Autumn

"Autumn Leaves" by John Everett Millais, from Wikipedia.

To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core

~John Keats


Yesterday we finally turned off the air conditioning and slept with the windows open. We get to take a break from the recycled air until November or December, when we have to turn the heat on. There's something so refreshing about lying in bed with crisp breezes moving through the house. Poets often write about Autumn as a time of melancholy, but I think it's invigorating. It's a time of transition, of cool air and earlier dark nights after months of thick heat and bright light. The mosquitoes leave and nights on the porch (with a bottle of wine or cup of tea) become vital to ending a long day. Everywhere, we're embraced by every shade of yellow, orange, red and purple. (Can you tell that I'm excited about the season?) The feeling of transition kind of gets into my bones and makes me feel the overwhelming need to do something, whether it's a crafy project, or just hopping in the car and going to the mountains for the weekend.

I love the transitional seasons. I love its flurry of change and newness before winter settles around us.

Happy First Day of Autumn!