This week – today, specifically – marks the first day of fall.
I’ve felt the end of summer coming for several weeks.
I no longer immediately see the sun rise when I wake at quarter to 5 in the morning.
We’ve had to wait until nearly 6 a.m. to start our morning hikes, and even then, we need flashlights and headlamps to start down the trails.
The crisp in the air at the beginning and end of the day and pumpkins, apples, and Halloween candy everywhere have been further hints that sunshine and beach days are behind us.
This year, in particular, the summer just felt too short and somewhat anticlimactic.
We were forced inside by wildfire smoke from Canada in the early weeks of summer. Then the month of July was largely rainy and gray. We rarely had two consecutive days of sunshine, and when we did see the sun and clear skies, the humidity and heat index made being outside fairly intolerable.
August was a bit better weather-wise, but with a long road trip, a wedding, and a backyard reception (plus the usual culprits like work and yardwork) eating up our time, the days just flew by.
I don’t say all this to complain. I welcome the changing seasons and appreciate the differences. I am glad that with age, I have become more aware of the changes in the weather and those subtle signs that a new season is coming.
Still, I felt that this week was an opportunity for reflection. Here are a few of my favorite highlights from summer 2023:
Sunrise hikes to the top of a local mountain
Crisp, cool summer salads and smoothie bowls
Running to beat the heat!
Getting caught in summer showers
Our garden was less successful than we had hoped this year, so I am optimistic we’ll have a better yield in 2024.
We also didn’t make it to the beach enough!
But in this moment of reflection, I am so grateful for summer 2023. For the wedding and the friendship and the time outdoors in nature.
In a few months, I’ll be looking ahead to warmer weather and sun-tanned skin. But for now, I’m embracing sweater weather and bonfires in the backyard.