A Love-Hate Relationship for the Seasons

It started to hit me earlier this week as I noticed the night creeping in earlier.  On some level, I felt it coming with the chill in the night air keeping the bedroom window closed, but with the need to run the air conditioning much of the week as the 90+ degree days continued to stretch out I ignored the obvious.  For a girl that thrives on change--seeks it out to alleviate monotony--I almost always cling desperately to the summer, refusing to acknowledge its frail end as September boasts the comeback of things like Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes or the farmers markets generous offering of squash, apples and kale.  These are all things I love as much as I do the 90 degree days, the summer sun hitting my skin and desperate avoidance of buying a new swimsuit; but I resist, with all mental faculties, the acknowledgment of their presence--at first.

Even as I find myself giddy with the prospects of apple picking in the next few weeks, it was with some pain that I found myself so unabashedly enjoying an early season Honeycrisp this week.  Today, though, was the first day that acceptance started to set in.  Perhaps it is appropriate that I find myself coming around to the changes in season as the Labor Day holiday hits.  No latte or apple bumped me over the edge; it was the absolute sheer delight I experienced today as I was able to pull out my favorite sweater and wrap myself in it.  It's the perfect accessory to wide open balcony doors as I write this evening.  A welcome reason to slowly let go of my grip on summer and start to welcome all the fabulous things the autumn brings.  Tonight would only be made more perfect with s'more* and wine in front of a fire.

And with my acceptance, I now want to have this sunset breeze bring with it the smell of crisp gold, orange and crimson leaves, pumpkins baking and cinnamon.  

*A s'more is not vegan, but sometimes a fantasy is not and should be indulged where appropriate.