WND – It’s Not You, It’s Me

August 26, 2010

60 degrees in March is a cause for celebration. It’s throw open the windows, and daringly go out without a coat weather. It’s refuse to feel envious when my parents gleefully tell me that they’ve had to close the windows because it’s only 60 degrees where they are (actually they usually tell me this in February when 60 degrees seems like an almost mythical temperature in Boston). It’s the promise of Spring weather and I look forward to it every year.

60 degrees in the last two weeks of August, however, is miserable. It’s unearth the three sweaters that didn’t get put away for the summer, and still shiver at the bus stop weather. It’s shake off the quilt that’s been happily languishing at the foot of the bed, and turn on the heat in the car and refuse to even consider the concept tomatoes and watermelon with Dinner weather. It’s go out of my way to find broccoli just so that I can roast it weather. And, you know things are dire when I’m actively seeking out broccoli for my menu.

I know it won’t last this time. I know that the week (theoretically) will end in the 80s, and that come Sunday I can set out a pitcher of ice tea to steep in the sun and lie in the backyard reading while I try and soak up enough sun to make it through the winter. I also know that I’m seeing apples at the farmer’s markets and that squash isn’t far behind, and that while the weather is an exception this time, it won’t be soon.

It’s too bad that Fall happens when it does, because I love everything about it except for the way that it presages Winter. I love the hot cider, and the crisp falling leaves. I like apple picking and squash baked with cinnamon and brown sugar. I love pumpkin in pretty much everything, even coffee (as long as I remember not to open the cup and look at the color of the latte, because coffee should never be orange). It’s just the long snowy icy winter months that I’m not thrilled about contemplating.

On the upside, while I fear that this week’s unseasonal chill is a harbinger of the end of Summer, it was also break out the tea tray after Dinner weather, and it’s been a while since I had a cup of after-Dinner tea.