Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Labor Day Weekend Tradition


Every Labor Day weekend I put up summer and get out fall. At least, that's the plan. I do put up summer decorations, and I do get fall things out, but I can't seem to get excited about decorating. I've always loved fall with a harvest theme-- pumpkins, scarecrows, mums, and I love crows! I love fall colors. I love cinnamon candles. I love molasses sugar cookies. However, for some reason, I can't seem to let go of summer. I don't know why. This was a hot dry summer. And to be honest, my flowers didn't look their best. I was dealing with 2 new beds, more sun than I have ever had, and even my perennial beds along side of the house didn't do very well. So you would think I would be more than ready to head straight forward into fall and cooler weather.
I have a little book of Summer Meditations by Bernie Sheahan. Perhaps the last chapter in this book sums it all up for me:
" I dread this time of year as summer draws to a close...I hate it...I feel that familiar sense of summer's end, playtime is over...I don't want to! Don't make me! I want summer to last and last. I want to take another trip to the beach...I want to stay in shorts and a t-shirt. I haven't finished my summer reading list...I didn't eat enough ice cream or drink enough lemonade or spit as many watermelon seeds as I wanted. Summer is always too short for me. But I'll let it go, eventually, and embrace once again the particular pleasures of fall. I'm just glad I had one more summer, aren't you? I'll carry its memories with me into the next season."

13 comments:

misterreereeder said...

It is great how you are using quotes in your blogs. Thet are great. Yeah summer is destined to really end.

Anonymous said...

That passage from your book is a wonderful way to express the end of one season & the beginning of another. Your Fall Decorations look quite festive!

Anonymous said...

You're one of the few gardening Texans I know of who isn't ready for summer to end. ;-) That's optimistic of you to "put out fall" already. I always hold out for October 1st, though the kids beg for it to go up in September. But I can't get in the mood for scarecrows and pumpkins until the weather breaks a bit.

JenningsJunk said...

I have mixed feelings. I look forward to your fall foliage and decorations. I'm looking forward to the Dallas Arboretum switching to it's fall decorations. But, I am so not a cool/cold weather gal. I love the sun and heat. I know, I know, we still have several more weeks to go. But the weather change is coming :-/

Meadowview Thymes said...

mr--I love quotes, and I love this meditation book. It got some really "good stuff" in it! :)


pgl--that end of the book page says it all for me right now. I hate leaving summer (still not sure why) but do enjoy fall decorations and cooler weather.


Pam--I know--I am just crazy! I'm so tired of droopy plants, but there is something so relaxing and lazy about summer that I just love and hate to leave.


jj--I am going to the Arboretum first chance I get, which will be at least 2 weeks! I love, love mums and can't wait to see theirs!
I like cool weather, but like you, I am not a cold weather person.

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

I know how you feel. It is a sad time for me. I love summer vacation and I will miss the nice long days. I am also looking forward to rain!! So I know its good to see Fall here. I haven't put up the fall decorations yet...(-: Maybe later in the week.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hi Cindee--I wondered how you felt about leaving summer. I know how hot it has been there, but I also know you have the summers off and fall means back to work for you. I work in the summer, but have Fridays off and it is so easy and casual--it's not too much like working. :) We'll say goodbye to our summer though and enjoy the splendor fall can bring.

Susie said...

I have mixed feelings about summer ending. Fall is usually my favorite time of the year but that means winter will be coming on and I am not a cold weather person.

I will definitely miss my little hummers. They are definitely putting on weight as they look like little golf balls with wings.

I will miss seeing my butterflies as well. And of course, not to mention all the wonderful colors of blooms.

I won't miss the mosquitoes, no sireee!

Anonymous said...

Say it isn't so...I want another three weeks of summer! I am just going to have to pretend!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Susie I think you and I share the same thoughts. I am not a winter person. I don't like cold weather, and I hate seeing everything dead and brown. That's why I plant pansies--I need color. I'll miss the hummers, but I do enjoy the golden finches that visit in the winter. I feed the birds all year long.


layanee--glad to hear someone is sharing my thoughts! It just came and went too fast!! Of course here in Texas, we will have that heat for more than 3 more weeks, so it will still seem like summer. :)

marmee said...

that says it all. i love summer but i love the fall too . like your book said i am thankful to have had this one more summer.

Aunt Debbi/kurts mom said...

We have real fall weather here in N Tx right now. I love this first cool down. Mostly because our late summer heat is a real killer. I do miss spring every year.

Meadowview Thymes said...

marmee--You're right. We need to be thankful for each season and grateful for the memories.


Debbi--Hasn't this little cool spell spoiled us! I know the heat will return, but maybe not in full force. I think spring is my favorite season.. It is so exciting with everything turning green and budding! Ummmm, can't wait for spring! :)