Julia Slaughter

Yesterday I woke up and opened the door to let the dogs out and I braced myself for the worse. I was prepared for the heat to wrap itself around me like a damp hot towel, and instead I was pleasantly surprised when cool crisp air welcomed me. I stepped out in the cold dark morning  in my bare feet and night gown and reveled in that feeling that perhaps Fall is finally here. I drove to work with my windows down and stopped by Starbucks to indulge myself with a Spiced Pumpkin Latte, which sounds horrible but is absolutely delightful! It’s deliciously Fall, in a way that can only be eclipsed by the smell of freshly baked Pumpkin Bread.The five day forecast promises more of this Fall weather, and I refuse to look past those days in case there’s an Indian Summer lurking around the corner.

I love Fall, like some people seem to love Spring. I long to go home and open the windows and let the fresh air in to touch all the dark and shadowy corners that have been untouched since Summer set in around me. I long to fire up the oven and make Pumpkin Bread and warm soups and stews with savory smells. I wish I had a hammock and I would spend the day in the dappled sunshine, reading and napping to my heart’s content. I just love this time of year.

I think for other people Fall is the threat that Winter is coming, but for me it’s the promise of Winter. I love Winter too. Of course I live in a part of the country where Winter is pretty mild, there’s no snowstorms to keep us home bound, in fact there’s hardly any snow at all. (Every few years we get an inch or so.) Fall and Winter bring some of my favorite holidays – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course Mardi Gras.

Sadly, I’m at work so instead of getting to enjoy this beautiful Fall day, I’m sitting at a desk day dreaming but in my heart I’m in a hammock with a book in my hand, dozing off.