FALL

 

          Today is the solstice or the beginning of Fall. I, however, jumped the gun and began my fall last Saturday. When it was time for a shower, the thermostat read 63 degrees and I was cold. So, I turned the heat back on. I usually try to wait until September 30^th, but I’m older now and apparently get cold sooner rather than later.

          Later that same day, I disconnected the air conditioner and rolled it into the back bedroom where it will reside until next spring, probably June, when the outside temperatures may require its use.

          To say these changes sadden me would be an understatement. I’m not ready for colder temps, rain and way shorter days. I realized last week that rather than the sun disappearing later in the evening, it’s now going down before 7:30 pm. And, when I get up at my normal potty time of 4:00 am, it’s dark, dark, dark. I’m just not ready and dread the days when the sun is with us barely eight hours a day.

          On the other hand, as the days pass, beauty will enrich my life as the trees turn colors and drop their leaves. I especially love the popular trees that carpet their surroundings with a beautiful golden yellow. True, my flowers will stop flowering and go dormant, but with a promise to return in the spring.

          Meanwhile, as the days go along, I’m working as hard as possible in my garden. As I think I’ve said before, I’m a fair-weather gardener, so I’m hoping to get a lot of fall preparation done before mid-October. I have to admit I’m happy with the progress I’ve made so far and hope it continues.

          In all the years I’ve lived in this house and gardened, I think that perhaps only once did I finish putting everything to bed in the fall and then worked to resurrect it in the spring so it looked gorgeous until it was time to put it to bed again. Most folks who visit think my garden is beautiful, but I live with it day-to-day, so am completely aware of what needs to be done and what hasn’t been done. Rather than haul them around and point out all the things I see wrong, I merely say, “Thank you.”

          So, here’s to fall, pumpkin spice (which I really don’t care for), colorful leaves, shorter days and longer nights, more sunny days before the rain sets in, and joy in being alive to experience all this brisk, vibrant season has to offer.