While sitting in my car on the commute home from work, in the long parking lot known as 422, the worst road in the Philadelphia area, I glanced quickly at the dashboard and noticed that the outside temperature was 96 degrees.
They say L.A. traffic is bad……………Route 422 is worse!
And it didn’t surprise me because we are in the throes of summer. I honestly think that people forget that summer—especially late summer is generally very hot.
It’s hot and sweltering and I love it!!
It’s my kind of weather.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a four-season kind of gal. Fact is, I love the seasons because each one has its own personality and each season has a special quality.
I’ll take those four seasons–in due time!
Fall brings that first day of the year known as sweater weather. There is something so glorious about the air that changes from hazy, humid and hot into crisp, cool and breezy. It makes you feel alive and the colors of the foliage are vivid and bright and life is toasty.
And Fall brings Halloween. I’ll tell you, I loved making my kids’ Halloween costumes–it was my favorite thing about Fall!
In October 2015, Bonaparte’s Aunt Daniele passed away. I remember the Fall weather being much cooler in Paris than it was here and even though this is a photo of the cemetary in Montparnasse where she rests, this is one of my favorite photos of Fall.
Winter brings us The Holidays! My favorite time of year. Days are short and hot chocolate and tea are plentiful. Sleeping with a ton of blankets is very comforting and it’s time for the stick-to-your-ribs food and al those wonderful baked goods and good cheer and family and friends!
Best part of Winter! Christmas!!!!!
Worst part of Winter–having to put a hat and coat on just to run to the grocery store!
Snow may be pretty as it falls, but it turns into a slushy mess after a few days–and I miss sitting out on the deck!
But Holiday Dressing Up is fun!
And just when we’ve had enough of sleet, snow and ice, Mother Nature gifts us with Spring! I always get a happy, tingly feeling when I see that first sprinkling of trees in their Crayola Spring Green leaves! The sun is warming up, flowers are blooming, people are out and about and happy that winter is gone for another year.
And those April showers in the Spring–they don’t bother me that much becawz…..
The grass turns green, we get to wear our sneakers outside without socks and the flowers start to bloom!
And–as in Fall, it’s the other season where I can wear my beloved blazers as outwear!
When Spring grows up, she turns into Summer. And she’s one hot ticket! Now’s the time to get rid of the shoes and dress your feet with sandals and flip flops. It’s the time when Life’s a Beach! No coats, sweaters or panty hose needed—its time to bare those limbs!!
Ohhhhhhhhhh summer! Boats and the sea…
Tans (fake, of course) and dresses you can slip into..
And Sandals…
And bare feet…
And resting beach feet!!
Oh yes. It’s true. I thoroughly enjoy each season for what it means to me. So why, then, must we rush summer? The other three seasons never seem rushed to me. I’ll hear people saying that they can’t wait until Winter is over but not with the ferocity that they will complain about their hatred for summer’s end.
Why? Why can’t we just let summer be summer? In three weeks, Autumn will be a knockin’ at the door and guess what? It’s still gonna be hot outside!!! My cool/cold weather clothing will be packed away until the first true frost!!
Being home from work and nursing a cold yesterday, I read in the news that it was day that Starbucks released its infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte. Sorry folks, but I won’t be ordering one any time soon. I’m still in the Iced Tea/Lemonade frame of mind because it’s still summer! I don’t even like pumpkin spice and everywhere I go from here on in, I’ll have to smell that artificial scent of pumpkin and those disgusting cinnamon-scented pinecones that give me headaches!
As much as I love Starbz (my “special” name for Starbucks), I’ll stick to the Skinny Chai Latte. I can’t stand pumpkin anything!
Wegmans has Halloween candy on full display. Halloween is two months away—has anyone given any thought to the freshness of the sweets that’ll be passed out to the goblins, ghosts and superheroes? It would make me feel so much better if the candy wasn’t put out for the public until at the least, September’s end.
The worst thing is that if I bought this stuff now, I would eat it all!
Why is everyone talking about transition wardrobing when it’s this hot outside? I am certainly not ready to make the switch from sleeveless comfortable swing dresses to long sleeves? Please don’t even mention the heavily-textured fuzzy scarfs or boots yet. My feet are enjoying being sensually bare or enjoying the freedom of sandals.
Here are some Fall 2018 Trends–and speaking of rushing the season, it looks as though this photo was taken early last spring–check out the foilage. PS. I am happy that I’m not this trendy!
The flowers—or rather the flowers I haven’t killed yet are hanging out in the sunny atmosphere. My fake tanner is doing its job so pleasantly.
Our flowers are still enjoying the summer and they’ll stick around for a while!
As is the air conditioning in my car!
I would much rather be in an urban setting where I can take public transportation. But as long as the A/C in my car works–I’m happy!
