Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

At the outset, summer was full of hope and promise. The promise of longer days and warmer temperatures and greener growth. The hope of a slower pace, of coveted heat, of luscious flowers and  relaxing vacations.
The summer months lay stretched before us like a never ending beach towel on the sand.  With a fanciful novel calling our name. As lots of flowers and watermelons took front space at the local food mart, we were ready to savour every summer moment.
Now it’s late august and many of these moments and memories are in the rear view mirror. The whole point of memories is we can live off them for months and years.  Remembering the wonderful warm weather and the bare feet in the grass or sand. The BBQs, the paddleboard voyages, the hikes in the mountains, the flying over the water in a speedboat. Listening to the neighbours lawn mower. Chasing a brilliant sunset. Listening to waves crash against the shore. Laying on a dock or trampoline in the middle of the night watching for shooting stars.  Camping. Listening to the lyrical rhythm of rain on your tent.  Campfires. Berry picking. Road trips.
As summer washes out to sea, We’re starting to sense autumn knocking on our door. People  are buying school supplies.  Sweaters fill the shop window displays. I’m thinking of putting up a few more twinkle lights in and out,  to soften the blow of cooler temps and shorter days. We’re reluctantly loosening our grip on summer.
But autumn…..it’s not so bad. In fact, it’s quite wonderful. A friend just notified me that her apple tree is ready for picking.  My head is dizzy with thoughts of pie making and salsa making and bread making. Walks at the dog park with my cozy quilted vest.  I’m starting to consider breaking out my fall decor. I’ve got a new job at a school so I’m getting caught up in the back to school mentality again. Haven’t done that since my kids graduated over 15 years ago.   I’ve been meaning to take up knitting and I think I will…. Knit myself a cozy sweater. Long and baggy and cuddly…. The kind you can never find to buy.
This season is also filled with hope and promise.  I’m looking forward to cozy nights by the fire and a pantry filled with canned harvest. Sweaters, flannels, vests and boots. Bring it on. Did I mention pumpkin spice lattes?