Ramblings of A Mutant Penguin

The Mutant Penguin Herself Speaks - Personally

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Is It Autumn Yet?

Oh soon I hope! I am ready for cooler weather. I can tell autumn is coming. Winter, too. When I leave for work at 6am now I *always* have to turn on my headlights. And this week, the defroster. Autumn will be here when I return from vacation.

I am waiting for that walk on the beach. To feel the cold wind rip through my short hair. To huddle inside my jacket. I will bring a fleece zip up jacket just for this trip. I wait to once again fill my nostrils and lungs with that tangy salt sea air that only York Beach has - air I can taste and almost touch. I want to sink into the sand in my sneakers as I walk towards the wetter sand hoping to get a few rocks and shells to bring home with me. Things I can hold in my hand that will bring back the smells, the memories, the happiness, when I am back in central California where the ocean is a long way away.

I want to make a fleece blanket for my mother while I am there. Some cold, dark night while we're sitting in the livingroom talking and pretending to watch a movie or tv show we both like I want to have a tv tray table in front of me with fleece and scissors and craft something just for Mom while we're talking. She is so appreciative of whatever I make her. I already know I will be knitting and/or crocheting like crazy while I'm there. I always do. She loves a variegated color scheme that, quite frankly, I really don't like. I will make as many washcloths as I can with that color for her.

Autumn means more than cooling weather and more darkness (which I love). It is more than a shared birthday with my twin brother. It's that last trip to the beach. It's knowing that after two weeks with family my heart will be heavy until Thanksgiving which I will hopefully spend with Susan. And then it will plunge again until I board the plane to go see Ally and Matt and Sean and Joey the night before Matt's birthday.

Autumn is my favorite season. It means family. It means feeling happy most of the time. It means I lived through another Chico summer although that was a LOT easier this year than it's been for a long time. I live in a place with central air conditioning. And this winter, like last, I will be warm again.

Autumn means I will give and receive many hugs and kisses from people I love. My family. The PSC Gals. It is going home and feeling like ME.

Is it autumn yet?