I’m tired. It happens this time every year. The gray dark days settle in, and our friend, Mr. Sunshine, is lost behind a layer of thick heavy fog and looming clouds. And to add to the snooze, November 4th is just around the corner. We all know what that means; the dreaded end of daylight savings time. By three in the afternoon, darkness will fall upon us like a starving dog on a meaty bone. Time to break out the vitamin D – by the truck load.
I saw the sun yesterday, for a half a minute, here and there. It heroicly broke through the fog late in the afternoon, if only to give us hope. Yet it set at 6:00 p.m., leaving us with nothing but fond memories of July 21st, when we celebrated fifteen hours of daylight – the ever so revered longest day of the year. I remember that day. I was wide awake, full of energy, couldn’t quit smiling, swimming, paddle boarding. Didn’t go to bed at 7:30. Didn’t stay in bed all day. Didn’t eat bon-bons.
Yet here we are. Everywhere we look, our vision is filled with bursts of red, gold, orange and rust. We may be “fogged in”, yet the fog is a moisturizing facial softening our skin, comforting our sinuses, and bogging down the airborne travel of viruses. The ground is wet. So very wet. And so very green. Out come the snails and slugs, creeping across the road. Worms seam to surrender to the birds by throwing themselves out of the ground. Nature is on the move, quietly changing, adjusting, preparing.
And with autumn comes mouthwatering comfort foods, such as butternut squash, pumpkin, and caramel apples. And the rain smells musky and ripe in a way that’s just better than how spring or summer rain ever smells.
I wore a knit hat on my morning walk today, with cozy boots and a warm rain jacket, and carried a travel mug of fresh coffee with whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. It was pretty heavenly. And later, when I sat down to write, I did it in front of a crackling fire with my dog curled up by my side.
Yes, It’s sad to see sunlight leave us so early in the day, yet it’s wonderful to welcome the gifts of autumn. I guess I’ll just break out the sunlamp and enjoy the season. After all, we have holiday festivities to look forward to, and best of all, summer is only eight months away!
Later,
Mary Ann
2 responses to “I could be Rip Van Winkle”
I miss the sunshine, however I also relish that we live in an area that has such distinct, beautiful seasons. Love reading your blogs, Mary Ann!
I’d be happy to trade you 2 weeks of hot, sunny weather in Arizona for 2 weeks of downpours on Camano; willing to discuss which 2 weeks are available.