Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – October 10, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – October 10, 2004

I’ve Finally Succumbed

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – October 10, 2004 – It’s October 10^th and I’ve finally had to put away my sandals, open toed shoes and slip on flats. My toe ring has returned to my jewellery box for the fall and winter seasons. I got out my black turtle neck sweater today and wore my long denim vest over top of it.

Black socks from my bottom dresser drawer and sneakers from the top shelf of my closet were called up for duty, as my summer feet were covered up for the first time since late April. I’m slowly admitting that the changing weather is winning. It’s time to put away all things summer. Next to emerge will be black patent pumps, tights and leggings, fall blazers, coats and scarves. Gloves won’t be far behind. At least the cooler days of October give me a chance to prepare for the cold days ahead. Fall is the “transitional”season. I don’t think my mind and body could tolerate going from summer to the cold blast of winter without autumn acting as a buffer.

October and November are often sunny and mild – warm sweater days and cool evenings. By the time the first snow flies I’m used to being bundled up again and my heavy winter coat is a welcome ally in the fight against dull, cold December days. Just last week I put my duvet back on my bed and I love the feeling of snuggling under it as I sleep. I keep my windows open at night for as long as I can.

Last year I made it to mid-November before I had to shut my window at night and turn on the gas fireplace in my third floor bedroom. I’ve already dragged out my portable electric heater to warm up my feet as I work at my computer and watch television. My wool throw has been retrieved from the linen closet to take up residence on the leather sofa in the den. I like to cover up and keep warm when I read or watch movies, and I often have a furry friend or two at my side to keep me company.

I’ll soon be making my annual trek to Canadian Tire to pick up plastic sheeting to cover my patio furniture and garden fountain. An outdoor clean up is in order, along with a final long watering of the gardens to keep them nourished over the coming winter. I enjoy the first crisp fall mornings when I can see my breath. It makes coming back inside all the more enjoyable. The first night frost can’t be far off and the cold days of November won’t be too far behind.

It’s fall fair season in small town Ontario and time for week-end drives to see the changing autumn leaves. The Royal Winter Fair will soon remind us that all things ‘plant and animal’ are an important part of our lives. Kids will soon be planning their Halloween costumes for the all-important witching night of trick or treat. Pumpkins and colourful gourds are in evidence in all the grocery stores and on the shelves of the local green grocers.

I’ve already admired this years display of Christmas decorations at Pier One. They’re bright, colourful and cheerful. The change of seasons is difficult to accept at first, but as autumn takes over and I “surrender summer” – I start to look forward to the things that are part of fall and winter. Soup, apple cider, squash, chili, baked apple pies, roast turkey, chicken pot pie, pumpkin pie and roasts cooking in the oven surrounded by carrots, onions and potatoes.

Reading by the fireplace, hot chocolate with marshmallows, windy days, warm gloves, hats and wool scarves. You can’t be a Canadian without understanding the changing seasons. So this day, in early October, I finally give up and put away my summer toys. But not too far from view – it will soon be May again.

P.S. – 2014 and many things are still the same for me – except I now make compassionate choices in my life – and that feels so good!