One woman asked a question of a small group in Asheville, “Are you ready for autumn?”
Nobody admitted to being ready. Normally I would have replied enthusiastically, but I kept quiet. The only answer was from someone whose favorite season is summer. She had more hot-weather things she wanted to do. I’ll bet she didn’t grow up in the South when the only air conditioning was in movie theaters and ritzy department stores. I’m sure that is what cured me forever. Given the chance, I’d vote for a three-season year and relegate summer to the hottest place of all. Then why was I not speaking up for fall? The rest of the nation had one of the hottest summers on record. Our son, also in the mountains, said Hot Springs became unbearable. Sizzling air pressed down on the little town that the Appalachian Trail runs through. He thought his mountains kept cool breezes up in the sky. The sad truth is I hadn’t filled my quota of complaining about the heat.
Several times I’ve read that women have a biological need to use a huge number of words per day, and the requirement for men is much, much lower. In like manner, it is evidently in my genes to complain bitterly about hot weather. I’m guessing I used to spend 21 hours a year fussing about summer heat. That’s an elastic estimate based on an hour a day for each unbearable day of horrific heat and horrid humidity on Long Island. We moved from living at sea level to thriving at 2,600 feet above it. That’s living the high life! Although Hot Springs was a grand spa town back in the day, it is quite a bit lower. Son John $ had reason to feel depressed under that heat.
The newspaper was full of dire statements about the awful heat across the nation. We didn’t feel it in Jonathan Creek. We ran the air conditioner a few hours on the hottest days, and the rest of the time we kept windows and doors open for the cool breezes. About two weeks ago the temperatures began to go into the 60s and then the 50s at night. What was there to complain about? Nothing! And that was my problem.
There was an article about leaf season in the local newspaper. The writer claimed trees were changing, and we were in the prime area to view it. John and I noticed several trees with yellowed leaves up on the mountain behind our house. Wanting to take advantage of the season, we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There should be no better way to get in the mood for fall than to see leaves changing. We commented that all we saw was green. Just then we rounded a bend and found trees with clusters of bright red-orange berries. What a lovely sight! I knew they had to be mountain ash trees. There were lots of them at that elevation and none anywhere else. Yes! I’m through with complaining and ready for autumn!
What about you? Are you ready for a change of season?
Mehrling Muse 
I love summer and normal heat but even I had my fill this year. Some nice crisp apples and good sleeping weather will do me fine.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You wrote about a hot summer, so I was feeling your pain. A very hot summer seems to last forever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a summer/water baby myself, however, to get to view beautiful trees like that would be awesome indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those ash trees were startling and exciting. I don’t think I would have minded summer if we’d had a pool. Private pools were unheard of when I was growing up. We went to a beach that was five minutes away when we lived in NY, but we roasted in a hot car on the way back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The idea of unbearable heat in the Summer is almost laughably low in the UK as we’re not used to too much heat. This year we seem to have had our fair share of it and though it’s not lasted very long I’ll be glad of the crisp cool of Autumn and the beautiful changes of colour to our trees. All fingers will be crossed that it won’t be a wet one too, though it did start that way. Yesterday was a glorious Autumn day in the way I like them. Bright sunshine in the open and cool in the shade.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
LikeLike
We lived in Reigate and Walton on the Hill from 1980 to 1982. Summers in England were glorious! We had wonderful neighbors and friends in both places. Those were among the two best years of my life. Please hug England for me. Humongous hugs to you, too.
LikeLike
Autumn is my favorite season (spring is second), so the idea of the heat of summer disappearing holds no fears for me.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you can go fearlessly into autumn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find it best to prepare to be surprised by all of life. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I generally love autumn because it means that winter is coming, I did feel that we somewhat lacked a summer this year. Odd thing is that it looks like we’re getting it this week. 75°F in October? Really?
LikeLike
It is cool here. I should think about wearing long-sleeved tops again. The summer seemed to speed by, probably because we had David and Nathaniel here. It was a fun summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too grew up in the south (Fla)…with no air conditioning and always celebrating Fall. Am I ready for that nip in the air? Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m adjusting to a new autumn here in Mazurah. It’s October and we are still fully green and fully hot. Mid 80’s today, however, the humidity has decreased so it feels pretty good!
As well, I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the “happiness tag” because your blog makes me happy! You’ve always welcomed me as family! http://wp.me/p75Mx2-hT this should link you to the post where I nominated you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am very ready for autumn! I am ready for the Midwest humidity to be gone till next summer. I love the crisp cool evenings with the sounds of combines in the fields, grain dryers humming and the smell of leaves on the ground.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by. I looked at your blog because of MariJo, and I loved your writing. I was struck by one statement here, that you are ready for the Midwest hunidity to be gone till next summer. It actually goes away???? We lived on Long Island for 50 years, and our humidity there went away for only a few minutes every month. It wasn’t much better in Tennessee where I grew up. Finally, in the mountains of North Carolina, the humidity doesn’t bother me. Maybe I’m just so happy to live here that I don’t let things bother me. I’m looking forward to reading about your life in the Midwest.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes! Our humidity actually leaves for part of the year….the downside is that come winter it is replaced by snow that comes down sideways and bites into your skin like needles if you are out there too long. I have a feeling it is what keeps us grateful when the seasons change.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s 90+ today and humid and I am so ready for a little fall breeze (that teaser last week makes this even worse!)
One of the things that is so bad about summers is the constant AC .While the cool is fabulous (how did we manage as kids without it?), I miss open windows and outdoor sounds drifting in.
Yep, I vote for 3 seasons and summer banished…or relocated for those who simply must have it
LikeLike
What a marvelous idea! You are brilliant! Let’s relocate summer for those who love it. I’ll meet you halfway on someone’s porch to celebrate. Bring a sweater.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucky you to have such lovely seasons, here we only have summer and the rainy season.
LikeLike
I have always lived in four-season locations. Please write about your two-season area. I have a lot to learn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Philippines is a tropical country Anne so mostly we have sunny days throughout the year but when rainy season sets in, we are afraid of flash flood because most typhoons here that visit us especially at the late quarter of the year are strong and destructive.
LikeLike
It has been quite a few years now, but John’s sister and her family spent a summer on Mindanao. They loved the people there and said that visit was a life-changer for them.
LikeLike
Gorgeous picture! I’m ready for autumn, I just hope it’s a long one to keep winter away for a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person