I've stated before that the month of August is like one long Sunday. The closer we get to Labor Day the more this holds true. I feel like each day is an hour and the light and air are already changing. The arrival of Hurricane Irene on the East Coast this weekend has ushered in cooler winds and I can't help but think of bright blue September skies and the golden light of fall. The end of a season always feels like something ominous is lurking just around the next corner. The skeptical New Englander in me comes forward and doesn't like what might be new and different just around the bend. The unexpected new elements of a season (*shakes fist at climate change*) do not put me at ease. I get comfortable in the present season and my fight to keep winter and its colder temperatures at arms … [Read more...]
Top Five Reasons to Get Excited About Fall
Cross-posted and archived from DC Metro Moms. Original post August 22, 2008. My husband asked for hot tea the other day. My first reaction was to look at him like he was the 5th horseman of the Apocalypse but instead, I just sort of sniffed the air and agreed. It felt like hot tea time. Yet, here we are in August. Two days later a friend of mine stated that it was time to wear jeans. She was declaring summer officially over despite it being about 90 degrees outside. My inbox is loaded with back-to-school ads, requests for advice posts about the new school year and the latest fall fashions. There was even that one ominous Halloween craft story request. Already? It's not that I hate summer. In fact, it is my favorite season of the four. It's just that about this time every year be … [Read more...]
Tired Tank Needs to Retire
It's Fall. Time for pumpkins, brightly colored gourds, bales of hay and hot mugs of cider. Make that cold cider because it is just too hot! Temperatures are supposed to reach 90 today and while I would love to be breaking out a nice sweater and boots I'll be wearing capri's and a tank again. This severely extended Indian Summer has me agitated for a variety of reasons.First, it throws me off balance. I miss the smell of the fallen leaves, the damp air and the fall rain. I can see the Occoquan river from my deck and it is incredibly low. It breaks my heart. This is not normal and it is distressing. Our water supply is in jeopardy. We need rain. We need cooler weather. Second and way more trivial, is that my anniversary is in the fall. My husband gave me a nice shopping spree as my gift. A … [Read more...]
Finally!
It is Fall! Finally! I feel like strains of Etta James's 'At Last' should be playing in the background. The wind is up, the air cool and crisp, and the red crayon marks on the windows now feel adequately festive and in season. The dog is giving me the stink eye for letting her outside without informing her first of the temperature change.It's Fall! My favorite time of year. To be a cliche of a blogger I will now wax poetic or something akin to that about the wonders and beauty of Fall. Always with a capital 'F' in my book.The light changes this time of year. There is a golden quality about it that happens around three o'clock. What E and I used to refer to as "K-mart lighting" as it feels like you got in on special. It's not as powerful as summer sunlight. My run feels more relaxing … [Read more...]