The First Day of Autumn

Today begins the official first day of Autumn in SoCal.

At least for me anyway.

September marks the beginning of the hottest month of the year for us.

For the past week we’ve had to run the AC at night.
Scorcher.

Eventhough I have been out of school for many years, butterflies return to my tummy like the swallows return to Mission San Juan Capistrano a few miles south from us. As a mom I transferred all my educational anxieties of a new school year directly to my children.
Every Autumn I stress ~
‘Will any friends be in their classes’?
(elementary school)
‘Can they get the classes they need’?
(high school)
‘Will they get the ‘good’ teacher this year’?
(elementary, high school & college)

Maybe the butterflies won’t migrate to SoCal this year.

Nope. Right on schedule.

The sky is yellow with smoke from the fires miles away.

Although the Santana winds do not blow through until late October or November I am already looking forward to their energy and baptismal.

Halloween candy has made its debut in the grocery stores.

I am always tempted long before the night arrives.

Although there is not one leaf in sight that has turned amber or crimson the craft stores are ablaze with fall colors and faux pumpkins.

Last year someone stole my pumpkins right off my front porch.
Not once but twice! Boo hoo!

I have taken down my strings of bistro lights.

No more backyard parties planned.
I am in mourning.

Orb spiders are increasing in size and are everywhere.
They are known for their beautiful detailed webs.
The morning sunlight reveals circles of diamonds that have been caught in them overnight as children discover them on their walk to the bus stop.
They are the best decoration for Halloween.

I hate spiders.

We have said good-bye to son1 to return to college and we will not see him again until Christmas. I have that empty feeling today that will last until I hear he has returned safely to his dorm room.

Time for another diet plan.

Hope springs eternal.

How does autumn arrive for you?


“Autumn Leaves”
~ artist unknown

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Comments

  1. We are on the same page. Although instead of anxiety I always have a surge of energy and anticipation.

    I did make my once every ten years trip to the high school to make sure child #4 does not have the WORST chemistry teacher she was schedules to have.
    I don’t ask for much or often, so when I do the administration knows I mean it!

    Perhaps that is one of the reasons I am not anxious?

  2. I am so glad fall will be right around the corner!

  3. The air is crisp and the sweaters are out. Soon we will turn our heat on maybe in two weeks. We had cold rain and hail over the weekend. Love Autumn and candy corns!

  4. Although I do love summer very much, and find it ending to quickly, I am looking forward to Fall this year. It seems like time is flying by faster and faster each year.
    You should rig something up this year so you can catch your pumpkin thieves! I would be mad too. Also hate spiders.
    Don’t mourn the backyard parties, your kitchen is still open right? Mine is open 24/7, 365 days a year. (According to my family!)
    Have a great Labor Day weekend!!
    XOXO

  5. Autumm arrives for me when Tennessee football kicks off (this Saturday! Whoo Hoo!!!), and with the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks (yesterday! Whoo hoo!!!). Ahh.. I can almost smell the leaves burning already!