Autumnal Changes
Sunday, September 29, 2024
It’s that time of year again. Like the slow change of winter into spring when I feel restless to get out, and start exploring the world with long walks in my local park. Autumn does the opposite to me. I feel a different kind of restlessness. One in which I feel almost a sense of panic knowing winter is coming and … and snow is on its way. Lots of it. That bitterly cold temperatures will mean no long walks anywhere, unless that it, you are dressed in several layers of winter-proof clothing.
It gets me every year. No matter how much prep and lead in there might be, depending on the weather at the end of summer. While I feel a joy at autumns arrival, that sense of dread is the flip side of the coin. It can go either way. If we’re lucky, and we get a long Indian summer through out the month of September, much like we’re enjoying now. The dread is kept at bay, at least for the time being. But come October, when autumn is in it’s full Fall colours, and that first somewhat tentative snow falls, I feel like every bird in the province. I want to fly south. Fly anywhere, but stay here.
Which is silly really because, once winter does arrive, usually after Christmas, sometime in the New Year, it can be magical. Fun even. All that winter white, like stolen moments from a Hallmark movie. And I think, this isn’t so bad after all. If I can’t get out, I have a stake of books to read, movies to watch, and fun recipes to make for spiced mulled wine, or marshmallow hot chocolate.
And then, there’s the lead in to Christmas itself, all the fun with my adopted family, Christmas trees, decorating, buying presents, and the obligatory family parties. They all make winter all the more enjoyable. And, I tell myself, the season is, after all, getting warmer every year. At least, I try to convince myself global warming has that as an added bonus. More snow, but less frigid temperatures? Sure. Let’s go with that.
It wasn’t so bad when I was fit enough to go skiing and or ice skating, but now? Ah, now, now I have to build up my reserves to make it through seven months of whatever Mother Nature throws at us, till that snow finally melts again, and those first few acid green buds appear on the trees and burst into full grown leaves.
I can do it, I know I can. I’ve done it before. I can do it again.