I went camping this weekend.
It should have been cool outside. We should have been wearing jackets and maybe even hats. It’s September so technically by mid-afternoon we should have shed the extra layers, but the leaves would still be shades of yellow and there should have been an air of fall sticking around.
But none of that happened.
It’s almost October and it was hot outside. We were hot and it was hot and, again, did I mention it was hot?
Indiana needs to get it together. Seriously. This is OUR season. Indiana is for fall. We don’t do summer that great, it’s hot and humid and people avoid us in the dead of summer. Winter is for escaping Indiana, I think we’d all head south with the birds if we could. Spring is okay, but mostly it just feels okay because we’re emerging from our winter haze and anything that makes us feel slightly warm feels exciting and new.
But fall? WE WERE MADE FOR FALL.
It’s when we get our best weather. Fall in Indiana is vibrant colors on our trees; it’s piles of leaves in our neighbors’ yards. It’s sweater weather and boots. It’s a love for football season even if you don’t love football…because fall has the best food too. It’s apple cider and chili; it’s that nacho cheese dip your mom makes in the Crock Pot and candy, piles and piles of Halloween candy.
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Fall in Indiana is waking up to crisp, cool air because you got to sleep with your windows open. It’s lower a/c bills before we make the switch to higher heating bills. It’s a break from mowing the grass and watering the lawn.
Fall is our Super Bowl.
Fall is our World Series.
Fall is our Indy 500.
Wait. Maybe the Indy 500 is just ours anyway and we don’t need to claim if for fall.
But you get my point.
Indiana is for fall and this year we seem to be missing it.
I’m not saying it’s anyone’s fault. Except those people who love summer so much and keep wanting it to last–I think we can kinda blame them. All those heat-lovers need to knock it off. Nobody wants to see you still wearing your shorts and t-shirts with flip flops.
I’m currently wearing a sweater and thick, fuzzy socks as I type this. (Sure, I’m sweating to death, but that’s beside the point.)
Summer, we get it. It was a fun ride, but you’ve overstayed your welcome now. MOVE ALONG.
The apple orchards are open. There are pumpkins at the farmer’s markets. I have one million mums on my front porch. Corn mazes are mazing and still, we’re not getting the fall temperatures Indiana does so well.
I’m giving it about one more week before we need to take major action. I don’t know what “major action” is right now, but if we all put our heads together, I’m sure we can come up with something helpful. We’ve been doing this for years, we know how to fall. We’ve got the experience, we’ve got the outfits, we’ve even got the right shoes for the occasion. Now all we need is the actual fall.
Maybe let’s try begging:
Fall, we love you. You’re beautiful, and you make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The other seasons have nothing on you. Come and do your thing, we need you. Love, Indiana.
Mary Graham is a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dog, Blue. During the day, she teaches high school English and at night (after the girls are asleep), she writes for The Huffington Post, Pearson’s Teachability, For Every Mom, her own blog, TrustyChucks.com, and various other print and digital outlets. Mary’s work has also appeared on HuffingtonPost.com. In her spare time, she likes to read, travel, eat chocolate, run half marathons, and then eat more chocolate.
