Tuesday, September 22, 2009

It’s Officially Autumn


Well technically autumn is official at 5:31 this evening, or so my weather person said.

Fall, the time of year when the leaves change colors, the temperatures eases off and being outside is a pleasant experience. No longer are you glistening every minute. (Doesn’t that sound so much better than sweating, which is what we do here in Florida no matter what anyone, tells you.)

I should stop here and be honest. We are still sweating…err, I mean glistening. Our temperatures are in the 90’s and it’s hot. Summer hot.

It’s only after the sun has set (around 8:00ish), that we begin to feel a slight breeze that doesn’t replicate an old time furnace, blowing across the front porch. It’s then that Science Guy and I talk about the changing of the leaves.


For me, it was always a family trip to the Smokey Mountains or anywhere up north (so Georgia is up north to me), where the leaves are changing from green to purple, orange, bright red, and brilliant yellow’s. For Science Guy it’s different. It’s more of a longing to see what he grew up seeing every year. You’d think growing up with it would make it not as beautiful, but nope, his family always made time to look at them.

The first year she-who-thought-she-was-born-with-a-tiara, went to college blew her away. In fact, I received this box from her, complete with a note on the outside that I couldn’t open it until we were on the phone with each other. Inside the box was an array of fall leaves. It was such a cool gift. :)

I know I’ve complained about the heat, talked about the beautiful leaves I used to go see growing up, and yeah, complained about the heat, but really I do love autumn. I love to decorate my house (inside and out). It gives me more of feeling of seasons even though ours are not very pronounced.

The fall colors are among my very favorites and truth be known, the weather will eventually cool off. The 90’s will be put to bed until next summer and we’ll beautiful days of high 70’s and nights of high 50’s to low 60’s. Writing outside will be a joy again and creativity flows a wee bit stronger with the changes.

And once again we’ll dream of colors, each more vibrant than the other. Memories complete with
childhood fun and grown up wishes.

What about where you live? Is the weather already making that change from blistering hot to comfortable? Or are you still waiting for the heat to melt away and the soft breeze of autumn to roll in?

Hugs,
Vicki

11 comments:

PatriciaW said...

Moist and glistening walking from parking lot to building this morning. :)

But I remember the early days of many a NY or Midwestern fall. I still love to see the rainbow of fall foliage and feel the crisp in the air. (Wish we had some.) It was a signal that winter was coming, and if we were lucky, some snow (to close schools for us and give us a beautiful wonderland to play in).

Maybe a trip north needs to be on the horizon...

Glue said...

I vividly remember sending you those leaves. Lots of firsts that year at college - first "real" fall season, first time seeing snow, and more. Fun memories. And I think everything I've ever sent you since then has come with the "don't open until we're on the phone together" note. hehe. Oh - I like my blog name, it's a little long though. You could call me Glue so it's easier/faster to type out (since I know you'll be talking about me so often! ;) ) I know it's not nearly as cute, but I'm getting more and more about sentiment these days. Great post. Love you mom!

mslizalou said...

The temps are getting into fall ranges in Middle TN right now. However, we have had rain for 9 days straight and looks like we will have it for at least another 4-5 days. I miss the sun...

Vicki said...

Patricia - A trip up north sounds like heaven to me. :)

Glue - It's true, you've been the glue many many times. :) And yes, you do always tell me to wait, which is hard sometimes.

Liza - I'm hoping the sun comes shinning through at least a litte each day until the rain it over.

I love, love, love TN. Everything about it. :D

JGG said...

Here is PA the evenings have dropped to the 60's - just starting to feel like fall. But - this weekend we're on our way to Key West!! I can't imagine how hot it must be, I'm packing all the wrong stuff, don't think I'll need that jacket or even the socks! I know I'll be sorry - who cares - it's Key West!!

JGG said...

Up north in PA it's starting to feel like Fall, our evenings are in the 60's. But this weekend I'm heading to Key West! I know I'm packing all the wrong stuff, probably don't need the jacket or the socks. Who cares - it's Key West - I'll "glisten" with or without socks!

JGG said...

so sorry I posted twice!! Blogspot said there was an error!

LKap said...

Fall is my favorite time of year - at least it used to be until I moved to FL - now I call it the never ending summer. But when I lived in IL we had a festival that would be going on right now (Spoon River Drive) the leaves were changing and in the dips and valleys you had to drive it was just amazing. Oh how I miss that.

Vicki said...

Judy - the weather sounds fab. And OMG, have a great time in Key West. Even though it will be hot, it won't be quite as bad as the middle of summer. Science Guy and I had a blast the last time we went. You'll have to let us know all about your trip.

Vicki said...

L - I can't imagine living with all the beauty and the cool festivals to not have them anymore. Science Guy is always telling me about the different festivals they had in NY growing up.

Luna said...

The leaves are turning in Upstate NY. It is definitely magical each year and something I look forward to.

It was actually very warm today--maybe even in the 70s. I was happy to wear my flip-flops again.

Oh, I love the story about the gift of leaves and "don't open until we're both on the phone." Too sweet!

Happy Autumn...