I’m ready for the colorful leaves, the crisp air and some hot cider.
But I sure do miss the long, relaxing days of summer.
Pros and Cons
Category Archives: fall
My Favorite Season
This summer has been filled with friends and books and long days at the cottage. I love these days without rushed schedules and juggling mealtimes. It’s such a treat to be able to make dinner whenever we’re all hungry, without working it around a meeting or practice or game. Summer is a solidifying force in our family, and I aim to keep it that way.
That said, summer isn’t my favorite time of year. It’s not even close. Fall wins, every time.
Every season has its perks, and there are things I enjoy whenever the weather changes. That first, beautiful snowfall, that comes down on a dark night and blankets our world with a soft white blanket; the tiny buds on the trees and the flowers pushing their way up to the warmth and light; the laughter of the boys on the tube behind the boat and long walks along the beach: all of these things, I enjoy.
But fall stands alone as my favorite, year after year. I love the colors of the leaves, the cooler days and much cooler nights, but more than anything, it’s the sense of renewal that calls me. You might think this would happen in January, when the rest of the world is celebrating the start of a new year, or in the summer, when we have more family time than we could even imagine at other times of year. But it doesn’t. For me, the new year begins in the fall.
It’s just around the corner now, and I’ll embrace it when it arrives, but I’m not wishing summer away yet. I’m still looking forward to sunny days at the beach and reading books in the hammock. I’m still enjoying walking to the farmer’s market and making dinner when the need arises. I’m still taking advantage of these slower schedules to create memories with my kids. Every season has its perks, after all.
photo credit: graybeard763
Not That Hardy
Look closely.
No, no, you have to look closer than that. Did you just see a waterfall with what appears to be a huge pumpkin sitting at the top? (It’s some sort of buoy, really.) Look at the far right, near the wall, where the water just starts to come down the second tier? Do you see him? Huge Mr. Salmon, jumping for his life? There were tons of them. The kids loved this – they were entranced and we finally had to pull them away before we all froze to death.
This was the beautiful scene the other way – it’s an old fishing village that dates to the 1850’s. The salmon were swimming through here, headed towards the falls.
And I couldn’t help but wonder how darn cold these people must get in the winter. Brrr! It’s a gorgeous setting, but once again reminds me that I am so glad to have not been a pioneer. I’m hardy, people, but not that hardy.
Happy Monday!