We're deep into October now and there has been a shift. Where we were teetering on autumn we are now inside it. The mornings are dark. The natural light no longer waking me as I drag myself out of bed into the cool air of the bedroom, quickly putting on woollen socks and my trusty old dressing gown before padding downstairs to fill the kettle and assemble packed lunches with slumberous eyes. Then, with steaming tea, I sneak back into bed, the darkness all around where just a few weeks before I would stare out the window at the morning sky. This is now not possible as the light is yet to return. Return it does, of course, but much later. I can get as far as the beach now before the sky finally changes and we have a new day once again.<\/p>
I welcome this season with open arms, it's been a long time coming after summer drought and heatwaves, even September was more like the summer. Would it ever end? I love sunshine as much as most but the constant nagging anxiety of climate change isn't something to adore. Of course, this embedding of autumn only hides climate breakdown, a little, bringing some comfort that the season has turned, as it should and I can breathe a small sigh of relief.<\/p>
Our organic veg box delivery shows the signs of seasonal change with beautiful squashes, looking good enough to decorate the windowsill whilst we decide on recipes. Our garden has mostly slowed down. The blackberries are picked and in the freezer, all the apples are eaten. The harvest of the latter was sparser and of much poorer quality with our tree stressed by heatwaves and drought. Many apples rotted on the tree or dropped as it attempted to reduce water demand due to the scarcity of rain.<\/p>
Thankfully rain has returned, greening the lawn and bringing it back to life with no help from us. We leave it to it's own devices and it has recovered with the greying of skies and the downpour of rain.<\/p>
Little pockets of sunshine remain, some days. At the bottom of our garden I can sometimes still be found, mug of tea in hand, reading or resting and taking in these last rays for I know the garden will soon be in a perpetual winter shade. For now, the clouds pass over blocking the sun but often blow over, allowing a little reminder of summer, though cosy jumpers required, until the turning of the day cast it in shadow beckoning the warmth of the house once more. I've started retreating to where the sun floods through the living room window at this time to write or design. I've been creating cards, Autumn Trees and Earth designs have been added to my previously sparse card collection. It's slowly building as I pour a bit more energy into a shop which now looks a bit more complete.<\/p>
And of course, the dark skies return much quicker with each passing day. The perfect excuse to cosy up in warm clothing or just get to bed early and sleep a bit more. Just what I need after those bright skies of summer, a blanket of darkness to rest beneath.<\/p>
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