Earlier I was aghast while watching QVC. Philosophy was selling some of their many bath and skin products and each one of them had a fall scent. Apple Cider and Cinnamon Buns among the products and the hostesses of the show were getting all orgasmic about the “fall” scents of Apples and Cinnamon and they could feel the cold. I would gather they were feeling the cold because the studio where they film is heavily air-conditioned.
I had to take a photo of this because the women on QVC were going all porno-crazy over the apple cider and cinnamon bun scent. Ugh. Stop. Just. Stop it already!!!!!
Why rush the season? Why rush life? I think one of the worst things that could have ever happened was sending children back to school in August. That’s one of the main culprits. After all, back in the day, we started school in September. After Labor Day.
You got that right. I’m a firm believer that kids should go back to school in September! Let ’em enjoy a full month of August!
People were still enjoying the last of the late summer days. That last week in August was a time when families used to go on vacations. Now they get ready to organize car pools for extra-curricular activities that the children will be taking part in. Why? Why can’t kids just be kids and enjoy the end of August doing nothing?
Get back to the beach one or two last times!!
What is the point of sending a child to school when it’s 90 something degrees outside? They should be swimming. They should be reading a book under a shade tree. They should be playing stick ball or continuing to play Capture the Flag or Manhunt at night.
The hot summer nights were made for neighborhood kids getting together for a game of Capture the Flag or more fun. Summer + Kids is a great equation!
This is the time when you can still enjoy the longer days and the hot weather. You don’t have to put a heavy layer of clothing on just to run to the store to buy bread or milk or something that you forgot. You aren’t stuck indoors because it’s too cold to go outside. You can enjoy the scents of the great outdoors such as grass that is still being mowed or the scent of the ground after a rainstorm!
Enjoy that summer rain the way this little ladybug does!
So, let’s not rush it. Enjoy the next three weeks as we bid farewell to Summer 2018 and welcome Fall!
Do the happy dance because soon it’ll be too cold to go outside dressed like this!
Speaking of seasons—how’s about a little Vivaldi??
Boy, I’m with you. IT IS STILL SUMMER!!!!!!! I’m in sandals and cool tops. No transition here in LA.
Sandy–great minds think alike!!!!!!!!!! LOL–my daughter is enjoying some really hot weather in Italy right now! She and her fiance are having a blast!!! XOXOXOXOXO
I live in Florida so we’ll be having summer fun for a couple more months. It’ll turn cooler around Halloween ( Christmas stuff is going out in stores here) then we’ll get to wear t-shirts & jeans maybe a light weight jacket early in the morning. Winter isn’t too cold here, although last year it snowed ( more like grainy
frozen water) but it was gone by mid day. Maybe a few of wks (total) below freezing at night & 40-50 daytime. March is starting to warm up 50-60 & around we go again.
I like spring & what passes for fall because the windows are open & breezes filter in. Ahhh.. no heat, no A/C & pretty colors too.
Hi Becca. My parents used to live in Florida and it was such a wonderful thing to visit them during Christmas because the weather was always so nice and warm. No heavy coats and just easy. You’re lucky that you get to live in a warmer climate!!! OXOXOOXXOXO
Thank you, Catherine! I completely agree. I love fall, winter, spring and summer. And as much as I don’t like the extreme heat, even worse is the long, dark days of winter. I’ll take the sun and the heat for a few more weeks, thank you. In the mean time, I’m not breaking out my cool weather clothes either. I have plenty of summer maxis and crop pants that still need to be worn!! Thanks for the encouragement to just enjoy these moments right now! Have a great weekend! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi Amy!!! You have a great weekend too! It started out very cool today so I baked but now, in the afternoon, it’s somewhat muggy and warm–I’m glad because we can eat dinner outside on the deck. In a few weeks it’ll be too cold to eat outside and the whole process of darkness early will begin again. Oh..I’m not taking any clothing out till the end of october!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
Costco has a bizarre mix of Halloween AND Christmas decor out as of two weeks ago…that’s jumping the gun! Hopefully we’ll have a warm Fall. It can cool down in October. I just loath that month….it starts getting dark here around 4:45 then 🙁 Without snow to reflect light it just seems so DARK and creepy. Only reason why I don’t mind snow. Spring and summer are my times!! Enjoy your summer while you can!
Hey Momcat! Ugh. I can’t stand when retail pushes the seasons on us. Thanksgiving is always lost in the throes of Halloween and Christmas. While I’m happy that Santa will be here in three months, I don’t want to rush it either!! Oh the dark–I hate leaving work when it’s dark out. My eyes suck so much!!! Definitely enjoying the remainder of summer!!! XOXOXOXOXO
I want summer to last for more months! I hate the winter. I do love the Fall collection, so I am looking forward to buying new clothes!
