Here in Southern California we have been in the middle of a quite a few 100 degree days. May I remind you it is already the middle of October. Now I realize that in one sense we are lucky to be basking in the glow of the sun. But on the other hand it would be so nice just to have a bit of a breather from the heat, and get some cooler weather going here.
I have lived in Southern California for over 30 years, but I grew up in Northern Illinois. So I have experienced the change of seasons, the dreaded winter blues, and the wonder of spring bringing everything back to life. But today as I sit here sipping my iced tea, while the thermometer reads 97 I am a little jealous of all of you who are able to bask in the colors of fall. Seeing the leaves change on the trees and the transformation from yellows to oranges to reds is a wonder of nature that will never cease to amaze me. In order for me to see a real change of seasons I have to take a “Leafer Trip” with my favorite Travel Man. You know, we travel to where the leaves are changing just to take in the sights and colors all around us. We have done a trip like this a couple of times, and have had good success seeing the trees and leaves in their full color glory.
Fall for most of the country also brings the chill in the air, the brisk and cool mornings, and the dusting off of the crock pots to make that first batch of soup. I definitely have an aversion to eating any soup while the temps are hovering in the 90’s. It has to be just a bit cooler for me to enjoy a bowl of soup. Here in California-ville we have to wait until closer to November to experience all things fall. This is ok, but by that time you are staring at the calendar looking at how close it is to Thanksgiving and then Christmas. So we do have a “fall” season in my opinion, it is just so much shorter.
In the good old days, fall would be signified by the kids heading back to school, much shorter days, probably some sort of sports for the winter season and the dreaded Santa Ana winds. These are the winds that kickup over the mountains, and bring lots of heat a dust, a very southwestern event. These days we don’t have anyone left in school or sports, but my ode to fall is my ash tree in the backyard. The leaves change colors on that tree to a nice golden yellow. Once the leaves are gone on that tree it’s officially fall here for me.
