Dear Fall

Dear Fall,

I know I complain about Portland weather a little bit. Or a lot. Okay - I complain about Portland weather about 8 months out of the year. And then I spend a good portion of the rest of the year complaining about how the weather is GOING to be when the good weather ceases to be. I know I do that.

However, today I want to appreciate the weather. And I want to do it during a season of (somewhat) darkness. And what I wanted to appreciate was you.

Actually - let's back track a second. Because - when I think about it - I'm not really appreciating the weather. Not really. I'm appreciating the season of you, and not necessarily the weather that comes with you. Because, to be honest, I don't really appreciate you weather. I don't like the rain all that much. I don't like the darkness. I don't like the slowly disappearing hours of sunlight.

But I DO like the prettiness. That's right, Fall - you're pretty. REAL pretty. That combination of changing leaves with sunlight shining through post-stormy clouds . . . Now that's something beautiful. Real beautiful. I mean - there are times during the summer when it's really pretty. I love a 9 o'clock sunset as much as anybody. But there's no season that is as pretty as you, Fall.

And I can't really explain it to those who don't understand. The fiery combination of reds and yellows and browns and oranges in the trees overhead when driving down the street. Seeing various muppet-head fiery shrubs and groomed maples in lawns. The beautiful wash of colour on the streets after the leaves have fallen. It all just goes so well with the dramatic you weather.

When winter rolls in, it's all the same. A whole lot of darkness and gray. Summer is constant sunshine (which I love, of course, but it's not exactly "dramatic"). And then there's you. A battle between yellow sunlight and rainstorms. Dark, shiny wet streets gleaming in the late-day sun through a brief cloudbreak. Patchy clouds rolling back in and blasting us with rain. You is a time of high contrast - a black and white and gray world set off by random bursts of you leaves and passing sunshine. About once a day during you I find myself catching my breath and thinking, "That's beautiful."

And it's time that I acknowledged that publicly. Because I so often complain about the weather or get all dark and gloomy about how it's going to be. But I need to live in the now for a second and just appreciate what you brings. And just admit that I enjoy you. I LIKE wearing vests. I really do. And I like playing football in weather that's cool enough to keep me from feeling my skin burn and dry out while running around.

Not to mention how much I love watching college football - which occurs throughout the you. And it's actually not a bad time to be doing the job I do. Things are slowly shifting as I type this, but the kids still have a little bit of appreciation and seriousness during this time, and they aren't as rowdy and angry as they will definitely get come winter.

You're the beautiful calm before the storm, so to speak, and I appreciate that. Time to catch my breath before the true darkness sets in. And I thank you for giving me that opportunity.

Yes, thank you, Fall, for the transition you bring. Thanks for easing me into the dark times. Thank you for the beautiful sights and inspiration.

No thank you for raking.

But I'll take it to get the rest.

Enjoying Vest-Weather for a Few More Days,
CVT