Today was the last official day of summer. This time of year is my favorite, it has all the summer fun, but with immediacy... each day could be the last warm day, so catch the sun while we can. The days are growing shorter and the nights are cooler. We can still sleep with the windows open, but have just added a second blanket. Daylight doesn't linger the way I wish it would, but the sky is clearer and more colorful. Reddening trees and softer shadows already have me longing for another summer season of bare feet, lemonade, swimming, staying out until the very last bit of sun. Summer's end leaves me full of sweet fruits, good-tired from long walks, and somewhat saddened by a sense of loss. But a calm sadness, a sadness felt in the shifting light and the rustling branches. We are only beginning to lose the warmth, the daytime, the laughter, and the bird songs. No, not quite ready for hibernation yet, but we start to feel it in the later sunrise, cold floors, and desire for hot beverages.
Before all that happens, the decadence of autumn color, hiking, apples, dew, blue jeans, vegetable soup.
Remembering (and basking in the last bit of) the glow of summer days by the lake, watching sailboats, parades, rainbows, grilling, bicycling, sundresses, sunflowers, and playing outdoors.
