Fall came suddenly to Alabama this year. Not with its usual tap-on-the-shoulder, whisper-in-your-ear hint of a chill in the air. But rather much more pronounced. Thanks to Tropical Storm Lee, temps went from 97 to 60 in what seemed like a day.
I spent the Labor Day weekend as I believe it was intended: avoiding labor at all costs. Monday night, I put on a sweatshirt and watched the sun set over the lake. The sky was perfect. The wind coming off the water brought a bit of a chill. I lingered for awhile, not wanting the summer to be over.
Of course, it'll be back. Probably this weekend. But now only in shorter bursts and smaller and smaller pieces until it's gone for good.
And so I spend the week trying to both embrace the coming autumn and cling to the fading summer.
I watch all the football I can -- even those ESPN high school games-- unable to get my fill. But I'd love to get to the beach for one final summer fling.
I turn off the AC and roll down the windows to go out in the crisp evening air. I think of putting on a long-sleeved shirt for the drive, but opt for a plain white t-shirt and one more day of flip-flops instead.
And somehow it all seems to suit me.
There's an easiness to the days now. Memories abound in even the slightest autumn breeze. But that's OK. I like remembering. And though the days are noticeably shorter, and I know the winter won't be far, it doesn't worry my mind. For now, for today, it seems OK to just be.
I leave you today with this most disturbing poll.
Rolling Stone's Ten Worst Songs Of The '90s:
10. 4 Non Blondes - "What's Up?"
9. Right Said Fred - "I'm Too Sexy"
8. Baha Men - "Who Let The Dogs Out?"
7. Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On"
6. Hanson - "MMMBop"
5. Chumbawamba - "Tubthumping"
4. Vanilla Ice - "Ice Ice Baby"
3. Billy Ray Cyrus - "Achy Breaky Heart"
2. Los Del Rio - "Macarena"
1. Aqua - "Barbie Girl"
Umm, apparently we have very different definitions of the word "worst." As I have at least half those on my iTunes. And I'm pretty sure I had a couple of those cassette singles.
Also, I'd completely forgotten about 4 Non Blondes! Just went and downloaded it. Thanks, Rolling Stone.
"Lately I've learned how to listen, for a sound like the sun goin' down. In the magic the morning is bringin', there's a song for the life I have found..."
Here in SoCal it's been over 100 the past few days with a slight reprieve (80s) for the next week. I wish we had some cooler weather.
ReplyDeleteAgreed- loving the weather- feels like football is in the air! Hard to believe it was 100 last weekend in T-town.
ReplyDeleteAlso. Most of that list IS TERRIBLE. But. Hanson? Four Non-Blondes? I don't think so- they're awesome. MMMBop is one of my all-time favorite songs!
#9,8.3 and 1 will always have a special place in my heart, the kids and I used to sing along at the top of our voices to them, on the school run ('course they'd all deny it, now)!
ReplyDeleteI hear what you say about squeezing every last drop from the summer, come the winter my dog walks at the beach often threaten to blow him half-way out across the Irish Sea.
This was a very beautiful post until you got to Rolling Stone's poll. I could diss all the songs on the poll but in the spirit of friendship....Please tell me you don't have "Achy breaky Heart" or anything by Hanson or==the list is endless
ReplyDeleteMy niece used to love a lot of the music. Of course she was 5 when the decade ended--and rebelling against her parents love of folk-rock. They teach em early in pre-school now :)
Cap'n John - I'd say that's a small price to pay for 75-degree days in January.
ReplyDeleteCami - I'm too sexy for this comment... too sexy for this comment :)
Shrinky - I had the cassette single for #9. And anytime I hear #1, it gets stuck in my head like nothing else.
Pia - Well, I didn't have Achy Breaky Heart. But, uh, I can't say the same for Hanson :)
Los Angeles got our summer late. While the rest of the country was sweltering in June and July, we were enjoying overcast 75 degree days. It wasn't until the Tropical Storms and Hurricanes came to the rest of the country that we got our heat. And we'll probably keep the heat until mid October.
ReplyDeleteI'm not ashamed to say that out of that RS Top 10, I have 8 of the songs. I dislike 4 Non Blondes so naturally I don't have their song and while Achy Break Heart is catchy, I refuse to give that family any money so not buying it.
The move from summer to fall is less dramatic in Texas as compared to where I grew up.
ReplyDeleteLife is sort of easy and breezy right now even though summer is fading.
Enjoy the days of in-between and all the football you can get.
I came here from "Graven Images". I think I used to see you at "Lentula Vitae".
ReplyDeleteGood to see you still around.
I think "I'm too sexy for my shirt" is a good song! It's hilarious!
I just came back to the US via Iceland and Greenland--it really was fall up there and it feels like I'm back in summer... Good list Rolling Stones!
ReplyDeleteI love autumn: the turning leaves; wearing boots; the cool air and warm sunshine; conkers; squirrels... although this might be a slightly romanticised version of autumn... I think actually it's just a lot of rain and sogginess, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAchy Breaky is only at #3?!? They were being generous (although I dig that song).
ReplyDeleteConfession time: I was kind of routing for Penn State. :-)
Xinh - We must have fairly similar music tastes. Well, except for #7. I never could stand that song.
ReplyDeletePennyCandy - Your fall is probably a lot like ours. It only lasts about a week, maybe two in a good year. I try and enjoy it whilst I can.
MarkD60 - Yes, I remember you from Graven Images. Always good to see a long-time blogger, well, still blogging.
Jeff - Why am I guessing that what you call "fall" I would call "winter."
Welcome back. You spend anytime in Scandinavia? I think that's where Aqua is from. Maybe you could've heard "Barbie Girl" live.
J Adamthwaite - It has its messy days, as any season, I suppose. But that ideal autumn day, when you can catch one, is hard to beat.
Murf - The song was OK, but I think the mullet was what elevated it to that next level.
I think this decades-old grudge you hold against Nick Saban has reached an unhealthy level :)
Just think how much worse the grudge would be if I was actually a Michigan State fan. :-)
ReplyDeleteAn who could ever root against a sweet little old man like JoePa?
ReplyDeleteI hope summer gives you a few more kisses Bone.
ReplyDeleteThat list is certainly a mixed bag. :)
ReplyDeleteI just dropped by to thank you for your fun contribution to last week's Limerick-Off. I just posted a new one. Hope to see you there! :)
Bone; I am not sure that I will see or feel fall this year. Our temps are back above 100. Today it was 106.
ReplyDelete