Image: Pixabay
I’m ready for Autumn.
I’ve been ready since the middle of August but it’s making us wait even longer this year than usual. Global warming they say, Indian summer they suggest. Whatever it is, I’m over it. I’m ready to pack the shorts and tshirts away and hide my feet away til next year, safe and snug in socks.
Summer has dragged, and now quite frankly it’s overstayed its welcome. I mean I do like summer, but it has lots of irritants too – there’s suncream to deal with, and sand and wasps. But there’s also what seems like a constant disappointment in Irish summers. We plan activities presuming that since it’s July there will be sun but then it rains. Autumn is the opposite, instead of disappointing us, Autumn delights. We expect rain and fog, and a damp chill, and every dry day, with or without sunshine we comment on the beautiful day and make the most of the good weather to get out.
On a wet day there’s no shame in pulling the curtains and watching a movie on a Sunday afternoon. Alas, there’s no such luxury in summer, we strive to get out in the great weather, just sitting doing nothing when the sun is shining seems like a waste. But we need to take a break, and Autumn lets us.
My two boys were born in September, I started going out with my husband one October night in the last century and married him some years later in September, with blackberry and apple crumble on the menu. Autumn has been good to us.
Autumn brings “back to school” and new boots (buying new winter boots is undoubtedly my fashion highlight each year) and kicking leaves. There’s homework to do, and blackberries to pick and woods to wander in when the weather permits. Autumn days are short and getting shorter and darker. There’s casserole in the oven, soup in the pot and Hallowe’en costumes are the talk of the playground. Autumn gives us welcome respite between the hectic summer and the busy Christmas season.
Autumn is cosy and calm.
Shove off Summer, let Autumn through, I’m ready and waiting in my new boots.
Pumpkin patch
(Image: Sinead Fox)
