Goodbye Sun. Hello Rain.

Summer’s just about done for those of us in the Pacific Northwest. We had a warm and sunny summer that’s now giving way to the fall, and while it’s inevitable, it’s somehow still a shock. It’s as though Mother Nature turned on the Autumn Switch because last week temperatures were in the eighties with blue skies, and this week temperatures have dropped into the sixties with clouds and rain.

It’s a harsh adjustment to make. The long summer days are a luxury that’s hard to give up because you know what’s in store for you in the coming months: drizzle, mist, sprinkles, downpours—and any other synonym for rain. And of course, let’s not forget overcast skies and cold temperatures and darkness. Sure there’s a rare day of sunshine and blue skies in the colder months, but it’s sandwiched between a lot of cloudy and rainy days.

I complain, but really, I do like having seasons that are overtly noticeable because changing seasons breaks up the year and gives me a sense of time. Also I really like being able to change my clothes with the seasons; I may not be particularly excited about the impending cold and rain, but I am looking forward to wearing autumn clothing. I really like wearing layers and wearing warm and cozy items, and I love boots and coats and scarves. [Pause.] So I guess every cloud really does have a silver lining (albeit that cloud is bound to rain on me soon enough).