The Inspiration for my Blog Title "The Autumn People"

Ray Bradbury's first book published was titled "Dark Carnival" and came from Sauk City Wisconsin under the title Arkham House.  Dark Carnival has been an obscure title since its publication.  It was a sort of Holy Grail for me until I finally obtained a copy from Guantlet Press which is signed by the author.  The Arkham House editions still fetch a handsome price as well.  Dark Carnival was also re-issued as "The October Country" with some tales removed and other new ones added.  The illustrator of this book was Joseph Mugnaini.  The October Country has seen countless pressings and I have enjoyed it many a time in both reading and listening. One can obtain recordings of some of these tales being done in radio plays under the title "Bradbury 13".  I used to play the story "The Wind" on our stereo with the lights turned out and to this day my daughter Rachel still remembers the creepy sounds that this particular play produced not to mention the haunting theme of the worlds winds being a collective of souls captured in various storms over time thus giving it the voices and howling sounds of lost souls one can imagine on a night alone in a drafty house as a storm rages out beyond.  In the October Country there is a preface and with kind permission I will quote Ray Bradbury.  It reads thus;

  "....that country where it is always turning late in the year.  That country where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist; where noon's go quickly, dusk's and twilight's linger, and mid-nights stay.  That country composed in the main of cellars, sub-cellars, coal-bins, closets, attics, and pantries faced away from the sun.  That country whose people are autumn people, thinking only autumn thoughts.  Whose people passing at night on the empty walks sound like rain....."

   And so that is why I picked the Autumn People for the name of my blog.  And now back to thinking my autumn thoughts while rain comes and goes out beyond in the wooded realm of my valley where the trees stand tall and the shade is seemingly endless.  Pleasant dreams...................