Cooling Ahead…Autumn on the Horizon

As I was scrolling this evening, a funny little weather icon appeared on my screen with the delicious words “cooling ahead”. Now…it really has been a mild summer out here in the East East Bay where normally we bemoan the sweltering triple digit heat and run for cover in our AC laden homes. But my heart skips a beat whenever the forecast dips into the 70’s or even high 60’s. Sweater weather…happy weather.

“Cooling ahead”…that’s so nice to hear as we enter the second half of August and September looms like a beloved holiday. Ahhh September, the dawn of shorter and cooler days, the slant of the sun burns a little more golden blossoming into a striking auburn come October. And October, then November, then the crown of the year, December and the Christmas Holiday. C.S. Lewis said of Christmas, “The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of earth-the very thing the whole story has been about.” (C.S. Lewis – Grand Miracle) And December is the central event of the year…at least for me. But not so fast…

Let’s enjoy the anticipation of another fall. As I age, I know there are not many left. I intend to extract every element of Autumn and savor them: fires, hot chocolate, cinnamon, apples, baking, sewing, reading, holiday lights, coolness, falling leaves, crunchy leaves, and eventually wet roads. Misty days, fresh air, wonderful photography are all lovely shades of this time of year.

(AI generated)

There’s a quote by Georgia O’Keeffe I like, “I have done nothing all summer but wait for myself to be myself again.” Now, I’m sure she wasn’t referring to my malady of enduring hot summers. But essentially those words do give expression to how I feel when the weather cools. I come back to life. I am myself again. The heat just zaps all my energy and I easily lose focus. But once that first molecule wafts in that has a hint of autumn, I perk up and my giddy schoolgirl excitement soars. “My refreshment draweth nigh…”

I hope you summer-philes enjoy the rest of your season. I am happy that y’all enjoy the sun, sand and water. Don’t get me wrong, I do love those things as well, but in comparison to those elements of autumn, there’s no contest. Autumn triumphs. I am more of an internal person anyway, and autumn is the perfect backdrop for most of my favorite activities.

So as we press through August, let’s savor these last days of the summer, as we should and contain our anticipation of the glorious season to come. By the way, Starbucks will begin to serve Pumpkin Spice Lattes on August 25, 2026…FYI.

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains because He is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.” — Joel 2:23