I have a seasonal disorder. Not the kind that makes you all depressy if you don't get enough sun and vitamin D in the winter, but the kind that means I am kind of crazy about my seasons. I decorate my house by them, choose nail polish and lotion by them, cook by them, even listen to music by them. I am kind of militant about fully participating in the change of seasons.
Now I will admit, the lack of traditional seasons is one very stupid thing about living in a desert. I say we have two seasons really:
1. Hot as Hell season for 4 months from June to September
2. Perfect Weather Season the rest of the year when it gradually gets chilly from October -
January, and then gradually warms up from February to May
Don't get me wrong, Arizona has more traditional seasons, especially in the mountains. But alas, I live in the valley. So if I want the leaves, brisk air, and hoodies I need to wait until December (when it actually feels like fall here) or head to the mountains this time of year. Those mountains are a short drive in any direction, and believe me this year we plan to be out in the Jeep every weekend in search of some autumn.
However, in the meantime, the process begins to create a synthetic autumn oasis inside, despite triple digit temperatures outside. I call it fallification, and it usually starts with a serious trip to Bath and Body Works. (I promise this is not an advertisement for them, although if they want to pay me for the plug in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin scented anything I would be fine with that.) Smells are so important for me in creating that seasonal vibe, and Labor Day always feels like it should be the start of fall, so I start to stock up.
This coming weekend we are heading back to Wisconsin for the wedding of some good friends of ours. I can't wait to celebrate with them and soak up some 70 degree weather. I always get a bit homesick this time of year, because it is truly the best time to be in the Midwest as it starts to show off with its cool nights and football.
I took the beautiful changing seasons for granted back there, how nature just does all kinds of decorating for us. In a way, I actually appreciate the seasons more now. They are more intentional. We have to work to create them here, which forces us to stop and pay attention to the passing time. They seem worth embracing and celebrating.
When we get back it will be time for more fallification - baking with apples, pumpkin decorations, and Halloween party planning.But for now, it is 90 degrees at 11:40 p.m., and I am happily typing away on my laptop with the air conditioning on, a fan blowing on me, and my Autumn candle burning in the background smelling like apples, leaves, and firewood. Bring on fake fall!
