It’s nearly Autumn, and I doubt I’m the only one in Hotlanta looking forward to summer fading into Fall. Temps are cooling and routines are commencing, with schools back in session and residents home from their escape-the-heat vacations.
Not that the city hasn’t remained impressive all season. Over my first summer here, I’ve been surprised to see that trees stay green and lush, some blooming with bright pink and purple flowers. Rivers are flowing, hawks stick around, and shade is much easier to come by than in other cities, especially along the multitude of urban trails, where many of us spend our time. “The City in a Forest” is one of Atlanta’s nicknames because of its dense tree canopy – the highest percentage in the nation.
Nevertheless, summer here can feel oppressively hot, and there’s nothing like real seasons to connect you to the present moment and not take things for granted. Like Autumn! (Satire intended.)
Back home in SoCal, seasons are so mild they’re almost indistinguishable. The temperate, nearly always-sunny weather is a big draw for some people. Out East, seasons are more pronounced. Fall is colorful and refreshing, Winter is freezing, Spring makes you feel like you’re born again, and Summer is damn hot – and humid and lazy-making down here in the South.
Autumn is my favorite season since I can remember, always conjuring up memories of crinkling leaves under my happy bike wheels, cardigan-clad walks on crisp evenings, never enough Miles Davis, and an overall feeling of clarity. But while eager merchants are already selling Halloween skeletons and pumpkin decor, we all know we’re not quite there yet. We’re in the September transition – an underrated in-between time to savor.
I feel this most in colors. August to me is yellow gold, deep orange, caramel, and poolside aqua blue; whereas September is mustard gold, raspberry, indigo evenings, and rich moss green – beautiful colors and experiences we’ll miss if we’re lost in the back-to-reality motions and future Fall planning.
So before we enter the season of Halloween Orange and Chimney Red (Tom Waits reference), I thought I’d drop on here to say: first, Hello! I haven’t posted for two months because the humidity made this West Coast native too lazy to write, but now I’m back. I have an upcoming season of fulfilling work projects and regional travel, and I look forward to sharing what I learn along the way. Aspects of organic farming, landscape architecture, outdoor recreation, and other topics will be arriving in your inbox soon.
And second, let’s bask in this special period of time before it’s gone, because, as we all know, it goes by fast. The end of last September brought a hurricane named Helene to those of us in Appalachia. Before that, the month was stunning – the golden sun illuminating the riverbanks and mountains of the Carolinas and beyond. Nature feels equally captivating this year, and I intend to keep soaking up every day as it comes. I hope you’ll join me, wherever this finds you.
May September’s colors remind us that transition itself is a season worth reveling in. I’m wishing everyone a wonderful month ahead.