All in the Fall

Husband has been working hard in the yard planting Iris, Day Lily, Daffodil and Hyacinth bulbs for spring. 

Of course, the planting was the easy part. First, we had to have more dirt hauled in. Then rich dirt mixed in with the good old red Georgia clay that won't grow squat. After that, holes dug. The easy part has been the actual planting of the bulbs.

Frankly, I'm exhausted by all the supervision.

Fall is finally in the air. our dogwoods are beginning to turn. I was afraid all the leaves were going to just fall off. Now if we can get a few days of good, steady rain, the leaves will be wonderfully colored.

I changed sheets on the bed yesterday, and this time Husband wanted flannel put on. He's in the mood for some cold weather.

The Apple Festival is in town, so we hear. We have enough sense not to find out for ourselves. I just hope there's parking for church tomorrow.

Dawgs lost. And from what my exploding Facebook page says, they handed the other team the win.

Husband listened to the game while  he planted bulbs. I hope they don't grow straight down and sideways because  he got excited and/or disgusted.

Did you see where Denver went from 83 degrees to 19 degrees in 24 hours and got a foot of snow? Mother Nature is really wacky. I want cooler weather, and you know I want snow soon, but not in a fast forward motion. Those folks must have been freezing to death! We need a smooth transition for some snow. Say, in six weeks. Yeah. 

Speaking of snow, it's almost as delicate to discuss with people as politics. Some hate snow, some love it. One has to be careful about enthusiasm or one will get conked on the head. 

One of my friends says I have a "snow affliction". I guess I do. 

Better than some afflictions, I reckon.

Thanks for reading!  

When it is Hard to Let Go

Husband says he thinks I'm from a different planet. Not the  male/female thing, just that I'm, well, weird.

One of the things I am weird about is the dread I feel when I think about seasons changing.

Right now I am overly fond of the well worn quilt that graces my bed. It is dark in its colors, deep ruby and navy. It serves us well all winter, looking warm and cozy and ready to keep you snug throughout the cold night. Oh! And how it feels when I slip beneath it to be wrapped in the flannel sheets underneath the quilt. Between the two is a comforter that my grandmother crocheted out of heavy wool.

I love having a fire in the fireplace, or at least the idea that I can have one anytime I want to.

I love the throws I have throughout the house, ready for use.

I want just one more snow.

Then a day like today comes along. Stepping outside I was overcome with joy. Birds calling to one another, blooms bursting forth as though they couldn't stand it one more minute. I can actually feel the heat of the sun.

And my mind turns to getting out the summer comforter, its pale and flowered presence awaiting. I think of opening windows to let a warm breeze in before it gets too hot. I think of turning on ceiling fans, and visiting greenhouses for plants - flowers and food alike.

I love watching my porches turn from dull and barren to full of color - pots of flowers and plants, cushions in the wicker, and birds nesting behind things on the shelf.

Spring will turn into summer and the windows will close, the air conditioning turned on, and when dog days show up, I ain't so misty about them. I just praise the good Lord for the cool air he allows in my home and cars.

Do I hear an amen?

It's the only time of year I truly dislike the weather in Georgia.

But that's just for a few months. You  open your door one morning to see a sudden pink in the dogwood leaves, that first hint of fall. I feel anticipation returning, anxious for the splendid job God does every autumn.

I may dread the change, but once it occurs I embrace it: whether it's to shed winter, say good-bye to spring, or say hello to fall.

Maybe I'm  not so weird after all.

It's Already Happening

Yesterday morning Husband and I went walking along the river. I felt a stiff breeze waft through my wet corkscrew (although still beautiful and blonde) hair and thought to myself, "That feels like the fall of the year."

I looked up, and lo and behold, five or six leaves came floating down.

This morning, when I was in the shower, I looked out the transom window (on the second floor) and at the very tippy top of the oak tree what did I see? That's right, red leaves.

So, I guess fall is on its way. You could certainly feel it in the air this morning.

Our summer has been not very hot, but very, very wet. All the 'old timers' used to say if it rained the first day of Dog Days it would rain every day until Dog Days was over. 

That's certainly been true this year. It had not rained all day  yesterday. As I was coming to bed, Husband raised his  head and said, "I think it just started raining." 

And it had. It rained for just a few minutes, as if to say, "There, I've rained today."

Then it stopped.

I've seen no rain today, but I will be more surprised if it doesn't than if it does.

I ain't complaining, mind you. 

I HATE hot weather. July to mid-August is the only time of year I don't like Georgia weather. 

And this year?

No hate from me.

I  hear people asking, "Does this mean we are going to have a bad winter?"

Beats me. 

But you know what I always say, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Runs far, far away.