polka dot suitcase

So, back in May, I participated in a blogathon. One post every day for the merry, merry month of May. I did it. (I think. That was a while ago and age hasn’t been kind to my memory.) So, lately I think I’ve been on a new kind of blogathon. One post every week. Or so. This is working out well. I’m totally cut out to be a blogger, I can tell. I’m really good at this.

Moving on. It’s now autumn. Yippee! Fave season. Down here in the South, you can sometimes miss autumn’s arrival. You go outside one day in your shorts and T-shirt and think, “Yikes! When did it get this cold? And why are all these leaves laying around on the ground?” Back in the Northeast where I grew up, autumn is a scheduled event. Around about the end of August, you’ve got it marked on your calendar to start chipping the ice off the bird bath and put the flannels on the beds. The leaves are gorgeous, there’s the scent of apple cider doughnuts in the air, and you make sure the tire chains are ready.

So, to make sure my Southern kids get a taste of autumn the way I knew it, I’ve been trying to do all those autumnal things. Raking leaves and jumping in them. Roasting pumpkin seeds. Camping at the beach. Okay, I just kind of threw that last one in there. I thought that would be fun, so we went camping at the beach. My crazy kids were the only two swimming in the ocean while I sat on the sand, bundled up in a sweatshirt and capris. People kind of looked at them, then at me, as they walked by. Whether they were thinking, “Isn’t that lovely, Southern kids camping at the beach for autumn!” or “What a horrible mom, letting her kids swim in this weather!” I’m not sure.

Anyhoo. At least now that Patriots post isn’t at the top of the page, so I’ve accomplished something. Holy smokes, I’m such a good blogger.