Well here it is, the close of summer is upon us once again. I’m not sure what happened. I feel like March was yesterday. But they say that time accelerates as we get older, which I guess must be true. I know it’s fall because the days are only getting up to around 84 degrees or so and the nights are getting longer and staying in the 70’s. I can walk the dog after work and not return drenched in sweat. I can walk to my car from work and not feel as if my face is melting off. Another sure sign of fall being here… I can tune in to watch the Jags lose on Sundays once again. The seasons have begun to change.

Of course fall in Florida is a bit different than fall in West Virginia. I spent some time outside today at the arts market and felt “relief” at the 85 degree temps which had been close to 100 just weeks ago. It’s not quite boots and hot coffee weather yet, we don’t get that here until maybe December or January. But being outside for any length of time is now very doable, and that is fall in Florida. For a few months, the days will drop into the 70’s and the nights into the 50-60’s and we’ll be in paradise. I love the weather here this time of year. I’m a summer baby, born in June, and I love my spring and summer too. It is nice to be able to be outside more though.

I do miss the season changes in my home, West Virginia. I know fall hasn’t completely taken hold there yet, but it’s closer than it is where I am. I miss the changing leaves, the cool days and the crisp nights, blankets and sweaters and sweatshirts and boots. The cold air has a smell to it… hard to define, but it’s there. It smells like leaves and smoke and damp. It is the time of year when my dad would make huge pots of soup. Pinto beans, or potato soup, or vegetable soup, and cornbread. When it’s cold out, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade soup that’s been sitting in the frig for a couple of days; that’s when it really gets yummy. It’s the time of the year when everyone in town gets together to cheer on the Marshall Thundering Herd and take part in the rituals that bind my hometown together. You either go to the game, watch the game on TV, or talk about the game with everyone you meet. It’s a part of who we are for anyone who grew up in Huntington or has lived there for any length of time. It’s the time of year that Huntington has the annual Fire Parade downtown with the firetrucks blaring sirens and groups of children walking in costumes to promote fire safety, alongside the reigning Miss Spark and Miss Flame. I’m honestly not even sure they still hold the pageants, but they did when I was a child and it was always a fun part of the parade. It’s the time of year that Chili-fest is held downtown! All the chili you can eat, made in every way imaginable is available for sampling as the cooks work on their contest entries all day. There are games and entertainment too, until the end of the day when the judges choose a winner. It’s one of those small town festivals you can go to and always see several people you know, without fail. Of course I’d be remiss not to mention the beauty of Ritter Park once all the leaves begin to change. The park runs through the city, and is a showcase for the old, tall pin oak trees that line it’s path. They are beautiful when they are a vibrant green, but they are spectacular when they begin to change into shades of yellow and orange. The branches create a colorful canopy as you walk along the park path. It’s truly beautiful and makes you feel closer to nature. (https://www.cityofhuntington.com/visitors/ritter-park/) And then I saw just a few days ago that Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream has pumpkin soft serve ice cream now and I am so jealous of anyone who is close enough to go get some of that. I can’t explain to you why Austin’s is so good… but just trust me on this one, it… is… delicious. The fact that it’s been there since 1947 should tell you all you need to know. (https://www.austinsicecream.com/)

Fall is here. In Florida that means I can venture outside and not feel annoyed and sweaty and uncomfortable. Back home, that means that all of the sights and smells and tastes of having distinct seasons are just around the corner. I enjoy living in Florida but I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to wearing shorts on Thanksgiving, or not seeing my breath in the air in December. There are pros and cons to both of course, but having a real fall is beautiful and sure is a lot of fun!