(Red Heart, image by Katarina)
“But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees.”
~C.S. Lewis
I arrived at work Thursday morning at 8 a.m., ready to face a fresh new day. This was an odd day compared to all those of the last two weeks in that I did not leave the building for any reason. No off-site meetings, no visiting of the many satellite locations that exist under my supervision. No stepping out to get a breath of fresh….humid…air.
I walked out of the building at around 4:45 p.m. and something very odd happened….
I suddenly did not know what month it was.
Well, that is not exactly true. I knew it was July, one of my least favorite months in my least favorite seasons of the year. I knew it in my head any way, but my senses and my heart were telling me that it was another season entirely.
If you are fortunate enough to live anywhere in the United States where the cooling pattern coming down from Canada has touched, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Autumn has come early! Or Spring has stayed late.
I drove home with my windows open and no air conditioning on…in the middle of freaking July!!!
This morning I awoke to 50 degree temperatures and an autumnal smell in the air that even now is drawing me towards R.I.P. reads and making me long for the start of September’s challenge. It is an amazing thing to have been given the gift of this brief respite from summer heat and humidity. It fills my heart with joy and makes me wish I could have you all over to sit around the fire tonight, sipping warm apple cider and hot cocoa and listening to the ghostly tales of October as he sits in his chair!
I hope this lovely Friday morning finds you all doing well. We are fantastic around here. Mary has fully recovered and is heading back to work on Monday morning. Today marks the day we had our first triumph in our personal war to destroy our debt: we paid off our first credit card. 5 more to go! And it is very nearly the weekend. Life is a wonderful thing and the spring/autumn scent in the air reminds me so clearly of that and nearly helps me forget the turmoil in the world, at least for a moment.
Have a terrific weekend everyone!
Well the smile that was already adorning my face this morning just got a bit wider! I’ve missed you, but am really so very happy that this summer is treating you well. 😀
Thanks for putting in to words what I felt this morning.
The weather is extraordinary today. My office is usually much too warm (unlike Mary’s, which is usually to cool), so today I was able to open the window and cool things down. I have high hopes that the humidity will also stay low and I’ll be able to cool the house without AC as well.
Congratulations on that first card, too. That’s a great accomplishment and so very satisfying.
I’m all the way down in Tennessee and everyone is talking about how it’s supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow. I love it.
I think i am about to blindfold you and stand you against the wall for shooting Carl! I began to miss spring and fall before I even had to make this move.. rub it in why don’t you?
We’re in the same boat here, but I’m afraid my reaction has been much less positive. I want it to be hot again! Sigh.
I hear you about craving R.I.P-style reads, though. Yesterday I seriously considered pulling out my mammoth anthology of ghost stories and reading a couple.
Memory: I know there are a lot of freaks out there like you… 😉 Ha! I say ‘freaks’ in the most loving and kidding matter. I cannot fathom why people like hot summer weather, but there are millions who do and I’m sure I’m the freak. I’d rather have spring and fall, with some winter mixed in, and NO SUMMER! Since childhood passed it has lost all appeal. Perhaps someday I’ll have a pool and my passion for summer will return!
Its interesting that you mention ghost stories because yesterday I was thinking about how much I wanted to read a couple of Lovecraft stories, and that was before the temps dropped.
Deslily: No…call off the firing squad!!! Florida weather would not be my cup of tea either, so I understand.
Sam: That is great! Enjoy it!!!
Mosker: I was thinking the same thing about the AC this morning. I am hoping that tonight we can cut the air, open the windows, turn on the attic fan and enjoy the cool air. My office is one that is always cold in the summer time as the air works VERY well there, but I don’t complain because I’d rather be cold than hot AND I can open the window to regulate temps if need be. Sometimes it is too hot in the winter and that open window helps me cool it down some.
Jason: Glad to do it, it was nice to sit outside having breakfast this morning thinking ‘I’ve just got to post about this lovely weather’.
Debi: I’m smiling because you’re smiling. I’ve been missing your clan as well.
It’s an especially warm summer for the most part here in Seattle but I must have gotten the autumn vibe from somewhere because I went through my books yesterday and pulled out all of my October reads and started a stack. 😉
Good to hear that Mary is doing well and that you are still on the path to becoming debt free!
