Autumn is here in Waikato. The leaves are changing colour, and as you walk through fields, along footpaths, by the roadside, or in the park, you can hear the crunch of fallen leaves under your feet.
Mushrooms pop up among the fallen leaves, but you have to be careful. Some are poisonous, while others are safe to eat.
Raking up the leaves can feel like a chore or something fun. Some people burn them in a bonfire, while others add them to compost to make new soil.
This morning, I went to the Oak Eatery Cafe in Morrinsville to meet with a Neurodiverse Support Group. From the cafe, I watched children playing in the playground nearby while parents, walkers, seniors, and other customers enjoyed the sunshine and walked through the leaves. One young child with mild autism was full of energy, running around, climbing a rope structure shaped like a hut, and walking across the platform bridge. The child’s mother looked tired as she tried to keep up.
A woman named Pamlea, whose real name is not Pamlea, asked me about using sign language to help autistic children and teenagers communicate. She said there was an NZSL class, but found it too hard for nonverbal young people. She was not criticising the class; she was just trying to understand. I suggested she talk to one of the NZSL teachers or teacher aides to see if they understand the needs of neurodiverse children and youth.
Out back, children played in the playground and loved the sound of leaves crunching under their feet and the feel of the leaves. Their faces were full of laughter and smiles. Adults enjoyed drinks like coffee, tea, or milkshakes with their meals and chatted with friends and colleagues.
It was a lovely morning at the Oak Eatery Cafe in Morrinsville. You might want to visit and try their menu while enjoying the area around the new housing estates.
Here is the link for you to look up… https://www.oakeatery.co.nz/
Life in Eureka 