It has been such a rough few months.
The heat does things to me.
It drains me. Makes me tired and cranky and uninspired. Listless. Unmotivated. Five months is a long time to be in a heat induced funk, people. A very very long time.
Now though… the mercury is dropping (and when I say "dropping" I mean "moving into the low 90s and 80s"). So all that weight and oppression is slowly peeling away.
The best part?
…becoming reacquainted with the woods.
It feels like heaven to walk outside and not feel the furnace blast. We are reveling in our newly rediscovered ability to be outside for more than five minutes. We are drinking DEEPLY after a long, numbing thirst.
A few days ago, we had our first long walk in the woods since I don't even know when, and it was just like coming home. The boys ran around squealing, vibrating, joyous. "Remember this path mama? Remember the old treehouse? Remember that tree with the hole it in?"
It's like riding a bike … this love of the wild things… no matter how long they've been away from their favorite woodsy places, they still remember just exactly how to soak them up. They know where to find bark bug trails, and where the moss and mushrooms grow and where all the best crawly things hide. They know how to BE outside, to really be in it. And we are so grateful to have the chance again.
Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome and hundred times WELCOME, autumn! We have been so looking forward to having you here!
My oldest summed it up best on our walk when he said, "Doesn't it just feel so good to feel good again?"
Oh yes it does.
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We feel that way just because our high is hovering around 100. I actually am spending some days outside! It’s crazy! Seriously, though, we have one more month until we’re really outdoors. I’m envious of your walks in the woods.
I had a similar experience yesterday. Temps were high in August (VA high not TX high), then our lives were caught up in my FIL’s failing health and funeral arrangements this weekend. Yesterday afternoon is the first time in 6 or so weeks that I took a walk in my gardens – I took my clippers to start my fall chores. It was nice to work in my own self-created wilderness (and after 6 weeks of no maintenance, how it resembled a wildnerness).
Such beautiful peaceful photos. I’m with you, I don’t do well in the heat. It’s oppressive and smothering. I am enjoying our new fallish weather so intensely!!
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What a fabulous description. I feel that way sometimes after I long, cold winter. But hot summers are worse, I know that for sure. Enjoy!
Steffi–Have your boys made mushroom art yet? Have them put those mushrooms right side up on colored construction paper and they’ll be amazed by the designs the spores make after a day or two.
I’m so glad you are able to get outside again!!
what a difference the weather really does make in our lives…happy to hear you are getting a break. love the heart in the tree!
Since I live in the same city, I totally feel your pain. I share that dread and dislike of the energy-sapping, seemingly interminable heat and humidity! Partly since it means hibernation for so long. It’s been nice to get a break these last few days, hasn’t it?
My son is so weird, though — he actually wishes it were hotter, which makes NO sense since he doesn’t want to play outside when it’s that hat! He had a shoot yesterday at the Archery Club out on City Park Road, so he did get a dose of that heat — and so did we. But it was better than the tournament in July!
we are finally back outside as well. i’ve been fluffing up the decks getting ready for fall, while the kiddos explore!
Goodness, I can’t function if it’s above the mid 70s! Good job I live in cool, damp England with just a few really hot days.
Must be wonderful to be rediscovering the outside again.
Oh hon! I’m pulling for you! Wishing I could blow a little cool air your way. In the morning I sometimes listen to your local NPR station (If I’m up to late to hear morning edition on mine). Your weather report always makes me feel a bit better about ours!
Hang in there!
Yes we did! For the very first time. It was so cool and those spores were a very unexpected color! I’m going to share about it on the magnifying glass tomorrow.
happy autumn! great to read how you are all embracing what she brings your way. and that heart in the tree just sums it up – love that photo!
happy fresh, cool air days!
Oh yes, I can so relate! It is nice to go outdoors again
Happy autumn, to you! I’m glad that your weather is finally more manageable. Here are to many more hikes in the months ahead.
Amen to that! Cold front and more rain on the way! I love that heart tree, what a find.
Oh Stef I’ve been right there with ya! Isn’t it amazing how much the heat can steal from you? It’s like the chrysalis we are watching right now – we “emerge” again when the temps drop below 90. Not too much longer for us now……..
I hate the heat too – we’re already starting to have some hot days and spring has only just started. It’s going to be a hot summer here
Glad you’re feeling some relief!!!
We can really relate – just outside New Orleans LA. I can’t wait for those days when the humidity is down and the wind kicks up! Still waiting but should may start soon.
love the heart tree and the wonderful wooded walk
I feel exactly like you but only about the bitter cold that we experience up here in the far north. 6 months of cold winter…is too much! Unfortunately we do not see 100 degree days to thaw out from the arctic temps! Send heat my way in the winter, and I’ll send some arctic chill your way in the summer
! Spring and Autumn sure are perfect though!
I feel the exact same way! South Georgia is HOT. It is just miserable being outside. So, I’m welcoming fall with open arms. I want to wear a scarf and go to an apple orchard…make felted pumpkins, stuff like that.
ooooo. “doesn’t it just feel good to feel good again” brings tears to my eyes. i’m in WI so i can’t imagine having those feelings you described (similar to our winter cabin fever) on account of the summer’s heat. =)
Great post.
I do know that welcomed “feeling good again” feeling oh too well. it will come with the sun’s warmth after six long months of frozen, here. i’m so glad that you’ve got your feeling good again feeling.
I’m so very happy for your cooler weather. May you frolic in it. I’ve been in Sweden the last couple of weeks and so happy wearing my sweaters in the cool weather. We’ve been picking
blueberries,cloudberries,and mushrooms in the forest here in Sweden. Wishing you continued coolness.
Oh, I do remember that oppressive Southern heat. People start complaining around here after 5 days of 90 and I say, have you ever walked outside and felt sufocated because it was too hot and too humid to breathe??
Like Robert Earl Keen sings, “Feels so good, feeling good again.”
Oh. My. GOSH!!!
I LOVE REK and yet I didn’t even think of that!
Thermometer says 58 right at this moment… and I could not be more in love with right here, right now!
Yay for cooler temps and the great outdoors!
I just thought about how this heat keeping you indoors is like when our cold keeps us in… Crazy!
I love the changing seasons! We were fortunate to have a relatively cool summer this year in the KC area, but I remember Houston summers. They seemed never ending, and when fall finally came, it was SUCH a relief!
I love that last photo with the heart shaped hole in the tree!
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