... I miss fall

For a few weeks, I've been making comments (okay, complaining) about the lack of fall at the coast. At least, the lack of fall as I know it. Fall as I know it begins to appear around late September and is in full force by Halloween. By November 1st, everyone has resigned themselves to the knowledge that boots, pants, sweaters, jackets, and scarves are in their lives to stay until March. Fall as I know it has brilliantly colored trees in every shade of orange, red, gold, and brown. Fall as I know it has a crisp chill in the air that makes your cheeks just slightly rosy. Fall as I know it is my favorite time of year. Fall as I know it is wonderful.
Make no mistake, that fall does not exist at the coast. Halloween is exactly 6 days away, and while out and about today, I saw no less than 10 girls in shorts. At one point, I drove past a bank whose sign cheerfully informed me it was 74 degrees. 74 degrees!! Mother Nature, 74 degrees is NOT October 25th weather. 74 degrees is a climate more suited for May-September. I'm sure poor 74 degrees feels hopelessly lost and displaced. I'm sure he would like to return to his natural habitat. Could you kindly see that he is returned home? Soon?
Yeah, yeah, yeah....poor Mary and her perfect, gorgeous weather at the beach. Life sure is hard for her. Must be soooo hard having to suffer through 74 and sunny all through October. Well, it is. It is true what they say. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Had you asked me a month ago if I would ever wish away the perfect temps and clear blue sky, I would have given you a very emphatic "no" (This is hypothetical of course...technically a month ago, it was raining non-stop. Perhaps I should have said "Had you asked me six weeks ago".....oh well. Details, details.) I would have never thought the delay in the changing of the seasons would effect (affect? I never know...) me so much, but I find myself annoyed with each passing day that doesn't provide a need for a jacket. We are headed back to Greensboro this weekend, and I am so excited to see the changing of the leaves and have a pumpkin coffee. I'll probably even sit outside while I drink it, just to let my cheeks get a little rosy.