Easily Excitable

There is no one more apt to ‘drink the Kool-Aid’ than me.

Which Kool-Aid, you ask? Any which’a’one. 

I have always been a follower in my heart of hearts, much to my own detriment many times. My people-pleasing heart just loves to see the joy others feel when I become their own foot soldier. 

Kidding…kinda.

And as much as I hate to say it, there is NO (clap) KOOL-AID (clap) I like to drink more than the warm, mulled Kool-Aid that fall has to offer. 

It’s almost embarrassing. 

But here is the worst part:

There is no more deceptive season than fall. 

I don’t know many people who don’t get a little footloose and fancy-free when it feels like we are on the autumnal precipice.

I see a “Happy Fall, Y’all” sign, and I start feeling all tingly inside. 

This, despite the fact that I almost have a heat stroke every time I get in my car to leave the school house. 

Why is it like this? 

Why do I so desire to drink that autumnal pumpkin-apple-spice Koolaid? 

Is this what Paul was talking about when he said he had a thorn in his side? Is this my cross to bear?

Am I doomed to forever have my hope dashed to pieces by these ‘fake falls?’ 

I think it’s probably because summer leaves us all a little exhausted and hopeless. 

By August, after we have seen a 36-day drought, and numerous three digit degree days, I think we all need a break. 

Summertime lasts so long that it’s honestly a little demoralizing. 

It’s that frenemy you had in 6th or 7th grade who seemed really kind at first, only to transform into someone who uses all your secrets against you. 

See, you start summer full of hope and full of plans: plans for sandcastles and sunscreen, popsicles and pool days. 

There will be trips galore, as well as time spent with family. 

But as hopeful as summer looked back in May, it looks every bit as terrorizing now. 

95 degrees just hits a little different when you’re just trying to go to work than it does when you’re sitting poolside. 

Summer knows we all love a little heat and sun on our vacations, but then she holds it over our heads when September comes along. 

You know those days: those when it’s so hot outside, it makes you viscerally angry. 

Like I said: summer leaves us exhausted and a little hopeless. 

There is always that little feeling of, “Will this EVER end?!”

But, if this year’s seasonal calendar is anything like years past,

 we might just be on the precipice of fall. 

And by precipice, yes- I DO indeed mean we may see fall in latter-October. 

But it’s coming, folks!

But I woke up this morning feeling some of that fall-hope that so often gets dashed to pieces, and I had to think: 

What is it that gets me so hopeful that fall is here?

Why is this the case when, as a Georgian, I know that fall won’t be here (for good) for a couple of months?!

What are those things that convince me fall is HERE and ready to party?! I had to make a list:

1. Muscadines

Scuplines, scuppernongs, muscadines: I’m sure there are some obscure differences someone will call me on, but for the most part, I would say these things are pretty much the same thing: 

They are Georgia grapes that are delicious. 

Point blank, period. 

Soon as we go back to school, the vines on the farm start ripening up. 

My favorite after school activity is grabbing a ‘few’ (I’d rather not disclose the amount) every day on my way in from work. 

These taste like fall, even though the muscadines will be steamy from baking in the (obviously) still-summer sun. 

When the muscadines get to kicking up, I feel this needling desire to go get my flannels out of storage. 

2. Football in every form

Okay, okay…mainly high school and college. 

But, there is something about football arriving that makes me want to believe all fall’s lies…even as we watch the games in ninety degree weather. 

I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomach because the Dawgs have a date with Clemson in T-minus three hours. 

I love football, and I love the “accouterments” of football, too: Homecoming, pep rallies, tailgating, parties. The weekend looks a little brighter when there’s good football to watch. 

3. The weather

Of all of these, I am perhaps most ashamed that fall tricks me with its weather. 

I know its playbook, and yet, every year, a fraction of me falls for its most obvious trick.

A couple of weeks ago, we got a GLORIOUS blast of cooler air: I’m not sure which cardinal direction that system came from, but I like to think our Heavenly Father had a little something to do with it. 

He saw our weeping and gnashing of teeth, and He showed mercy on His children. 

I see that Tuesday of next week will usher in some 80 degree days- looks like ten days worth?- and I’m trying not to put all my chips in on this second fake fall. 

It’s hard to do. 

I know we are (most likely) not done with our scorching days just yet. But a gal’s gotta dream. 

4. The smell of smoke

Bonfires are one of fall’s sweetest offering to mankind. 

And for this reason, I can’t get a whiff of smoke after July and not think it’s time to break out the s’mores and lawn chairs. 

Fall would be incomplete without the smell of smoke: put it on my tombstone. 

I smell just a hint of smoke, and I don’t know how to act: could be any type of smoke really…a trash pile, burning food, a blown-out candle. 

I don’t think my brain can distinguish the different kinds: it all just registers, in big, bold letters, as FALL: IT’S FINALLY HERE. 

We have a firepit in the backyard that’s beckoning already. 

I just have to keep telling myself that a bonfire right now, in weather that’s hotter than the actual fire itself, won’t fill the big hole in my heart. 

Fall, how I hope for thee: let me count the ways

There are so many other obvious deceptions fall has up its sleeve: this list could go on forever. 

I.e…

• Candy corn displays in stores
• Hobby Lobby’s countless decorations that express “Happy Fall, Y’all” in one fashion or another
• Mums- all the mums
• L.L. Bean’s fall catalog (though, I just have to think they’re having a different experience in Maine right now than what we’re experiencing here in the Peach State)
• Booties on display in stores
• Cozy fall-scented candles, such as “Flannel” and “Woodsmoke” 

I’m waiting and watching for my favorite season: until she arrives, I’ll be sipping that warm cider Kool-Aid. 

Fall, in all her beauty: she’s coming folks. Hang in there.