Falling Out of Summer

I woke up today to the sound of rain hitting the windows. I peeked through the blind - wow, a vertical wall of water! It felt like salvation after weeks of relentless heatwave.

I don't particularly like summer; here in the UK, the heat is worse than in many places, because the humidity makes every step feel like waddling in soup. But now, the air is finally crisp and fresh, and I can breathe again. The light changes too; the sun is lower in the sky, casting dramatic shadows that make everything look like a painting.

What's that? Sweaters? Well, duh! Sweaters are the best! I love the texture of wool, and my cardigans still carry a faint smell of the laundry detergent from when I retired them. (Also, thick socks. Also flat caps!) Fall just seems to be the most comfortable time of year for me - cozying up with books, drinking hot chocolate, and watching the leaves turn from green to yellow and then to orange. And the food! Pumpkin spice everything! Extra cinnamon, warm soups, apple crumble... Yum~!

Of course, some people find the change in season difficult. They might feel a sense of loss as the days get shorter and the warmth fades. But for me, the transition is a welcome relief. It's a chance to slow down, to be present, and to appreciate the beauty in the decay. As always this time of year, I'll go to my local cemetery and sit by the washed out gravestones, thinking about the people who once were here and now are just a part of the earth.

Is that too morbid, perhaps? I don't think so. We're all just parts of a bigger cycle, and the falling leaves are just a reminder that letting go is unavoidable - we might cling to the branches with all our might, but in the end, we'll have to fall. All of us. And that's okay; we'll be replaced by something new and fresh when the time comes.

For kids, it's back to school. For graduates, it's a job hunting season. For me, it's the perfect time to focus on my art - spring and fall are usually when global contests and open calls happen, each one a chance to try something different, to meet new people, to learn something unexpected. I already have a sketchbook prepared to be filled with sketches of red leaves and rain-slicked streets.

In that sense, fall is more than just a change in weather; it's a mood, a feeling of anticipation and comfort. It's the smell of incense and damp earth, the sound of dry leaves crunching underfoot, the taste of warm cider. It's a time for introspection, for moments of reflection, and for embracing the slow descent into shorter, quieter days.

So, as I sit by the window, watching the rain turn the world into a blur of grey and silver, I feel a deep sense of peace. The air is cool, my tea is hot, and my heart is full. My favorite season has arrived, and I'm ready to welcome it with open arms.

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The works featured in this journal can be found in the @Traditionalists Featured Gallery.

Do you like fall? What's your favorite thing about it?

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