It’s fall, it’s fall – my favorite time of all! Time to dig out the flannel sheets, hang them in the sun, and ease them onto the bed, knowing how cozy they will be while I continue to leave my window open for sleep. It’s fall! Some folks call it autumn, but that doesn’t work very well in poetry, so I will stick with fall! We had the first hint a couple weeks ago (actually the very day after Labor Day – some things are still predictable) when the temperature nose-dived from 98 down to 40 overnight! What a delight! It surprised no one, and delighted me. We are starting to see yellow leaves in the street, the flowers have totally given it up for the season, and I can sit and reflect on the past beauty by studying the photos I took during the glory days of summer. It’s always a wonder to me when the seasons change that we really cannot remember previous seasons. Humidity? Heat? Yes, I sort of remember being miserable, and I really got tired of the air conditioning grinding away in the studio, but now I can throw open the doors and windows, glory in the cool breeze and hear the music I’ve chosen to play.
Fall is also a wonderful time to rethink how to spend one’s free time. Gone are the hordes of visitors (God bless them all and please come back next year!) who don’t know how to navigate the highways and surface streets; I can let go of the need to make sure the house is tidy for drop-in guests. In fact, I have noticed that even if I DO clean the bathroom to a dazzling shine, it doesn’t always get used! We are not natural dazzlers.
This summer proved to be the most memorable in such a long time. Great and glorious memories of spending time with our lovely family – eating outside on the “flying bridge” between the house and the studio, watching the dog walkers and strollers stroll past, cooking out on the grill, watching the flowers grow and grow and grow – I picked the tallest varieties this year! Our grand children are a great reminder of why family is so important – they are so amazing and insightful. They remind me constantly how important it is to be observant and they rekindle my natural tendencies as a self-learner as I learn along with them.
I have so much to be thankful for, and each season brings a moment of reflection about that. I am so glad that I moved here, where we have four moments each year to watch the seasons change and remember that we will, too.
Yes! It is fall too in New Mexico–the blistering heat is over–high 60’s low 70’s. The Aspen will be turning glorious yellow soon
the art festivals around here are in full swing and tourists everywhere! Rain all the past week has squelched the drought somewhat
and the trees and plants are happy again…getting the last sip of water and blooming in the rain. New Mexico is the sunflower state
and fields are yellow with wildly growing Chamisa shrubs, purple asters and sunflowers. We just got through a bad scare with a forest fire
too near 2 weeks ago and ended up filling the cars with what we thought we needed to save to evacuate. These Hot Shot firefighters
saved the day again for hundreds of people in the villages around here. I’m gearing up finally to do an exhibit of my sculpture
in Taos in 12 days and then a visit up to Minnesota to see you Marjorie!
Yippee! I just remembered to read my comments – thanks for reading and commenting! I can’t wait to see you!
Drive safely!
xoxoxxo M
Your grandchildren are beautiful! Enjoy fall! Xoxoxo
Thank you! I just remembered to check for comments (doh!) They are so amazing – I am well and truly blessed. I spent 12 hours with Violet yesterday – she is 7 (I remember being 7!) and so awesome. I am marinating in child time before they turn into snotty teens with attitude! She loves to come over and paint and make outfits for dolls. Where does she get it, I wonder? And now that Middle Son is in town, I couldn’t be happier. He takes me out to lunch and on bike rides (when the weather permits) and comes over sometimes just to hug me! He is so much like Cy you would plotz. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away! Thanks God, for keeping it real.
I hope you are well and not in danger of being washed out to sea!
Love, Marjie