I have what I think might be an alarming and confusing message for you all. It is not fall yet.
It is not fall.
So just take your hand off the pumpkin spice latte and BACK AWAY.
That's right. Keep going. Back to your lemonade.
Honestly. Why are we all such dingbats about this? We dream of summer, long for summer, write poems about summer but once it's here we wish it away. By August we're idiotically thinking think You Know What? I really like flannel. I want to put on my damn flannel. Why, WHY, WHY summer, are you holding my flannel hostage. Then around the middle of August people snap and start lighting apple pie candles and wrapping themselves in sheepskin rugs while wearing flip flips.
If you're still scratching mosquito bites it's too early to light a pumpkin spice candle.
It's going to come. Actual fall. On September 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere as a matter of fact. But that's just a date. Fall might come earlier or it might come later.
I understand pumpkin themed retail displays have muddied the waters a bit and many of us have actually lost our natural, seasonal compass.
So in case you're a bit iffy on when it's actually fall here are some tips.
10 No-Fail Signs It's Fall.
- Tik Tok is filled with shots of people pretending they're happily picking apples even though they just had a huge fight in the car on the way to the orchard and never even thought of picking apples before the invention of social media.
- Costco is sold out of all their Christmas wrapping paper.
- You drop kick the hanging baskets you stopped watering 2 months ago into the garbage.
- You dip into your pajama drawer for the warm ones and they have that drawer smell.
- You stop shaving above the knee. And below the knee. Bully through the week of itchiness then happily revel in skin that feels like a plushie for 6 months.
- You start to forget your neighbours' names again.
- You spend 4 nights in a row Pinning wintery craft things like whimsical cross stitch patterns you'll never actually do because - binge watching season.
- Your hair is staticky and you broke a nail making the bed.
- You realize yet again, you look dorky, not adorable in hats.
- Black nail polish.
O.K. so now that you feel more comfortable in recognizing the season of fall on your own, you can enjoy this last long weekend of the summer.
Enjoy it, do something summery, eat a hamburger, skateboard on a boardwalk, get sprayed by a skunk.
Just back away from the pumpkin spiced latte.
Have a good last long weekend of the summer.
I’m dying laughing over here. 1) I have recently started wearing hoodies and flip flops. 2) Everything you said is correct! I’m personally not a fan of pumpkin spice but its season keeps getting longer and that’s just…unseasonable. Thanks for another great (and true) post!
Currently in a sweatshirt and bare feet! ~ karen
This bit of photo shop seemed appropriate.
100% complete agreement. I thrive in the summer. I need summer while it's summer then I'll skip merrily into fall and leaves and pumpkin spice and flannel.
I've just planted lettuce, spinach, kale (I know you don't like kale), and Asian greens, so although I know this to be a "fall garden," it still feels like summer in the garden. The sun is shining! Things are growing! Lately, however, I admit to enjoying my Assam tea hot rather than iced in the morning. It's chilly out there!
I have a very disturbing message too:
I use pumpkin spice mixes ALL YEAR LONG! 😁 Lol!
Ps. Made a pumpkin bread / cake the other day (mum had leftover pumpkin from her special cookies and we didn't want it to get wasted). Sadly it is long gone. But it was gooooood! 😆
So I guess hot apple cider is out of the question. lol!
Yes, stop those thoughts right now! ~ karen
The answer to this is Iced Apple Cider. 😉
Your welcome. 😁
I was horrified to see masses of pumpkins for sale at farm stands on my way into Maine. The vast orange wall of squash meant summer was over long before August. I’m going with those being plastic Halloween decorations, or possibly someone’s hoard from last year.
In re skunks: 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, a dash of dish soap. Pour it on, work it through and rinse it off. Truly magic!
Oh, I know! I keep a stash of hydrogen peroxide on hand for exactly this. Hasn't happened so far. ~ karen!
Even easier, antiseptic mouthwash, recommended by my vet and 100% works.
Love your article! Since I live in Texas & it's still really warm, I'm still enjoying lemonade. The thought of pumpkin spice, fall decor & baking just isn't appealing yet. Maybe I'll be ready for it all by October!
Amen and Hallelujah! Yer preachin’ to the choir sista!
DO NOT GET SPRAYED BY A SKUNK. Also, do not let your dog get sprayed by a skunk. Ever.
I think/hope you were kidding.