Thinking Out Loud
Fall in Love

October 13, 2013
By: Diane Szczepanski

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. - Nathaniel Hawthorne


I enjoyed another day in a lawn chair, slathered in sunscreen and wearing my swimsuit. That it is mid-October makes this even sweeter.

I believe I've enjoyed the past two months, more than I did all of the Summer months this year. I guess we anticipate and expect beautiful warm days in June, July and August and when it's not a cornucopia of blue skies and dog-day heat, we feel we've been gypped of something precious.

Swindled by Mr. Gray Clouds of our hard earned and much yearned for tropical heat.

So, to be graced with unexpected temperatures, open windows, abundant sunshine and the ability to enjoy the patio well into October is an unforeseen treasure. It makes reading the book on the deck as the sun warms the skin, even more heavenly. Walking the dog becomes a treat, not a chore and the aroma of a sizzling steak on the neighbor's grill continues to make the mouth water.

We've been so lucky this Autumn in Michigan and I apologize for all the whining and complaining I did this Summer.

The days have been gorgeous and I am thrilled to continue having regular dates with my golf clubs, in attempt to improve enough to have a game that doesn't involve any cursing.

Therefore, I forgive Mother Nature for all the "so-so" days of this past, seemingly short Summer, because she has been blessedly kind to us this Fall.

I hope she forgives ME for doubting her.