It’s fr*&^%$#@! 95 degrees in West Los Angeles (over 100 degrees in the Valley) today (October 1st) and I find myself daydreaming about the Fall Season in New England where I spent my first 22 years…
Sure it’s actually quite typical for October to be really crazy hot in Southern California. Hence, the idea of fire season. This is usually the month when the fires can get really bad out here. The vegetation HAS HAD ENOUGH. And so have the people. It’s a wonder the people don’t melt and boil as well. The best part about the temperature is that the sun goes down earlier and it USUALLY (I feel like I’m jinxing us all in LA) cools off pretty well at night. USUALLY.
But the biggest tease these days is the Internet and the access to all these social sites where those in cooler climates are praising the Fall Season and how “lovely” it all is. I find myself drooling all over the wonderful pictures of the colorful foliage and wanting to jump in the pictures to get just a taste of it. I wish I had appreciated it more when I was there for 22 years. Funny how that works…
So while I sit here in my apartment with the AC at full blast so that my MS doesn’t go completely crazy on me (been feeling the heat quite a bit today even with the AC) and the blinds closed so I can live in a cool dark cave so that my lupus doesn’t go wacky on me (joints are hurting), I thought I’d come up with this list and fantasize away. We were back in New Hampshire/Massachusetts a year ago at this time and it was wonderful. I really thoroughly enjoyed myself and was feeling quite bouncy. I even found myself frolicking in the colorful forest. I was completely invigorated!
So here’s my Fall Daydream Drool List:
*colorful leaves
*dark red leaves
*lighter red leaves
*yellow leaves–almost golden
*orange leaves
*orangey/red leaves
*half-colored leaves still changing
*even the green leaves that have yet to change
*the breeze through the leaves
*watching the leaves fall from the trees
*the crisp cooler temperatures
*breathing in the fresh cool air
*wearing snuggly clothes
*cooler chilly temperatures but it’s not too cold and freezing
*hot cocoa
*hot coffee–pumpkin flavored coffee and other fall yummy flavors
*hot tea
*hot apple cider
*the steam rising from the hot cups of yumminess
*pumpkins of all shapes and sizes–not melting like they would out here on my balcony right now
*gourds of all shapes and sizes
*decorative corn
*special jams and jellies
*mums
*maple syrup
*maple candy
*maple donuts
*picking apples
*cider donuts
*pumpkin french toast
*pumpkin pancakes
*pumpkin baked yumminess
*cinnamon everything
*the way the sun light shines through the trees and the colorful fall foliage
*scenic drives to see the fall foliage
*lots of hills to drive through
*exploring the countryside looking at the fall foliage
*my eyes watering from looking at the deep vibrant colors
*country stores
*caramel apples
*caramel yumminess in general
*scarecrows
*Halloween decorations
*Halloween festivities
*FROLICKING through the fall foliage wherever I am
*sometimes even when it’s raining in the fall
*the bright clear days and the blue blue sky
*the sunsets–although we do get some pretty good fall sunsets here in LA too
*hayrides
*yummy fall smelling candles–yeah sure I can get them here but there’s something about burning them when it’s not HOT
*NOT having to turn the AC on
*sweaters
*scarves
*sitting and watching the leaves blow in the wind
*lakes surrounded by beautiful fall foliage
*a big field surrounded by beautiful fall foliage
*baking baking baking
*the festive feeling in the air
*the wood stove smell
*all of the wonderful FAIRS!
*eating too much yumminess at the Fairs
*bread bowl soups
*seeing my breath as I breathe outside
*the fall colors in general
And I could go on and on. I know I’m missing A LOT of stuff. Do you want to add anything? Please feel free to do so. I’d love to see what you have to share. And if you have any fall pictures you want to share, please please please post them here! I’d love to see them. I can’t get enough!
Nahleen.com: On the Inside Looking Out 
I think this is the warmest summer, now fall, in my 13 summers/falls living in L.A.
We’ve been in LA almost 13 years too and I think I agree with you. It’s been rough that’s for sure.
Reading through your blog makes me smile, makes me want to hug you, because I remember your visit last fall so well. And how great you did and how much you loved being here and enjoying all those fall happenings that quite often we take for granted. But I have to tell you that the foliage is just starting here and I can see the bright yellows and reds are just starting to evolve. So if you hurry really really fast and get over here, you’ll be just in time to see it all happen. My most favorite time of the year for sure. Do wish you were here and would so love to just snatch you up for a brief time so you could relish the cool fall air and all the beautiful leaves.. It would do your body good….
love and miss you boatloads,
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie Mommy-in-Law,
Thank you so much for your sweet message. Yeah, I wish we could be back there too right now. I miss the area and all of you bunches, especially since it was 100 degrees today…Yucky. I remember the visit so well too and my body sure did love it. And yes, I think I took the New England fall very for granted when I lived there. I loved it but I didn’t appreciate how special it all is. Enjoy the wonderful colorful foliage. I hear it’s really great this year so far. Better than the past few years…
love and miss you boat loads too (now how big are these boats??),
Nahleen
(your Best Daughter-In-Law–oh wait, there’s only one…)