This week I am thankful for fun and for fall.
Now, granted, I’ve been told that what I’m experiencing in “fool’s fall” and I shouldn’t let myself be tricked by the lower temps, overcast, breezy days. Fine. I’m not tricked, but I am going to enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
I walked to a meeting across town yesterday, and it felt so good to get out and move, to breathe deeply, to smile and say hi to my neighbors (and play with a cute puppy out for a lunchtime walk).
After hiking in the summer heat in Italy I’m totally up for a sweaty trek, but there is something nice about walking to a meeting and not showing up totally drenched. It’s humid here in Charlottesville this summer and the heat can be oppressive.
Moving through my day more slowly gave me time to stop and notice the trees again. I love the dusty blue berries popping up on the junipers.
The cicadas are loud all over town. In my meeting we had some time for silence, and it was striking how loud they were with little else competing for my attention.
I’ve been inside a lot this summer since I’ve been home, taking just a few moments here and there to sit on the porch and soak up some sun. Yesterday afternoon I sat out there for a while and enjoyed the breeze and looked forward to working outside again consistently in just a few weeks’ time (hopefully!).
We don’t get a lot of seasons in Texas and the changing seasons bring me a lot of joy now that I live in Charlottesville.
My favorites are fall and spring by far. I find myself wishing away summer and winter about halfway through each. But I’m trying to embrace all of the seasons and find things to appreciate about each. I’m also trying to embrace a little bit of fun every day. Summer is a good time for that with the bright sunshine and poppy tunes on the radio.
I’m back inside today because our sweet girl Britt had surgery yesterday. The surgery was relatively minor and she’s doing well but isn’t allowed to run around or walk upstairs so we are doing a lot of cuddling (it seems to make up for the fact that she has to wear a cone…at least a bit).
While I don’t get to take a long walk today and enjoy the cooler weather, I do get the chance to take care of my girl and in the process take some forced rest of my own. This too is a season of sorts (which should last about a week assuming she heals up well as we and the vet expect). I’m trying not to wish it away but rather embrace the extra snuggles and get a little work done where I can.
I keep telling Britt, I promise this won’t be forever when she looks up at me out of her cone with those pitiful eyes.
Summer is coming to an end and as much as I’m looking forward to a new season (not fool’s fall but real fall) I will be sad to say goodbye to this one. It’s been full of meaningful experiences and a lot of growth. As much as I prefer the cool to the heat, I wouldn’t wish away this time for anything.
lamplight stories 