Pages

Sunday, August 23, 2009

TGIF! (Thank God It's Fall) - Carrie Weaver


Yes, I realize it’s still technically August, but bear with me here. Fall is my favorite season of the year and I can’t wait for it to arrive, so I act “as if” it’s already a reality.

Before you start thinking I’m a little strange, you should know I live in Arizona, where the summer temps top 115 degrees. I’ve never gone for that whole Spring-is-the-beginning of-new-life theory, because by May, I’m already trying to think of ways I’ll be able to survive another broiling summer.

Summer in Arizona. Think four long months of burning my hands on car door handles and steering wheels. Four months of cabin fever and continuously recirculated air. And four long months of electric bills that rival my car payment.

But my love affair with Fall started long before I started paying electric bills. As far as I can tell, it started when I was just shy of six years old. That’s when I started Kindergarten and discovered the wonderful world of school. I’ve always loved learning and I found starting a new school year an exciting adventure.

Even though I’m not in school anymore, my love of all things Fall continues. We don’t have four seasons per se in the Phoenix area. But soon after school starts, there’s just something different in the air. The mornings are cooler, almost decent. And the sun’s rays slant at a kinder angle. The promise of outdoor endeavors and reconnecting with neighbors makes me feel as if life is one big adventure. And wow, the red, gold and orange of changing leaves is only a few hours drive away in Oak Creek Canyon. And after that, the promise of the holidays....

So please humor me and share your favorite things about Fall. And I’ll blissfully act as if it’s already here.

In appreciation, I’ll award an autographed copy of Baby, I’m Yours to one lucky contributor. I’ll take entries up through Wednesday.

Carrie


31 comments:

Debs Desk said...

I live in Texas were it is 100 or close most days. I cant wait for cooler weather.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)Verizon.net

housemouse88 said...

I live in Kentucky and so far this year our summer has been extremely mild. Our problem is having a little too much rain. Sorry for those of you out west and the heat.

What I love about Fall is the changing of the colors of the trees. We live in the mountains and the vibrancy of colors can be awe inspiring. It is also when I get to start wearing sweats. I do so love comfort. Have a great day.

Caroline said...

Over here in the UK we call Fall - Autumn. And like you I love it, not because we get blistering summer weather and I need to cool down (btw it's been a wet summer here) but because it means I can get down to serious writing. The summer months pull me out of my writing schedule like the Pied Piper. So roll on the fall and winter so I can get my creative juices flowing! Take care. Caroline x

Laney4 said...

Bravo for acting "as if" it is already Fall. Sounds like a plan to me!

I live in Ontario, Canada where we have four definite seasons. I am tired of the hot and sticky days this summer -- and we haven't had that many of them this year, what with all the rain! I say, "Bring on Fall" too!

I need to get out walking but make excuses. Once Fall arrives, I have no more excuses about it being too hot in the mid afternoon to walk (because I didn't get to it in the cooler mornings).

Also when Fall arrives, we won't have air conditioning or heating bills for a month or two. Whee haw! Our house is situated well for the Fall weather, as it holds in the heat, but it means that Spring is an expensive season with air conditioning, especially to sleep at nighttime. I much prefer Fall....

Driving is much more enjoyable when I'm not trying to see past the sun reflections on the snow or the heat rising up from the pavement, etc. Just crank down those windows and enjoy the lovely breeze! Ahhhh. Feels good just thinking about it.

Thanks for the glimpse of Fall. It won't be long now....

Heather said...

We just moved from Northern New Mexico right on the Rio Grande full of cottonwood trees and the like to Vegas and no trees.

Fall is also one of my favorite if not my favorite season. Out come the hoodies and sweater hoodies, the trees change to the most beautiful colors of red, brown and orange. The air gets a little crisp.

With each fallen leaf you know that Halloween and then Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner.

Oh and the Ultimate....MY KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND I HAVE PEACE AND QUITE AND A CLEAN HOUSE FOR LONGER THAN 5 MINUTES.

Carrie Weaver said...

