It’s officially fall in San Francisco. Yesterday, I froze. I’ve been fighting off fall in terms of traditional garb because in San Francisco, fall comes a bit late. Summer isn’t summer and the beginning of fall is the warmest time of the year. I wore t-shirts, skirts, dresses, flip-flops while the rest of the nation (mostly) began untucking their scarves from their hideaways and donning boots and jackets.
I still love San Francisco, but the seasons (or lack thereof) kind of suck.
Fall always makes me a bit nostalgic. Living in Colorado, fall was always the most beautiful time of year. The aspen leaves turn from green to yellow to orange to red, leaving the city aglow. They create an aura throughout each neighborhood, lining streets with their vivacious color. The air just feels like fall. It’s light and chilled and crisp. Everyone is happy as the holidays approach.
In San Francisco, it’s a little different. We have Indian Summer (which is our only summer) and then it abruptly changes from warmth to cold and windy.
They’ve begun lining the streets with Christmas lights and the store below my office has been carrying an array of ornaments and holiday decorations since well before Halloween. We’re preparing for the holidays, but not with as much warmth and comfort as Colorado.
The holidays here are retail. They’re sales and shopping and hustly bustly tourists; shopping bags leaving indentations in their arms.
I’ve done everything I can to make my home feel cozy and warm for fall — candles, the scents of cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, I’ve purchased new scarves and boots for the season (that I’ll wear year round here, I’m sure). Pumpkins and squash and other hot comfort foods are now on every menu, but it still feels…colder here.
Fall to me means family. It means curling up by a fireplace, reading a book, watching a movie, snuggling with my mom or dad under a blanket, kissing the dogs, sleeping in my bed, laughing with friends over Pumpkin Spice Lattes, shoveling snow off of my car, standing outside watching my breath form little cloud puffs in the cold night air.
Every year, at this time, I get a little nostalgic. Like I want to crawl back in the past and spend one more fall, one more winter, in Colorado.
Thanks for the gratitude as I complain that the warm weather has left us here on the east coast. The fall does have lots to offer and thanks for helping me be grateful for those aspects.
Love ya,
Of course! It’s a “the grass is always greener” approach, too. When I lived in Colorado, I was miserable throughout the winter as it was so frigid, snowy and icy. It’s great to have both!
I agree completely that fall is something you miss a good bit when living in San Francisco. The seasons there are at least a little bit out of whack. Since moving back to the east coast, I’ve appreciated being able to see and feel the distinct seasonal changes (and the anticipation of the many fun family and friend events that come with each), but I can’t say there aren’t days when I wish for the “layered clothes” predictability of SF weather from time to time!
Yes, I definitely miss fall. It seems like it’s always fall here, but without the leaves changing and the natural warmth. I’d love to spend a year on the East Coast to see what it’s like there. I bet it’s similar to Colorado 🙂
You’re right, it’s a double edged sword. Yes, it’s beautiful here. It’s also beens snowy and freezing, and all we do it talk about how to get somewhere warm for a vacation. Don’t worry – the cold isn’t going anywhere, and you’ll always have a place in colorado when you want to visit 🙂
xoxo
Definitely a double edged sword… I love that the weather here is relatively predictable, but I miss the variety! I think I will always associate fall with family and friends and closeness and warmth and the fact that I feel so far away from family makes it hard to have the same feelings while away. I’ll be in CO for 10 days over Thanksgiving and I can’t wait!! 🙂