Seasons

Morning all. I woke up early this morning, took a quick shower and dressed even faster, all so that I could make coffee and sit outside for a bit before heading to work. The cat enjoyed the change in routine and I got to sit watching the birds until it was time to leave. A perfect morning. I might have to start making that a habit.

When I opened the door this morning I was instantly surprised by how cool it was. After weeks and weeks of over 70 degree weather in the mornings, today's mid-50s felt positively cold. And refreshing. I'm always seduced by this time of year. I LOVE the summer! Love it! But right after the fair ends I start wishing for fall. I am seduced by the cooler weather and the desire to play in the falling leaves. I start spending more time at home sitting on the patio. I may be a summer fanatic but I've always enjoyed the fall.

The only problem with fall is that it is followed by winter. I've often described it as the Sunday of seasons. I enjoy my Sundays but always in the back of my mind there is this reminder that I have to go back to work the next day. I enjoy the fall but always in the back of my mind there is the reminder that winter will be here tomorrow. And we all know how I feel about winter.

But for the moment I'm enjoying. I love my long-sleeve fall sweaters and jeans. I love sitting in the cool air sipping coffee and watching the leaves fall. I love the colors and crispness of fall. I love playing in the leaves and carving pumpkins. And today made me think that fall is just around the corner. I'm excited.

Poetry Friday

It's a beautiful day. The kind of beautiful summer day that makes you feel happy just to be alive. Everything feels infinite on a day like today and I'm caught up in the sheer joy of good weather. So of course I had to offer a Carpe Diem poem.

Barter
By Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And childrens's faces looking up
Holding wonder in a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstacy
Give all you have been, or could be.

Early Fall

I'm sitting on the couch typing in front of my front window when I hear an odd sound. Particularly an odd sound for August. The leaves are rustling on the front patio. That's when I look up and realize that half the leaves in the tree are yellow. The trees at the other townhouses are the same way. All day the wind has been blowing strongly and the leaves are falling.

The summer has been one of the coolest on record. This July has not had one single day over 90 and we've had most of our nights below 60. There has been almost no rain and no serious storms to speak of. So I think the trees are confused and are heading into fall early. I know that I've been confused. I keep thinking it's September. My sweaters have not yet been packed away for the season. The office is constantly freezing. It simply doesn't seem like August.

With this said, I've been enjoying a little bit of outdoor time this weekend. Jeff and I went driving yesterday and found a new lake to explore. We got lost and discovered a beautiful new neighborhood with some incredible houses. We spent some time walking and just hanging out. And my big excitement for the weekend is a bird feeder. (Yeah I'm apparently old). I finally bought a feeder and hung it up yesterday. I've been avoiding buying one because of my mother. She feeds the birds, obsessively. It's a testament to her generosity but she carries it to a bit of an extreme. I don't want to get to that level. But I figure one won't hurt. Now I just need a bird to find it. I've been sitting in front of the window, playing on the laptop, and watching for the birds to arrive. I love Sundays. I just wish I didn't have to rake in August.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

No not spring and summer although that is part of it. It's Cricket Season!!! Ever since Jeff took up this little sport I have been enamored. Not just because all the guys are wonderful and treat me like family. Not just because I get to hang out with the amazing international crowd in Iowa. And not just because I love the chance to sit out on a Saturday morning and watch the field and the birds and the game. I love the game itself. So much so that baseball is now boring to me. 

I mean how exciting is an at bat when you know that the person has another coming up in a half an hour. Now with cricket, when you're out, you sit down for the rest of the game. No more batting for you. That means a lot more tension and a lot less forgiving of mistakes. 

When we were in Australia, Jeff and I had the chance of seeing a match at the amazing Sydney Cricket Grounds. But we were rugby mad at the time and ended up seeing a rugby match. Not that I regret that in the least. But to see where the international Aussie cricket team plays. Wow that would have been cool. 

So we went out this morning in the rain with the thought that there was no chance that we would play. Cricket is even pickier than baseball about the field. But I guess if you were playing on concrete you would be too. But surprise, surprise we played. A shorter 25 over match. But we played. And Jeff hit a six. His first. He'll be living on that for a while. 

I know that I'm pretty much writing this for me. I'm sure no one is reading, particularly this early but I just have to say, it was great to be back with my boys of summer. At least one new face this year and I'm sure he'll fit in beautifully. With the way the guys accepted Jeff and adore him as the token American (no longer token white guy thanks to Chris) I'm sure this new guy will fit in. And really the way the guys have accepted me as one of them. I go to Hooters for wings and beer after the games. And I noticed this year that most of the guys have no issues padding up in front of me anymore. Mmmm half naked men and cricket, could life get any better. 

Summer starts for me when the first cricket ball is bowled. I'm so glad it's here.