Fall

Ok, I know I am jumping from fall to Christmas to fall, but that's sort of how it is right now. Part of why we are putting up decorations so early this year is that my dad is coming here next week and then we'll be traveling quite a bit. So, we won't be here much during the holiday season and thought we could enjoy it a little ahead of time. Plus, it'll be cozy for our house sitter! 

In the meantime autumn has finally fully arrived here. I always feel cheated out of fall when everyone talks about the leaves changing and nothing is happening here.

We've lived here now for over five years and still I forget that fall doesn't arrive until mid-November. But then it is beautiful, usually sunny and cool and dry and many of the leaves change to spectacular colors.

Then we'll have a fairly mild winter for a month or two before spring begins sometime in February. By mid-March everything will be in full bloom again!

It is only the hot and humid and hot (did I mention hot?) summer that seems to last forever. But we won't talk about that again until next year...

Still, even in November it is mild here and an eggplant bush that had come up from seed this summer finally decided to produce several beautiful eggplant. We aren't complaining, but it will probably be our neighbors who get to harvest while we are gone...

Now, on to my daily gratitude list:

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

Right now, I am grateful for:

1. A beautiful and sunny fall day that is cool, but warm enough to have the windows open
2. My dad coming to visit
3. Breakfast at my favorite cafe this morning
4. The internet for allowing me to connect with all of you
5. My family and friends! For sure!!