Deb, the fact that it’s a dry heat doesn’t seem to help, does it? We dropped down to the 90's one day last week and it was heaven!

HouseMouse88: May we please have some of your rain? Our monsoon season has been practically nonexistent. We’re down something like two inches from where we normally are. :-(

Caroline, I definitely get more writing done in the Fall (Autumn). Maybe it’s a hold over from when I had smaller kids at home and they needed me non-stop in the summer. My teen now only needs me in spurts: to feed him, find lost articles and occasionally alleviate his boredom.

Laney4, I love being able to take my walks outdoors. I suffer the treadmill in July & August, but I get bored easily and as a result, don’t exercise as much. I just started walking in the neighborhood again and it's so much nicer. The up side is that I walk longer, too, because I get bored easily on the treadmill.

Heather, yes! I love curling up in a well-worn pair of sweats or flannel PJ’s! I have at least a month, maybe two, before it gets cool enough around here for those. And when my kids were younger, I was nearly dancing with joy as school started. My two boys bickered and fought constantly and my last nerve was long gone by then. ;-)

Carrie

Carrie Weaver said...

Boy, I'm not aware of the repititions until I finalize the posts. Now you can see how much I really need an editor!

Carrie

Marcie said...

I love the nip in the air in the morning and when the day warms up there is no humidity.
Fall brings a promise that something good can happen.

Kytaira said...

Having lived near Phoenix, in Gila Bend, I know what you're saying about cooler days! The only problem was getting dressed. Mornings could be freezing cold and then a beautiful day later.

Here in WA, the days are beautiful in the fall. I love jeans weather. It's nice but not hot. I don't notice it as much here because most of the trees are evergreens, but in WI I loved the changing colors of the leaves.

lynda98662 at yahoo dot com

The Brunette Librarian said...

I love fall too! School was fun (When I went!) but I think the things I enjoy most about fall are the events...Craft shows, foot ball games, school plays...that sort of thing. Something to look forward to! :)

rachie2004 @ yahoo (dot) com

cheryl c said...

Fall is my favorite season, too. I love the colors, the cooler temps, and college football!

Pat Cochran said...

I love the leaves' change of color,
mainly because that doesn't occur
too often in Houston. In fact the
Chinese Tallow tree is one of the few trees here whose leaves change
from a bright green to yellow-gold
to a bright red. Today as we left
our son's home in The Woodlands,
(up north of the city) there was
one tree with one branch that was
tipped with leaves that already
showed some color change. And in
August, yet! Prior to today the
only color change we have seen is
in the trees dying due to drought!

Pat Cochran

Carrie Weaver said...

Fall brings a promise that something good can happen.
Absolutely, Marcie. That’s exactly how I feel.

I’m waving to former Zonie, Kytaira. Yes, those days are made for wearing layers. I envy you all those evergreens.

Rachie G., I associate football with chilly evenings. Growing up, we lived a couple of blocks from the high school. Our windows were open to catch some of that cool air I can remember hearing the marching band and roar of the spectators. That really meant Fall to me.

Cheryl C., another football fan! Thanks for stopping in.

Pat, I hope the leaves changing color is an indication the drought is over....

Carrie

Mary Kirkland said...

I live in Las Vegas, so I can so relate to wanting to pretend fall is already here. It's hot here until October. I am looking forward to being able to drive without having to put my long hair up...*because I have no air conditioning in my car*
Being able to drive with the windows rolled up so I can sing along loudly with the radio and not have people look at me like I'm crazy. lol
And to be able to be outside without melting. The decorations that come out around that time are always nice too.

robynl said...

love the changing leaf colors, the cooler breezes, the bright colored pumpkins, the up-coming craft fairs and bake sales.

Carrie Weaver said...

Mary, no air conditioning in your car? In Las Vegas? Yikes. That’s rough. Although my first car in AZ didn’t have air. But I was younger and more resilient then. I hope things cool off for you very quickly. And I love Fall decorations, too -- all the warm, rustic tones.

Robyn, craft fairs are a fave of mine. Halloween used to be a favorite, too, but it’s not as fun now that my kids are older....

