Posted on 09/11/2005 4:50:03 PM PDT by grey_whiskers
I have lived in a number of different states in my life, from the East Coast, to the Midwest, from the Deep South, to the Desert Southwest. And who knows, I may even make it to the West Coast someday. Through it all, one thing has remained: my love of September. The end of summer, the beginning of fall, the lengthening cool evenings. No matter what else was happening in my life, I have always taken the time to breathe in the air, look at the shadows, and give thanks for all that September brings.
It is the climax of the baseball season, as the pennant races heat up, and the baseball pundits begin to share their anticipation. Will our star pitcher reach 20 wins this year? Who will reach the 40 HR plateau? What are the most exciting match-ups in the playoffs? For those whose beloved teams are not called to the ball, there is a hint of anticipation: will our rebuilding program bear better fruit next season?
It is the beginning of the football regular season, when the training camps have separated the starters from the also-rans. The established teams look forward to another dominating season, the up-and-coming teams hope that their new draft picks will propel them to elite status. And of college football as well, a time to spend Saturday afternoons watching the TV, honing one's procrastination skills to avoid the leaf-raking to come. Or if one is so fortunate, a time to visit the alma mater, cheer on the gridiron heroes, and reminisce about younger days.
It is a time of change in nature: the crops are being gathered, the searing heat dissipates, the very sky grows softer and more remote. One begins to think of autumn camping trips, unwrapping sweaters from their long storage, and long walks through the rustling leaves. If one lives on the coasts, perhaps there is time for one last trip to the beach--chiller than in the summer, more suitable for walking along the beach than plunging into the surf.
Different locales all have their different rituals. In Maryland, it is a time for the last of the sweet corn, for Labor Day crab feasts (corn, crabs, and beer--what a delightful combination of finger foods!); in the Midwest, the temperatures plunge, taking with them the last remnants of summer, and warm apple cider looking forward to the chill winter to come; in the Deep South, and Southwest, it means a break from the relentless summer, an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors hiking, biking, or just browsing at outdoor shops, or lingering on the patio of the local Starbucks. And in many locales, September is a time for merriment and get-togethers: a State Fair, a Renaissance Festival, outdoor Shakespeare performances (I often enjoy the Arizona Classical Theater's presentation of Shakespeare plays in September).
And on a personal note, September has been a month for Thanksgiving in my household. We were married in September: getting closer to twenty years. One of these years we WILL take that Alaska cruise we've dreamed about. And our firstborn is a September child, born almost a month early, he is a New Year's eve celebration that remains with us.
But, speaking of children, there is one dread prospect to mar all of the happiness which September brings. School. Now instead of freedom, a chance to play endlessly with friends, memorize entire cartoon series, and read favorite books, it is a time to get up early, sit long hours at a desk, and complain endlessly about homework. That lasts only a few weeks, until the children remember that they see their friends at school, and that homework keeps them from being bored.
It's just another thing about September that never changes.
Cheers!
I love my Michigan Septembers. Summer has returned with a vengence this week. The wife bought lumber for my birthday and it's a beautifull evening.
Life is good.
I tried to reply, but the mods said it had been pulled.
This is a test.
I love September too.
As a former teacher, September was always the return to school, but I loved the job and looked forward to it. Although in the West coast we have Indian Summer, and those football practices did not really feel like fall until the last week or September and the start of October.
Now as I spend my summers trying to escape the heat, my wife and I look forward to the Fall to head South and renew friendships and eat grits at Waffle House again.
God, one has to have indulged to know how true your words are.
Happy Anniversary and thank you for a wonderful read.
We have Indian summer here as well. I think this warm spell (90s) is just summers last hurrah. We'll get indian summer when the leaves change.
We get Indian Summer sometimes, but, I think Fall is on time this year. The temp. today has been a refreshing 76 degrees (much better than the 100+ days we've had since about June-good riddance). There's a nice cool breeze blowing, and the light is starting to take on that soft quality it gets this time of year. Luv, luv, luv, it.
I'm envious of your 70 degree temps! Fall is my favorite time of year. Crisp cool nights. Light jackets. The smell of burning leaves. Geese and ducks flying south. I love it!!! The starts always seem brighter to me this time of year!
Oops! starts=stars
Hunting season begins in September! I truly hate summer. Unless I'm near water, I can't deal.
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