Oh Autumn...where are you?

I have been complaining a lot lately about the weather. I am sure it is getting to be a bit too much for our dear Lord to hear my constant whining and whimpering. I do want to apologize to Him for that. I just hate the heat. I loathe this oppressive heat. My day begins by struggling to walk our front brick path to retrieve the morning paper. The sky above me is a dull battleship gray, the murky air harboring all manner of pollutants and pollen. My poor asthmatic lungs seize and constrict immediately. I cough and feel the first sticky beads of sweat trickle down my back. It is but 6:30 am and the humidity is already at 80%. I know that others have it so much worse and I do feel just awful complaining. I do. Still, I moan. The lack of rain has been horrible. So many are dealing with far too much and our area, well, our area has had little to no rain in months. The gardens are suffering, the Summer flowers have long ago wilted and their vivid color faded away. The only thing thriving in the yards these days are weeds and the occasional patch of crab grass. On my drive home today I was surrounded by never ending seas of dead or dying evergreens and fields. This pale and dusty landscape does nothing to lift a person's spirits...oh how I crave sweet Autumn's bright crimsons and golds, it's crisp, clean morning air. I need to feel a cool breeze caress my cheek as I wait at the bus stop with my daughter and to reward myself with a morning mug of steaming hot chocolate. I want to see each breath take flight in a frosty puff and smell fresh cut wood being added to a Football field bonfire.... setting the sky ablaze with currents of flickering, popping sparks. I want to smell pumpkin pies topped with freshly grated cinnamon baking in our oven. I can not wait to enjoy longer evenings cuddled up on our cozy down sofa, my Grandmother's antique quilt safely tucked around my feet. I want so to gaze at the spice scented candles glowing on our fireplace mantle as a small fire warms our pets, napping in it's dancing orange glow. I need to feel the scratchy warmth of woolen sweaters and hear the steady ping ping of our furnace as it fires. I am ready for this seasonal change, ready for cooler weather. I long to pull out the flannel sheets, vintage quilts and down comforters and to snuggle deep inside this sweet slumber cocoon. I am ready for you Autumn! You can not arrive soon enough for this old girl.