If one can be homesick for a season then I am homesick for autumn. I know it isn’t “officially” here yet but I even miss the anticipation of fall. There is little for me to love about living here in the desert southwest but this is by far the worst time of the year for me. In the next week or so I’ll break out my leaf garlands and pumpkin decorations and do my best to create autumn inside my home.

But I can’t change the triple digit heat outside. I can’t make it really feel like autumn. I can’t create that crisp, fragrant air or conjure up a maple tree with flaming red leaves outside my window. I can’t wear long sleeves. And that makes me sad.

So today I am going to create autumn in my head and heart. This is a spontaneously generated list of all the things I love about autumn:

1. chilly air
2. the low angle of the sun
3. watching football
4. pumpkin chili
5. chocolate chip pumpkin muffins
6. colorful leaves
7. the sound of the breeze in the trees
8. hot tea on a cold morning
9. the smell of apples and cinnamon
10. picking apples
11. meandering in a corn maze
12. making pies and applesauce
13. candles flickering in drafts
14. apple cider
15. wearing long sleeves
16. cardigan sweaters
17. cold, gray, rainy days
18. tomato soup and grilled cheese
19. that special shade of blue the sky is in October
20. reading a good book under an afghan
21. Movies set in autumn (like “Step-Mom” and “You’ve Got Mail” and “Hocus Pocus”)
22. Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday!)

Looking at the list I realize I can actually experience most of these. And I bought two new short sleeve autumn themed shirts from Life is Good so I can wear “autumn” shirts. I have a camping trip planned in October which should give me a taste of cool air, colorful leaves and the joy of evening campfires and hot tea in the morning. Not a perfect solution but better than nothing.

Just like that I feel better. 😊