I swear, half the time I wake up believing it’s still March. 2009 has been such an odd year so far. I blame moving and then hurting my wrist and falling behind on school and work and struggling to catch up…the last 3-4 months have been a blur!
I’m glad Mary had fully recovered and that your summer has been a good one so far, Carl! I look forward to RIP and to seeing you around more 😀
what a lovely post, and a beautiful picture. Thank you. It’s so good to hear that things are going well with you. I’m also very, very impressed by your debt reduction mission. That must feel great. xoxo
Honey, I already have the windows open! It feels great in here. I am loving this weather.
That picture is gorgeous!! We’re supposed to get in on this good weather this afternoon after the rain ends. I’m seriously excited!! I need a day of Autumn…I can’t take the summer any more and it’s just starting 🙁 I’m thrilled to hear that Mary is back up to par and that things seem to be going well for everyone Carl!
Hey, you are insulting my birth-month. How can you not like July? The heat naturally is themain culrpit, but I think Mother Nature is picking speed and is as lush as it gets in some regions depending on the weather. It has the nicest zodiac signb attached to it and just whispers of passion and vacation…
Anyways awesome picture and thanks for the well-wishes.
Harry: Sorry! No insults meant. 😉 And Happy Birthday-Month!
Chris: It is, isn’t it. Not sure if she manipulated it at all, but either way I love it. Thanks! We’re glad to be getting back to normal.
Mary: It is so great to have the windows open in July! Unbelievable!!!
Lily: Thanks, it does feel quite awesome! We are hoping to be able to kill credit card number two next month. It is wonderful to be creeping out of this shadow of debt.
Nymeth: It has been an odd year and you’ve have more than your share of tough stuff to work through. I’m sorry. I hope the rest of the year more than makes up for the first part!
Kristen M: That is great! I haven’t gone so far as to start making my pile yet, but those books have been on my mind. One of my workers was in Seattle this week for a training.
Love the picture of Autumn 🙂
My hubby and I are about to fly off for two weeks to the very south of Australia – deep midwinter weather and hopefully snow. As we live in the tropical parts of Australia will be a very welcome change for us 🙂
I have two books already reserved for RIP – one I have had for almost a year 🙂
Autumn, hot apple cider, RIP Challenge … can’t wait! It is very definitely July where I live. I’m more of a cool weather type of gal myself. Nice picture.
I wish it felt like autumn over here! It’s almost 90 and I’m counting down until fall. So glad you’re taking advantage of the weather. Cool weather always remind me of R.I.P. and hot stew. I’m glad Mary is doing okay. Have a great weekend.
We have been having a cool summer in the North East too and I don’t mind a bit (I’m much more of a cool weather person myself).
So glad to hear the you have paid off one of your credit cards – freeing, isn’t it!?
I was wearing a hoodie on the 4th of July! Unheard of around these parts. BTW…I’ve moved, so if you still want to send that package, email me for the address, please. I tried to email you just now but it bounced back. Or maybe you have me on ignore 😉
It is wonderful to be able to drive without air conditioning; even better to be able to open all the windows in the house to let in the fresh breeze (I am not a ‘factory air’ person). But the best part of this post by far is Mary’s total recovery. Yippee! A very happy weekend (what’s left of it) to you both.
I’m glad to hear Mary’s made a full recovery! And congratulations on that credit card!
I hope you’ve both had a wonderful weekend. ^-^
What a lovely picture of fall…..and seeing as I AM from Canada, where here in the east – Ottawa – we have had one day at 30c. (about 85 f. Usually by now we have had close to 13!!! Where is summer? I don’t like the humidity, but I need the heat to get through our long cold winters…..and it doesn’t look much better the next two weeks – a little warmer, but not July dog days!! *sniff*
I’m glad, so very glad, Mary is fully recovered, and it’s wonderful news that your debt plan is working. Congrats, Carl and Mary!!!
