As I write this, it’s morning on October 2. Our heat is on, the fireplace as well – it’s gas, merely a click and we’re cozy. I’m sitting with a cup of hot tea and a cat curled up at my side. The candle I have burning is called “Hickory Hearth.”
I open with that because after over a year in Minnesota, I’m still in a daze that I live where there’s autumn. A for-real, honest-to-goodness, chilly air and crunchy leaves kind of autumn.
Yesterday I posted this on Feeding on Folly’s Facebook page:
(I hadn’t posted anything for awhile and Facebook gets nervous when you’re away too long. They fear you might be in danger of getting a life.)
I didn’t know anything about Humbert Wolfe when I found the poem (one of the most popular British authors of the 1920s, though “little read now”), but I liked the message of his lines: we’re done with one season, on with the next! Enjoy it while it’s here.
Some people have a hard time with that concept. If you mention how nice the day is, there’s always one guy who’ll say, “yeah, but it won’t last.”
A few days ago I was talking to a woman about how beautiful my maple tree is right now and she asked me if I was dreading my second winter in Minnesota. Honestly, I hadn’t even thought about it. I said no and she looked a little disappointed.
Maybe she fears for my sanity?
You know, I got in a discussion about this very topic with a woman at Costco. I overheard her talking to someone else and found out she recently moved here from Arizona. Imagine that!
We chatted and had a swell conversation. She asked me if people think I’m nuts for moving here and I said, “probably.”
She said, “I don’t have to guess. They tell me I’m crazy.”
Charming way to invite a newcomer, don’t you think?
What I don’t understand is how some people are so insistent that where they live is the worst. It’s almost like it’s a contest. “Who lives in the crappiest place?”
And you want to know something interesting? Apparently in the U.S., it’s a complete draw. Here’s proof: I was planning on uploading a bunch of images people have posted about weather in their states and I came across these:
I’m not making this up! The same graphic has been used for nearly every state!
And then Canada has to get in on the fun too:
This wasn’t the only one, either. There were several memes and graphics with the same picture and wording, just different state names. Also, several sites that said “15 Hilarious Jokes About *YourStateNameHere* Only a Resident Will Understand!” and all 15 jokes are pretty much the same.
I’m beginning to think I’m putting way too much thought into my posts. I try for something unique each time and apparently all I have to do is bitch about the weather.
Trouble is, I can’t bitch about it now when it looks like this…
I’ll just have to try and bitch about it another time.
Meanwhile, I’ll let you guys argue about who lives in the crappiest place. I’ll gladly let someone else win that contest.
Feeding on Folly 
You see, if the beautiful colors weren’t followed by snow, I’d move Minnesota.
Turns out I’m allergic to snow …
Poor guy. I’ve heard of that condition. Good thing you moved to a warm climate. Hate for you to break out due to snow rash.
Great photos! 🙂
I’m in the north at 63° N latitude. We have two seasons, one of which is much longer than the other: cold and bugs (and I don’t mean bunny). I’m glad that bugs is the short one.
I had to look it up: I’m at 45° N, so that’s quite a jump. No wonder when my family moved from Norway to this area, they found it almost balmy! 😀
So true. The grass is always greener somewhere else, right? I guess that’s why we have airplanes 😉
Good point!
We’re lucky the kids decided to stay in AZ. Gives us a great excuse to visit during the winter. 🙂
Always good to have friends and relatives in vacation spots to visit!
Exactly! We’re no dummies! 😉
I also see this recycling phenomenon with political memes, in the form of a Republican taking a Democrat-created bit and simply replacing the ridicule-target word “Republican” with “Democrat”, as if the glaring change in font of the swiped-out word isn’t obvious. (To be fair, I’ve also seen the reverse, but it’s usually the former.) Sometimes imitation is NOT a form of flattery.
And to nicely complement your theory that most people are convinced that they have the worst weather, ever: It was 95 degrees here today. In October. I’m sure you remember how that feels… 😉
Oh yes, I remember that very well. I remember one year having to turn the A/C on at Christmas. That felt so wrong!
Speaking about recycled jokes, I’m sure it won’t surprise you that churches do it too? I’ve heard the same one referring to Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, on down the line. The only ones who seem to get their own variety are the Catholics. Go figure!
Ah, I love my weather, and where I live. DO I have to apologise for that? 🙂
No apologies, ever! You know that saying, “bloom where you’re planted” — bloom away, Claudette!
🙂
I’m glad you are appreciating all 4 seasons in Minnesota! Gorgeous pics too 🙂
Yes, I am enjoying them very much. In truth, I enjoyed Phoenix too, but this is a fun change. 🍂🍁🍃
Enjoyed your beautiful fall colors. I’m going to go out and photograph the fall leaves in my yard as soon as the snow melts. I’m not complaining though. There is nothing like a new blanket of snow to muffle the sounds of the world around you. Very peaceful.
I hear about that storm! Ours will be coming soon, I’m sure, and I love the hushed quality of it as well. Also the cozy sweaters!
Fall was always my favorite time of year in Minnesota. Days less muggy and more crisp. Trees putting on their party clothes before hibernation season. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Yes, I’m coming to understand the need to appreciate it. It’s gorgeous, also fleeting.
Gorgeous fall colors, Christi. I remember last year, your neighbor raked your leaves. Hopefully, he and his leaf blower are still around.
You’ve got a good memory, Joe!
Yes, he’s still around. Have leaf blower, will travel. 😀
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