Ready For The Change

I awoke this morning to the first real signs of Fall.  Oh, sure, there have been all too brief glimpses of it here and there ~ a cool evening, an even cooler brisk morning.  But this morning was different.  My view out over the river was of overcast skies, of gray waters blending into the gray of the cloudy skies.  Ah!  Fall! 

It has become my morning ritual to brew my double shot Americano,  scoot the dogs out the back door and greet the day. The deck overlooks an expanse of green lawn that slopes down, connecting with sage, river rock, and eventually the mighty Columbia River.  On mornings of late, the quiet has been interrupted by the slap of a fish on the water's surface as they feed on the insects that are swarming just above the surface.  Or perhaps, it's the call of a gull as they circle over head.  On my most fortunate mornings, these calming sounds are not broken by the dogs barking at some random noise and I have the luxury of easing into the day.  Quite the life!

But this morning was especially wonderful with the obvious approach of Fall.  Those who live here will say that summer was forever in arriving!  Spring rains and cooler temperatures lingered for months, it seemed.  It felt like it was mid-July before we had decent weather.  But summer heat arrived finally with a vengeance with the blistering temperatures, perfect for outdoor meals and water adventures.  I'm the first to admit that I love the summer meals and dining alfresco.  But, you know, all good things become dull after a while.  Those summer days drone on and on until - for me anyway - I'm ready for a change.  I look forward to the briskness of the mornings.  The sounds of the geese as they dot the skies heading for the corn fields to glean the pickings before they begin their trek for the winter months.  Sweaters!  Bundling up in the warmth, feeling soft and snug
(and actually being able to hide those extra pounds rather than have them out there for public notice in a tank top!) 

The savory smells of soups and stews coming from the kitchen and permeating throughout the house is another favorite one of my favorite signs of fall.  And who can resist a crackling fire, or watching a movie while the wind and rain carries on outside the window? 

I'm hoping this morning was not just another one of those "false alarms" for fall.  I mean, I don't want to break out the winter clothes and then end up in shorts and flip flops again.  I want to really go for it and commit to the warmer clothes.  For now.  Yes, absolutely for now.  But come January I'll be complaining about the cold and praying for warmer weather.  You know, just that break in the clouds and the temperatures in the 70's, right?  Perhaps I need to write myself a note and put it in my calendar somewhere in January, or maybe February to remind myself of how anxious I was this day for the cold.  Right about the time I'm facing my third head cold and replacing my windshield wipers - again!