Hi Nancy!!! I just picked up a pair of pants that I had tailored. I’m shopping in my closet and after going through what I have, a new pair of navy pants, Cameron from J. Crew was ordered at 40% off! There’s nothing more that I need. I’m wearing last year’s stuff! Happy Shopping for the Fall clothes!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOX
I So agree with you. I hate this acceleration of time. We don’t have Halloween, but we have return to school, la Rentrée.
When the children were younger I bought the school stuff before we left on vacation end of July. I could get some done but most of it only came out mid August. Now all of the school stuff is out mid June, when most kids are still at school. My daughter doesn’t need all those things any more, as she is in secondary education, but she just groans and rolls her eyes!
Hi B! It’s crazy–right??? The school district where my kids attended in Pennington, NJ was pretty good about the back-to-school stuff. On the first day back, the kids would get a curated list of what was needed for the year, and then I hit the stores. I was that mother who got everything at the last minute because I didn’t want school to start!!! Luckily my kids were more on the ball than I was. Boy, I miss those days terribly!!! Hope your daughter has a great year ahead of her in school!!! XOXOXOXO
I despise summer, always have. I am not a hot weather person, as it makes it hard for me to breathe. I can always find a way to get warm when it is cold, but at a certain point in the summer, I am seriously not able to cool off and it makes me sick. This past Wednesday I had to take a sick day from work because of the heat.
Having said that, I try really hard to be in the moment, and try to enjoy the few things I like about summer like fresh tomatoes, fruit, and frozen drinks.
I think retail rushes things because it is the nature of retail. Just like publishers are planning in the spring for their winter issues, retailers are planning for the Next Big Thing. I tend to ignore it until I’m ready. I figure if most people can ignore homeless people on the street without guilt, I can ignore Halloween candy in the stores in August.
Hi Bridget. I can see why summer isn’t your best season. I have a sister who had terrible asthma as a child and the extreme heat and extreme cold affected her–she was in the hospital a lot!! For your sake, I hope it cools off soon!!
LOL. I like your thinking about if people can ignore homeless in the street without guild then you can ignore Halloween candy….
So true. I still feel bad for them though!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Great post!
Thank you!!!
I agree!! I have to say I’ve never tried the pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, and I doubt I ever will. I prefer my pumpkin in a PIE.
My favorite season of all is summer. I live in the Pacific NW so it’s quite nice around these parts because we don’t get that heavy humidity that other areas have. The other seasons are fine too, but I always just love summer so much. I think it’s because I like being warm, wearing shorts and sandals, etc. Have to admit though, by the time September rolls around, I’m ready to stop dealing with the garden!! LOL
Hi Vava! Ohhhh to live in an area with no heavy humidity must be heavenly!! It’s humid here until November and then once Spring arrives, it creeps in during May! I’m with you on the summer wear. I’m still in shock that today is September 1st!!! XOXOXOXOX
Beautiful posting CATHERINE which resonates with my thoughts about the seasons. An awareness of the seasons this year seems more relevant than in previous years.
My late Irish father used to say folks in England soon ‘went into winer & summer’ from his observations of fashions.
All your hairstyles look good CATHERINE but I especially like the shorter, lighter colour. I need a revamp with mine. 🙂
Hi Margaret! I got a chuckle out of what you said about your father’s saying. My dad would have been 89 today and I miss him terribly. But–we will celebrate his life with a toast this evening and like your dad, mine had some great sayings too. Thank you so much..I am digging the shorter lighter hair too!!! XOXOXOXO
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Much prefer Autumn over Summer, just as well as here in the UK we get plenty of rain etc in Summer (so much so that it hardly qualifies as summer most years). I love the long shadows and crisp cool air of an Autumn afternoon. Funnily enough we actually just had a summer this year- really hot etc with drought warnings and everything, and it just got too much after awhile. Thankfully its cooling down now. Can’t wait for the trees to go all golden and the leaves start to fall… that really is MY time of year.
Hey Ghost! You make Autumn sound so lovely!!! I will admit though, that it does feel nice with the crisp air hitting me but when it gets too extreme, then I’m not a fan!!!! XXOXOXO
Hey, Catherine! Yes, I like summer, also. The only trouble this year is the rain always seems to know the day I schedule to go to the pool to swim for an hour! Drat. But, that’s summer in NJ – either hot and humid, or hot and rainy! Keep smiling! (FYI – love the lighter, curly hairdo!)
Hi Jackie. Hey, those Jersey summers–my god when we lived in Pennington, it was basically a valley where the humidity just decides to hang out–for months. The Philly burbs aren’t much different. It’s so muggy today I can cut it with a knife!!!!!! Thank you–I’m glad that you like the lighter curls!!!! XOXOXOXO
Even tho I have always been a beach person having lived in Rockaway Park and. Virginia Beach, Fall is my favorite time of year. I have walked through Montparnasse cemetery, loved it, so quiet and peaceful. To me, walking through a cemetery should be done alone,