One day is much like another during Houston's long, hot summer—a season that unofficially starts in May and wraps up in October or November. This year, Texas is suffering a drought, so we miss out on rain clouds and monotony-busting afternoon showers. Blue skies, high humidity, and temperatures reaching for a hundred degrees equal same old/same old, and I'd swear I'm an extra in Groundhog Day.Remember the 1993 movie that features Bill Murray as a weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on whether or not a groundhog sees his shadow? In Groundhog Day, the Murray character gets caught in a time loop and must repeat the same day time and again. Eventually, he makes the most of his do-overs and teaches himself French, ice-sculpting, and how to get along with people. When he finds love, he breaks the spell that's been holding him in place.
(Drat! I should have used this endless summer to teach myself another language.) Like the Murray character, I've repeated the same tasks and followed the same routine every day for months. The weather's hot and humid when I wake up and hot and humid when I go to sleep. The sight of my lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing makes me cranky. (Make that crankier.)
On Sunday, the weather broke. Three inches of rain fell on Houston in one glorious day, and the overnight lows dropped, resulting in cooler mornings and the hint that fall will, indeed, make an appearance this year.
Spring claims the season-of-renewal designation for herself, but autumn energizes me--and I'm not alone. The squirrels in the park seemed peppier this morning, and the ranks of walkers, runners, and bicyclists have swelled.
In the weeks to come, trees will shed leaves, but I'll plant flowering bulbs that will draw strength from their chilly resting place underground. Fall is the perfect times to begin projects that require extra germination, like degrees, business plans, and manuscripts.
I can't wait to turn off the ac and fling open windows, bake an apple and cranberry cobbler, and make soup.
What do you look forward to in the fall?
4 comments:
Sadly, I missed the rain but coming back home to cooler temperatures is a huge relief.
After a summer of cotten and linen, every year I look forward to wearing sweaters and BOOTS. Although I'm not at all a fan of northern weather,I love winter clothes and relish the five or six days a year I can bundle up. Still, what I really love is wearing boots--cowboy, biker, knee-high, six-inch tall ankle boots to nearly flat lace-up Tod's. I own more boots than shoes--a bizarre situation in a climate like ours--and delight in picking out the perfect pair each morning. If there's a Boots Anonymous, I'm definitely a candidate for its President!!
Soup is nice,so are turkey and mulled hot cider. But for me, fall isn't here until I put away my sandals for the season and polish up some heartier footwear.
Welcome home, Lark! I believe Boots Anonymous meets Tuesday evenings in the fellowship hall of a church near me. I'd check out the group for you but members sneer at women wearing black ballet flats.
Mulled hot cider sounds great. Have some while polishing your boots for the season.
Hi Pat ... In my part of Canada, any day now can bring snow, which means summer is over and fall is drawing to a close. I've cleaned out the gardens and my outside work is done for the year (except for shovelling snow but that's a get-out-get-in-quickly activity).
For me, the hectic days of spring, summer and fall are over and it feels like life slows down around me. It gives me more time to breathe and more time to spend in front of the computer. Always a lovely thing to do. :)
Hi, Sheila,
You have a positive outlook on life--and on snow. I'll visualize you, safe and warm at your computer, while snowflakes swirl outside. Hey, how was your (Canadian) Thanksgiving?
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