The Autumn

It's a blustery October day today and I'm enjoying the fall weather. As I sat at my desk this afternoon I saw a flock of geese flying overhead and heard their honking farewell. The crows have been frantic in the trees outside of my window, perhaps preparing for a fall storm.

It's interesting that last year at this time I was almost in a panic at the thought of autumn and the short, dark, and wet days on the horizon. I was also spending a lot of time thinking about my approaching fiftieth birthday that was also looming. I felt almost desperate to hold on to summer, perhaps a slight parallel with the way I felt about entering my own autumn season.

This year I am looking forward to some cozy months indoors. I'm thinking about time for baking, trying some new recipes, and doing some quilting. I've sorted out things in my sewing room and there's fabric on my cutting table just waiting for a Saturday afternoon when I can begin.

I've discovered that fifty is really just a number, and yet there is something about reaching that milestone that has shifted my priorities and changed my focus.

On another note, I just realized that if my Mom was still here she would be turning eighty years of age today. It's almost impossible for me to imagine her as an old woman; she passed way suddenly when she was fifty-five. I miss her still.