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I am ready to let go of summer and embrace fall. She has wooed me once again.
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This weekend at the Farmer's Market, there were Gravenstein apples. Have you ever had one? They are so delicious -- a tart/sweet experience that can only be had for a month or two each fall because they don't keep well over winter. And they're usually on the smaller side --- so you can eat 2 at a time without feeling like a piggy!

The days have still been warm. But evenings have cooled considerably and mornings are chilly. I refuse to close my bedroom window; so I had to put my thermal blanket on my bed. (I still get to stick my toes out.) It's lovely to wake feeling the cool air on my nose and yet be all snuggly under the covers.

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I need to wear a light jacket or sweater when I set off for work. And I needed to turn on the small space heater by my feet for the first hour when I arrived at work! I made an extra cup of tea to help warm me as well. And I thought about the arrival of fall .....
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I thought of the happiness I get when I reacquaint myself with my autumn wardrobe (like old familiar friends). I thought of warmer sweaters and walking shoes & boots; of hats and light weight gloves. I thought of how wonderful it is to walk in the cooler temperatures until your body warms up and you can see your breath. I thought of the leaves changing color; of scarecrow festivals and thick soups & stews; of cobblers & crisps; of baked winter squash (with drizzles of butter and maple syrup); of pumpkin carving and (even better) pumpkin pie.
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I thought of how blessed I feel at this time of year to live in a 4 season climate.
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And I thought of all the things I can do to introduce the beauty of the seasons and this province to my international students.
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The seasons are like my children -- I love them all equally, but there are some things that each one does that the others just can't compete with.

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