While October in the Pacific Northwest is stunning — the amber-hued sumacs, the Japanese maples turning the color of cabernet — I am not a fall girly. Despite my eternal cynicism, I am truly a daughter of spring. Something about that first warm afternoon and the promise of better days to come makes spring my most beloved season.
Fall is the opposite for me. The good times are over. Winter is coming. Prepare for the dreary desperation of waking up in the dark and getting off work in the dark. Stock up on COVID tests and Motrin and Tamiflu, and pray that your hand sanitizer is stronger than whatever germs are living on the one-million surfaces your child has touched today. No pumpkin spice latte or cozy sweater can fix that.
Since having Sloane, that end-of-summer ache has gotten even heavier. Every season with a little kid feels like one you’ll never get back. This was the summer she learned to ride a bike, danced at the pool party for hours, and still wanted to hold my hand on evening walks. Next summer she’ll be taller and braver, and a little less mine. So while I may love a hot latte on a chilly morning, I’m packing away the swimsuits a little slower this year, and counting down to spring when we can begin again.
+ Like a true elder millennial, this video from Michelle Branch’s tour gave me all the feels. (Facebook)
+ Speaking of feels, a tortoise flat for <$175 was a lightning fast ‘add to cart.’
+ 10 Menopause Myths Experts Can’t Stand. (NYT, gift link)
+ Smitten with Aritizia’s high-collar blazer and structured wide leg pants. Fab.
+ This peanut chicken is on my ‘to make’ list for this week. (RecipeDive)
+ Ann Taylor made the ultimate dress up-dress down plaid blazer.
+ 7 Questions to Ask Yourself When You Don’t Know What You Want. (Instagram)
+ Lands’ End makes a water-resistant mat for your dog’s bowl that is a must.
+ This subscription podcast summarizes #TradWife denialism movement with laughs. (Maintenance Phase)
+ My fluctuating hormones made me change deodorant. #perimenopause
+ Make your bed and be ruthless; keeping a clean house. (The Guardian)
+ Don’t wear this sweatshirt, then pick a fight at a PTA meeting. Not that I would.
+ Bought an inexpensive treadmill and plan to incline walk all winter. (Self)
+ Need a basic work dress? This faux wrap (petite) and this short sleeve sheath are worth a look.
+ Planning a ribbon ‘Christmas Wall’ as an easy-ish decoration idea. (Pinterest)
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I had to put down my 15-year-old dog, whom my ex and I adopted at 3 months of age, on Sunday. I am dealing with the grief while working and now being sick this week. The dog bowl mat link made that all come running back. It also reminded me of your puppy loss. Sending everyone out there love!
Maintenance Phase is a solid follow, and their subscriber episodes eventually make it into the main feed. If you’re looking for suggestions while waiting for the TradWife one to become free, might I suggest “The 10,000 Steps Myth” and “Growing Up Richard Simmons”?
The Richard Simmons ones are good, especially if you’ve seen the RS documentary.
Thank you Abra for speaking truth to power about Fall. I am 100 percent with you…I loathe fall! The idea of winter coming and the death of the trees, the loss of green and everything bare and brown, ugh, it isn’t me. So soon I will be slipping on ice and waking in the dark, coming home in the dark…when are people going to realize spring is the REAL happy season?!
check out this book “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times” by British author Katherine May. This helped me reframe how I think of winter and how I can use it to my benefit.
Team #notfall. I’ve always said it is the WORST season because it’s the impending doom of winter.
So, when I lived in the PNW, fall meant the rain, cold, dark days were actually already there. It was demoralizing. Summer was never enough for me, I feel like by the time it warmed up enough for shorts, the days were already getting shorter and the temps were dropping again.
Now that I live in Georgia, fall is a very welcome break from the heat and humidity (and mosquitos) – like I wore a sweater today! The inside life of the past 4 months has come to an end and we can take daily walks and playground trips till May. But same same with the darkness – I am not a darkness at 5 pm kinda girl. Winter solstice is my favorite, it means slowly but surely the light comes back!