Firewood and Fall

Our front yard next to the driveway (such as it is) is filled with a cord of firewood. We moved the leftover wood from last season into the garage, and now we must find time to go out there and stack the haphazardly-dumped pile neatly under a tarp in the backyard. Last winter, we went through about three cords of firewood, so this is only the beginning. Of course, since we are preparing for winter, like the squirrels who are clearly delighted with the acorn bounty this year (was it only last year that there were too few acorns? does anyone else remember that?), we had an absolutely gorgeous, warm, summer-like day yesterday. It felt like such a gift, the 75-degree temperatures and the blue skies and the golden orange leaves - perhaps all the more so because I knew it wouldn't last! And sure enough, today it is back to the clouds and the 50 degree temps.

There are days here in RI that are incredibly gorgeous - clear and sparkling, in a way that differs from what I remember from Maryland. Maryland has a softness to the weather that just doesn't exist here. The lovely days in Maryland have a languidness that New England never has, even when it's hot and humid. Everything you've ever heard about "crisp" fall days is embodied here. It sounds cliche, but it really is true. Oh, and there are days here that are bone-chilling cold. Yep. But we'll come to those soon, I'm sure, no need to dwell on them now.

The photo at the top of the post is from Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, RI, where we went for a hike with friends on Columbus Day. It was a lovely crisp fall day, of course, and the scenery and company were great. The kids even found a little snake (who was luckily a little groggy from lying in the sun and didn't mind too much being picked up and handled and called "Bob"). Sometimes when we are out on a hike like that, I'm reminded of hiking with my Dad in the woods in Silver Spring, near Northwest Branch - he was the one who really liked being outside, who gave me an appreciation of nature and animals, who taught me not to be afraid to pick up crawly things, who knew the names of birds and trees. I hope that my children have inherited that at least a little bit.

I try to tuck away the beautiful, relaxing days like that so that they will lend a little bit of warmth later on, when I will really be missing them. I guess I try to do that with the memories I have of my Dad from before we lost him to FTD, too. I think that lots of people feel happier when they're communing with nature, the philosophy behind the Richard Louv-based movement, No Child Left Inside. (Which you should learn about, if you don't know it, and if you haven't read Last Child in the Woods, you should run right out and get a copy now.) But I digress. Surprise, surprise! Wishing you all a lovely fall day...time to go move the firewood.