Monday, September 21, 2009

Waiting on Fall

Here it is, the first official day of fall and what's that I see outside? Sun. Yes sun, glorious, life giving, warm and full of vitamin D sun which, on any day between the months of June and August, is welcomed with loving, open and grateful arms by myself and others like me (I know there are at least a few of you out there). But today...today when I want to toast pumpkin seeds in the oven, gather fallen apples from the neighbor's tree (shhhh, I don't think they know how many of their apples fall on our side of the fence) and make a pie or a big batch of applesauce, sip something warm and light the gas fireplace, I am not loving the appearance of the sun.

Yes, I am a true Pacific Northwesterner. Tried and true, through and through.

Fall is my favorite time of year.

I've written many a love letter to this season but reading them now, in the bright, warm sun just seems...wrong. Usually I have pumpkins decorating my home, garlands of fall-colored leaves draping my fireplace, an apple candle burning. I usually have homemade soup prepared at least twice a week and have failed at raising at least one batch of rolls to go with it. Normally, during this time of year, I experience a burst of energy much like others do in the springtime...

I'm still waiting for that.

[Hello? Energy? Where are you?]

Fall is magic for me. I love everything about it. I love the colors, the scents, the way the shadows become long and lovely and more mysterious. I love the unpredictable weather, the storms, the wind. I even love a little bit of the rain. I love the change. I love the way it isn't cold enough for a coat but just cold enough for a sweater and maybe a cool scarf. I love the way everything feels in the fall. The air, the light, the sounds - they all take on special meaning for me in the fall.

I can't imagine living without fall. A perpetual summer or winter would do me in, for sure. For it is the changing, the renewal, the hibernation of all things to a place of rest, a place of calm, a place of rebirth that keeps my internal clock ticking. Keeps me energized. Keeps me going.

For fall, you are and always will be, my compass. My light. My birth (even though technically I'm a spring babe).

Fall...I'm waiting.

9 comments:

Carrie said...

Our weather is so totally random lately, isn't it! 65 Saturday? 83 tomorrow? I have no idea what clothes to put on my kids, ever!

Ashley said...

Ooooh its my favorite too! I'm still waiting here as well. We don't get our true fall until well into the middle or end of October and then it lasts until nearly January. Our Christmas is always very mild. Now watch it prove me wrong this year and be freezing.

flutter said...

Oh girl, me too.

Tracie said...

I thought it was going to be here (KY) this week. But it's 80 degrees and humid today. Still waiting....,

your cousin said...

I'm a fall babe who feels this way about spring. It's full of vibrance and optimism and I already can't wait for it to be here again.

We balance one another out... I like that.

xoxo

Kyla said...

We got a cool front today! Like the air systems were following my Twitter stream and heard me griping about the projected 103 heat.

Anonymous said...

Winter. It's all about the sun. The first day of Winter, the days grow longer.

All downhill at the Summer Solstice. Not that anyone else notices.

But back before Daylight Savings....


Still, Fall has its moments. Esp. the crispness & clarity of the air.


xxxooomom

ditzymoi said...

I know me too! Over here in PA its like 78 out and SUNNY! WTH ?

I was given a Superior Scribbler award and you my old blog buddy deserve one too ...so I passed it along :) Details over at my place

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...

here in ohio it was hot and muggy as i watched the leaves drip from the trees - but i know all too soon the snow and the freezing wind will be here so i'll take it