JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Okay, I need to acknowledge that technically fall doesn't start until the autumnal equinox on September 21. But here in the US, it always feel like Labor Day is the real turning point; before, summer, after, fall. No matter how late classes start in your district, all the kids are now in school. University students have moved into their dorms, and the choir is back at church. In the publishing industry, people are working on Fridays again!
Even in places where the weather is still like summer on steroids (sorry, Jenn and Rhys!) magazines and stores are showcasing boots and sweaters. So let's do a fast five on what the change of seasons means.
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
In Maine, the temperature change from the last week of August to the first week or so of September is noticeable. It’s like Mother Nature has turned down the thermostat. The nights are about the same, in the 50s/10s but during the day? Those 85/30 beach days are over. The average high this coming week is 75/23, and that daily high temperature doesn’t linger. Which explains my next answer…
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
Cardigans. I keep lightweight cotton ones out all summer long, but I’ve already worn wool cardigans two days this past week!
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
Hot homemade soups! I’ve already made a big pot of potato soup and ate it with biscuits and with grilled cheese sandwiches (not all at once!) I’ve never enjoyed cold soups, so it’s lovely when it gets chill enough for a nice hot chowder.
4. What do you add to your to-do list one summer is in the rear-view mirror?
Wood. Wood, wood, wood. Stacking it in the wood room and carrying it into the house to fill up my iron cradle/boxes/stacking frame.
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
Don’t laugh, but I LOVED getting the Fall edition of TV Guide. I would read it from cover to cover and plan which new shows I was going to try. It’s nice having new entertainment possibilities at all times, but today’s generation will never experience the thrill of the New Season.
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
Apples, pumpkins, the choir starts up in church, and for the first time in a while, we aren't sweating our brains out!
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
I haven't yet dug out my puffy vest, but I am rooting through the cedar closet:)
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
We still have tons of tomatoes in the garden, so not saying goodbye to those yet! But we're nearing the end of the local peach season, which make me so sad, and also corn on the cob. On the plus side, local apples are amazing!
4. What do you add to your to-do list once summer is in the rear-view mirror?
It should be writing more, shouldn't it??
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
Going back to school! I always loved school and picking out the first day of school outfit. The grandkids' first day of school pix--they had the same excited smiles, but yikes, the clothes are SO casual. (I know, I sound like an old fart.)
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming? The first little drop in the brutal temperature. A week from today the high is predicted to be 89. Hallelulja!! Get out the sweaters!
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ? My ratty old GAP hoodie that I love dearly.
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....? We are still getting tomatoes, corn, and okra in the market, but I think the tomatoes are actually coming from somewhere else as it's been too hot here. Hello SOUP! I can't wait!
4. What do you add to your to-do list one summer is in the rear-view mirror? Like Lucy, I'll say writing more. But we have so many outside chores that it has been too hot to do...
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant... School supplies!! I still want school supplies, only mine are more expensive now:-)
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
Nothing. It's still over a 100 degrees. LOL. But the Halloween decorations at the hardware store are an indicator that the temperature might drop in another month or two. LOL.
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
A hoodie. Lightweight, of course.
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
Apples, pumpkins, and cinnamon on EVERYTHING.
4. What do you add to your to-do list once summer is in the rear-view mirror?
Plant my winter garden. Hello, kale, butter lettuce, and broccoli.
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
New pencils and notebooks. Such a dork. But there is nothing better than a fresh number 2 and an empty notepad. It's the most wonderful time of the year...
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
There is Halloween stuff at the CVS, too, Jenn! SO ridiculous. And I have been on book tour for the past week, and everywhere there are pumpkin spice ...things. Also, the leaves are falling into my still-blooming mandevilla and impatiens window boxes.
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
I got some really great new cropped sweatshirts and I cannot wait to wear them. And boots! But it is still too soon for boots. Again from book tour--it was SO HOT that one outdoor event was moved inside because it was unbearable. (The heat, not the event.)
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
Beef stew and chili. And good good Fuji and Honeycrisp and Envy apples. But it is still WAY too hot for that. WAY.
4. What do you add to your to-do list once summer is in the rear-view mirror?
It all runs together, actually. My book is due October 15.
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
New pencils and notebooks! I still love that.
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
Today I noticed a beautiful tree with yellow leaves. Even though it's still summery here the trees know that fall is coming.
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
I'm traveling to England in a couple of weeks and trying to picture what I might wear in chilly, rainy weather when it's still eighties here. I just bought a suede blazer in a sort of coffee color. That's right for fall.
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
I was at the farmer's market the other day and the beans, Italian and fava, were perfect. And the peaches, pluots, plums. Unfortunately I don't grow anything... no time this year, plus a resident squirrel would eat anything I grew.
4. What do you add to your to-do list once summer is in the rear-view mirror?
This year, as you know, has been crazy and now my house is in complete upheaval because my daughter Anne is moving in with me. So new flooring in the downstairs, her own suite down there, my media room now the guest room, John's old office now the media room, a dumpster plus two trailer loads of stuff for the dump and hopefully a lovely new downstairs by the time Anne moves in.
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
I think I looked forward to school each year. It was satisfying moving up a grade and then finally knowing I was a prefect and got a blazer with braid all around it. But I've never been a big fan of fall. I like long light evenings and waking to sunshine peeking in through my blinds.
Julia: Now it's your turn, dear readers.Just copy the questions below and share your answers in the comments!
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
4. What do you add to your to-do list one summer is in the rear-view mirror?
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
1. What's something that happens after Labor Day to tell you fall is coming?
ReplyDeletePumpkin Spice everything arrives everywhere.
2. What's the first thing you pull out of your closet that says, "It's fall now" ?
My much-loved [and much-worn] denim jacket.
3. Goodbye, strawberries and homegrown tomatoes, hello....?
It's time for making soup!
4. What do you add to your to-do list one summer is in the rear-view mirror?
Moving the plants back inside before it gets too cold for them to stay outside.
5. When I was a kid, I was excited about September because it meant...
School! And pencils! [I still love pencils] . . . . .