autumness

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

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A couple of times in the last two weeks I've almost felt the whisperings of autumn. Slightly crisp mornings, or an occasional leaf scuttling across my path as I walk the two blocks to school from the church parking lot where I leave my car. I can't imagine living anywhere except Florida. Truly. This is my only home, and I'd stop functioning away from the constant sunshine. But I love the idea of fall.

I love the idea of colored leaves ripening on trees and falling off limbs like fruit too heavy for the branches, then whirling in the wind before settling on the sidewalk. I love the unexpected jack o'lantern peering down from apartment balconies as I drive down 441. I love cranberry walnut pancakes with cinnamon butter that only appear for these few months before the dirty wetness and oppression of winter.

I look forward to a salary so that I can stalk autumn. Seriously, I fully intend to budget for autumn vacations in New England every year.

Until then, I fake fall.

I know this sounds particularly odd. But given the lack of true seasons in Florida, I feel perfectly comfortable creating my favorite time of year. I have scarecrows and artificial leaves. I have pumpkin hand soap, candles, body lotion, coffee (with creamer), and cookies. I have my friends over for pumpkin carving, beer tasting (in the true Octoberfest tradition!), and football watching.

Most of the time I revel in Florida. But for these few months, I wish I was a Boston girl...