So if it going to be cool out, I guess it is time for ghost stories – I’ve been looking at Stephen King lately……
I’m a little late on commenting. Lovely picture, fall is my favorite time of year. I live up on Lake Superior and we really haven’t had much summmer yet. The other day the high was only 57. I don’t mind it being cool if there is sunshine but lately it’s been mostly gray. Today was much better though, hello sunshine!
sally906: How awesome! I would love (once it gets hot again) to be able to jet off somewhere where it was winter with snow. I hope for your sakes there is some and that you both really enjoy yourselves.
Terri B.: I’m all for the cool weather!
Vasilly: Oh, hot stew….mmmmmm! Thanks.
Stephanie: Wonderfully freeing!
Janet: That is weird…unless you were using my old email address. I thought I sent you the new one in a bulk mail. I’ll shoot you an email in a bit!
ds: A happy week to you! I too much prefer when it is cool enough to have the windows open. I do love the AC when it is hot, but I prefer the smell of fresh air.
Shanra: Thank you so much. I hope your week ahead is wonderful as well.
Susan: I’d probably feel differently about summer if I was in your shoes and had long cold winters to contend with. I hope it gets warm soon for you but somehow stays magically cool here! Ha!
Lynn: 57 for a high! That would be heavenly to me!
Carl! Fall! Please… summer just got here. I think if you had three feet of snow to shovel, you wouldn’t be sweeping the 80’s out the door. Well, I am happy you are happy, anyway. Good to hear Mary has recuperated, too. Hope the weekend was great!
Qugrainne: I’m not so sure about that. If I had 3 feet of snow I’d be buying a nice snow blower to make the job much easier. And honestly, it would be a toss up…maybe even leaning closer to the snow. I’d much rather be cold and be all toasty inside than be hot and sweaty in heat and humidity. There is just not anything fun about that for me anymore. I prefer Fall and then Spring, but Winter is far better in my mind that is summer. I’m weird, I know.
That’s a fantastic picture! I love it!
I am looking forward to the fall, too. I hate the summer. I actually normally read less in the summer and everything, so I look forward to the cooler weather… even if it means snow… It doesn’t really help that it has rained most of July!
I love summers with my kids. I love being at the pool. James and I usually take the kids one evening a week. It’s soooooo relaxing. I am not looking forward to summer ending and school starting. I am, however, looking forward to getting my house back in order. That will take weeks!
I like winter up until Christmas. It totally stinks after that. I need warm sunshine and COLOR. I HATE the dull grey winter days. The only time winter is pretty is when we get a fresh snow. I think the lack of color and blue skies and sunshine really causes me to struggle. Now that the kids are older it’s not as bad. I used to get terrible cabin fever with all the little ones.
Thanks for stopping by the swim meet and taking Anjelia. She said she had A LOT of fun with the “little people”.
I’m glad you are enjoying these mild summer days.
Jules: It was our pleasure. She was hilarious to listen to as she played.
If I was swimming I would enjoy that part of summer and there are certainly things I love, like fresh fruit and veggies…but I just hate the heat. If summer highs stayed in the 80’s it would be wonderful. 90’s upwards just suck.
I’m one of those weird people who actually finds beauty in the grays of winter. I like seeing the shapes of trees stripped of their leaves, etc. I love the colors of spring and of autumn, but summer always reminds me of burnt grass. We’ve been really blessed with rain this year and so this summer has stayed uncommonly green much longer than is usual. I hope it keeps it up!
Kailana: My reading usually drops off in the summer as well. I’m not entirely sure why. When I was a kid summer was all about reading and playing. Now I don’t seem to do much of either in the summer! Time to take back some control over my time! 🙂
I love all the seasons. Winter just makes me appreciate the others more. It’s just not my favorite. I don’t like the 90’s either but I am fortunate, we just head to the pool! It feels heavenly when it’s hot. Summer feels similar to when I was a kid because I get to spend it with my kids. I can’t imagine working during their summers. I am very thankful that I’m at home with them during this time.
Jules: The one and only thing I miss about apartment living is the swimming pool. In the condo we lived at in Tulsa there were mostly older people who didn’t use the private pool and it was kept up really nice. It was such a great place to go relax when it was hot. I lived close enough to work that sometimes I would take a long lunch in the summer and go home and get in the pool for half an hour. I miss that. But only that. Home living, whether renting or buying, is the life for me. No shared walls = Heaven!