spice everything that shows up every year at this time, this rhyme fits the time.

The Autumn sky is full of colors
And sometimes drops of rain.
It makes me think of bygone summers
And riding on a train.
The golden sun, like Kansas wheat,
Would bake the fields of corn,
And I bucked endless bales of hay
And all my jeans were torn.
I still remember pools of blue
And going to “the game.”
My bike was candy apple red
And “Flyer” was its name.
So many memories are there
Up in the Autumn sky.
The colors still shine brightly
As I watch the years fly by.

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