I love fall, in my heart, it is
my favorite season.
There's just this little problem living in
California (or most of the West) we really
don't have a Fall- per se.
Cool blustery afternoons, sweaters, not quite.
What we have here is Indian Summer-
the sun is low and hot.
I've known real Summer would eventually end-
over the last six months-
I've toiled in and watched
our garden grow, evolve and share
more gifts than I really thought possible.
The garden has been my
home away from home and I have been
very aware of shorter/longer/shorter days
temperature spans and so many of the challenges
which are companion to nature.
Due to a rather cool summer,
there have been signs that
'change' was at hand-albeit, a bit early.
A few weeks ago we started noticing
the leaves on the trees around town
had a red tinge to them and our vegetable beds
and side yard (which are adjacent to our neighbors
five oak trees) were covered like a carpet
with leaves. Even still, I kept thinking,
'wait. no, fall...really?'
I used to be so excited that 'Fall' was coming-
only to be disappointed by triple digit temps.
I never really embraced Indian Summer-
"too hot" for those layers of clothes
waiting to be worn..
But this year I will embrace
it all, my neighbors leaves, warm days at the beach,
transitional menus,
the last of the tomatoes, peppers
and cucumbers, I will relish the colorful zinnias
I grew from seed and continue to
bring in the 'harvest' hued
flowers I planned just for now.
I will not fly a flag heralding autumn leaves
but I will enjoy the sound they make on a
crisp morning walk.
xo