Carrie

Donna Alward said...

I love fall too! It's my favorite season. We got married in the fall. I've even been acting more fall-ish even though our heat has been hellish - though Hurricane Bill seems to have taken a fair bit of it with him.

I still get excited about back to school...that particular smell in the air reminds me of catching the school bus again, or apple picking time, cooler evenings and the mellow sunshine. I get the urge to bake, to organize, to put things by for the winter. I love getting back into a regular schedule (Caroline, I hear you on the Pied Piper) and like Laney I love lower heating bills.

But most of all I love the leaves. I'm in Nova Scotia and love the variety of colors. I missed the reds and oranges when I lived on the prairies.

Laurie G said...

Favorite things about fall.

The beauty of fires in our fireplace.
The smell of wood burning.
Getting out the sweaters, jeans, jackets, hats and gloves.
Raking.
Long walks enjoying the maple trees.
Love fall football: HS-Go Falcons College- Go Badgers Wisconsin, Go Gators Florida and Professional -Go Packers
Kids come home for Homecoming festivities.
Making apple pies with macintosh apples.
Cool nights for easy sleeping.
Watching the squirrels scurry around collecting food for the winter.
Getting the kids ready for school.

Carrie Weaver said...

Donna, I married my ex in the Fall. It allowed me to use Fall colors, but we had to select the date carefully so it wouldn’t coincide with hunting season. He’s still a great guy, but you know, I’d now hesitate to tie the knot with a man who planned his anniversary around any sport...unless he played the sport professionally, that is. ;-) Unfortunately, Halloween and my birthday occurred during elk season. Conflict? You bet! You also mentioned apple-picking. One of my goals this season is to travel to Wilcox, AZ, where they grow the most amazing organic apples. Yum!

Laurie, no maples or squirrels here, but they’re just a short drive away. And wearing jackets is also one of my faves. I find I want an assortment of jackets vastly disproportionate to the amount of time we get to wear them in Phoenix.

Carrie Weaver said...

My oldest son (an avid outdoorsman) would be quick to correct me, lol. Halloween is deer season in Arizona.

gigi said...

I live in South GA and live in a tropical climate. Hot and humid. Some days the air is so damp feeling you feel as if you can't breathe.
On Sunday a cool front pushed through and dried the air out. it might be 91 degrees but it feels cooler now.

The best things about fall is the smell of the crisp air and no gnats to get in your eyes

Mary Kirkland said...

Carrie, yep no air conditioning in my car, in las vegas. lol needless to say I usually do my running around early in the morning or after the sun goes down.

Cherie J said...

I live in Florida so I understand the yearning for Fall to arrive. I want some cooler weather so bad. I can't wait for it to get cold enough for me to be able to drink hot cocoa and not feel weird about it. I love hot cocoa! I will be happy to see hurricane season end as well.

Carrie Weaver said...

Mary, definitely a smart move to get your errands done early!

Cherie J., I'm glad Arizona doesn't have hurricanes because I'm such a fraidy cat. I don't blame you for wanting the H season to end! And hot cocoa -- yum!

Carrie

Emma said...

I like the cooler weather.the leaves changing color. When it is cooler I take longing walks.Emma

Mari said...

Favorite seasons are spring and the end of fall because----no mosquitos and bugs!

Carrie Weaver said...

Emma, yay for changing leaves!

Mari, you made a great point -- no bugs! We don't have mosquitoes, but I sure am glad when the ants and flies make themselves scarce.

I don't know about anyone else, but I seem to enjoy baking more in the Fall....

Carrie

Maureen said...

I like the cooler weather and the fact that my birthday is in the fall.

Carrie Weaver said...

Maureen, it's good to see a fellow fall birthday person!

Carrie

Carrie Weaver said...

AND THE WINNER IS....Emma!

Congratulations, Emma! If you send your mailing address to me at carrieauthor@aol.com, I'll send out your autographed copy of Baby, I'm Yours :-)

Carrie

Laney4 said...

Hearfelt congrats, Emma! Way to go!