The Changing of the Clothes

I like the changing of the clothes season.  Oh, I know.  There is the Changing of the Guard.  And, the changing of the seasons.  People like those.  But, I like the changing of the clothes.  In fact, I love the changing of the clothes.

The temperature cools a bit.  Maybe, it snows or rains.  If the temperature drops toward freezing, the hoses have to come off of the outdoor faucets to keep them from freezing.  Some conscientious gardeners cover viable plants with light tarps … and take off the tarps in a day or so when the temp returns to autumn normal.

We begin to see the real disappearance of our favorite flower stalks.  All of the tomatoes are picked and canned or stored.  The rest of the zucchini go to friends and relatives – whether they want the squashes or not.

Animals put on their winter woolens, just like we do.  If they are fortunate, they have added a little weight to make it through the winter.

It is at this time of year that Bryan, my helper and friend, cleans all of the floor fans.  Because my home does not have air conditioning, I use fans strategically placed to cool the rooms.  It takes all day for him to thoroughly clean them.  Air pressure in the can.  Dust cloth.  Water on a cleaning rag.  And, when they are all cleaned, covered with plastic bags for protection from winter dust, and stored somewhere in the basement, his work is done for that day.

Cars are readied for the coming season.  Will the current antifreeze protect the engine?  Is there enough tread on the tires for the entire snowy season?  We spend a lot of time getting ready for autumn with winter close behind.  Winter in my state is my favorite time of year.  Cold.  Freezing, actually.  Snow.  My favorite season, but I must confess, I don’t have to work out in the cold.  If I did, it probably would NOT be my favorite season.  Rather, I can stay in my nice warm house, beside the wood stove, out of the cold, and enjoy the cold from inside.

Changing of the clothes is the best of all.  Summer, here, is always way too hot for long pants or long sleeves.  All summer, I wear shorts and tee shirts that read, “Instant Human.  Just Add Coffee.”  Cool weather sends me downstairs to the closet where, last spring, I stored all of my clothes that are long pants and have long sleeves.  Now, at the time of the changing of the clothes, wearing sweaters is wonderful.  Long warm pants are wonderful.  I can joyfully bring them upstairs to install them in my closet.

And, finally, I get to wear my “winter” jewelry.  Necklaces of chains, olive wood from Israel strung on leather, and buckeyes also strung on leather.  Buckeyes from a friend’s tree, made by him into necklaces, years ago.  Stones set in silver; or with no setting at all, like the coral-covered, white seashell that simply hangs around my neck on its chain.  It’s a great conversation starter.  Who wears an unpolished rock as a necklace?  From the sea?

Changing to autumn and winter clothing is something to look forward to.  It’s personal.  It’s exhilarating.  It’s glorious.  And, I may be the only person on earth who celebrates.

 

Be safe and be well.

 

The Cranky Crone

 

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