How about that taste of fall weather last weekend?
Everybody was talking about how great the cold weather made them feel. They were all ready to tackle all kinds of projects since they no longer had to “sweat to death.” Folks were all smiling happily and proclaiming that the fall is their favorite season.
Friday I was in a meeting. Well, actually I was outside in a meeting when I noticed that the breeze was quite brisk. It was actually about 60 degrees. I realize that in January 60 degrees would feel quite warm, but in September it was a tad cold. Fortunately it was a short meeting.
Saturday morning I wore a brand new sweatshirt that I bought at the winter clearance sales last February. It felt pretty good. In the afternoon I sat on the front porch for a little bit, but I got cold until I realized I had to turn off the porch fan.
Getting dressed for Mass Saturday evening presented a problem. I bought a new outfit at the fall pre-season sales, but I bought a short sleeved lightweight jacket to wear with it. It was definitely too chilly to wear that.
It took a while to locate the long-sleeved suits because they were buried behind the summer clothes I’ve been wearing. I made a mental note to locate the short-sleeved fall suits I should be able to wear after the cold snap passes.
Sunday I was back into the sweatshirt, checking the weather reports to determine how soon I’d be able to wear short sleeves again. Then it looked like it would be warm starting Monday and continuing through the week.
So, as everybody else was rejoicing in the nice cool weather I found myself longing for the 80s in degrees even as I wondered, “What has happened to me?”
For most of my life autumn was my favorite season. I loved the cool weather, the bright colors, and the energy boost that autumn always brought. I even loved school. Winter was cold, but fun. Spring seemed rather wishy-washy to me. Summer was freedom, but fall was fantastic.
Now my first taste of fall felt cold. I still love the fall colors, but I felt no great energy boost, nor any great desire to start bunches of new projects. In fact, I still need to finish up some old ones.
First I should probably clean out my closet. I’m sure there are clothes in there I’ll never wear again. But I need the early fall clothes now.
When I brought my new outfit home my son reminded me, “Mom, you know when you get something new you should get rid of something old.”
“Yes, I know,” I quickly replied. “I have my eye on a couple of shirts in your room.” He hasn’t said any more about getting rid of anything.
But before I do anything to my closet I really need to clean out Bill’s closet. He died over a year ago, and I’m sure that there are people who could use his clothes. Now I know who they are, so it is time to do that job. Maybe tomorrow.
I suppose I could reorganize my closet so I could at least find my fall clothes. Or I could just dig them out one by one and pile them on top again. That worked last year. And the warmer fall clothes are probably on top of the early fall ones, so I could find those at the same time. Yes, this has possibilities. Maybe autumn is still my favorite season.
I know what’s missing. Jonathan apples! It’s never really fall until I sink my teeth into that first Jonathan apple. It is definitely time to go shopping for my favorite fruit. Once I have those apples I’m sure to have that great energy burst. Then I’ll get all those closets cleaned out and be ready to tackle all kinds of new projects. Why I might even need to go shopping for some new clothes.
Yessir! Viva fall!
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This column was first published in the Daily Advocate Sept. 19, 2007.
