Somehow, everyone the Internet over started thinking that September constitutes fall. Personally, I blame Starbucks and that infernal Pumpkin Spice Latte. They roll it out September 1st, when most of us are still too sweaty to even consider wrapping our clammy hands around it, and all the sudden everyone is trying to convince us it is time for leaf jumping and butternut squash soup. Pinterest is starting to hemorrhage with pictures of chunky scarves and piles of knobby pumpkins and golden leaves. Fall is here, the Internet screams, paying little attention to the reality that most of us are living.
And that reality? It’s sweaty and hot and not the slightest bit in the mood for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
I don’t know about you, but last week was just about the hottest of the summer, gracing the mid-nineties daily. I blew my breakers multiple times running my AC units and resorted to eating mostly salad in an attempt to keep the oven off. I rolled into my office with sweat trickling down the back off my sleeveless sheath and felt my hair rebel against its coiffed waves as the humidity styled it into something akin of a shaggy dog that stuck its paw in a socket.
But it’s not all bad. I continued dining on peaches last week, soaking in my favorite summer food and coupling it with fresh caprese salad for a perfect summer meal. I spent all last Thursday afternoon at the pool, thanking my lucky stars that DC public pools are both free for residents, and stay open till early October. I cranked up the country music in my car and let those summer anthems wash over me.
It isn’t that I am a fall hater. No, I love fall. LOVE IT. I love chunky infinity scarves that wrap around my neck for ages and go perfectly with my thick tights and high boots. I love trees that change colors and scatter leaves that crunch when I walk. I love pumpkin muffins and thick stews and all that is autumnal.
But it isn’t time for that yet, and I feel that one of life’s most important lessons is to love the time we are in rather than the one that is coming. I’m not willing to chase out late summer and stand around sweating in my scarf for fall to show up. I do a little of that every year and then, almost every time, Augustober shows up and reminds me that the postcard fall often doesn’t come until we almost thought it was too late. Plus, fall doesn’t last, and you know what?
WINTER IS COMING. And if last year is any indication, IT NEVER LEAVES. I just can’t even go there. Admittedly, this week has ushered in much cooler temperatures and gray skies that do remind us fall is coming. Still, the highs are upper 70’s and low 80’s and that doesn’t exactly inspire me to bust out some cable knit sweaters.
Ultimately, I don’t want to rush these delicious days of late summer where there is still time to eat a few more ice cream cones and get a handful more freckles. I don’t want to miss out on the last peaches and final dives into blue waters. I don’t want to miss out on the sweetness that is September, a month that hovers between fall and summer, that lets summer go out in a bright flash that reminds us of all we love about her.
So everyone just chill out about those Pumpkin Spice Lattes, ok?
The Art in Life 
what pools are open till october?
The Hains Point one — I think the official name is East Potomac Pool or something. You need to hit it up!!!
I live in Florida where summer never ends. September is the month when you actually want to go to the beach, because August is too hot. I agree with you, I never want to rush the last days of summer.
I would LOVE to be hitting the beaches this month… Enjoy it!!!
I am ready to say goodbye to summer. It’s been a long and hot Idaho summer, but I realize that it’s still several week from being over. The weather is still in the high eighties and low nineties. That is NOT my jam, but I realize that I’ve just got to suck it up until the beautiful, crisp fall mornings are here!
See, there are moments where I might feel ready, but then summer IS STILL HERE, so I’ve just decided to give in and show it some love! Even if I am a sweaty mess.
I’m guilty of ushering in fall, perhaps too soon. This summer was just a hard one for me and I’m thrilled to say goodbye.
That does make sense! I think I am extra sad to see it go because this fall is gearing up to be a hard one.
Hear, hear! It’s nice to know I’m not being too terribly curmudgeonly with my (less eloquent) ramblings on the topic. 🙂 All in due time…
Curmudgeons forever!!!!
Very nice post and a great reminder to just live in the now!
It’s the only one we are actually promised!
Hi Hannah,
I am such a big fan of your blog I read every single word and just can not get enough. I am 36 years old, from Namibia and have three daughters 9, 7 and 3(I’m sure you don’t need all the detail, but can’t help myself sharing 🙂 you feel like family sometimes). I just love the way you make me tour the world without leaving my home…Thanks.
Our winter is just over it is spring now, wonderful spring. I do not like winter…..soooooo glad summer is on the way again(gardening :))), swimming and sun). Thanks for always reminding me of all the small blessings in life like summer and spring.
Regards from sunny Namibia,
Marieta 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet words! Enjoy that summer that is still yet to come!
YES YES YES. This is what I’m saying! Sept 1 is not fall. Let’s enjoy the last bit of summer while we have it. I like fall too, but it kind of just reminds me that we’re going to be freezing our buns off soon, which I’m so not excited about. Long live summer 🙂
Oh the bun freezing days…. I am NOT looking forward to those.
This is quite possibly my favorite blog of all the blogs ever because it’s the echo of my very soul. I hope you’ll also join in me in my annual #nochristmasnovember campaign as well.
I AM THERE. We need t-shirts and snarky yard signs to plant in the homes of those who put up decorations early.
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