Thoughts on autumn

Now Louisa is snorting softly under her breath, which is one of the most annoying things a Newfoundland can do. She means, "I want you to pay attentiont to me, and I want you to do it right now!"

It is not freezing outside, but fall is definitely fading into winter. The trees are pale yellow and flame red, and you know they're about to give up the ghost. It is not my best time of year. Cold weather is coming, and it will stay around for five months or so. And I will hate it. I can't pretend, can't wear bright colors, can't think of fun things to do. I wish I could hibernate the whole five months, is what I wish. I hate winter.

Then there is Louisa, who of course was born for the Arctic and prances around outside like it's wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. If we can just have a mild one, I think, with highs in the 40's or 50's, I can survive it. Phooey on the 40's and
50's, Louisa says, I like the teens or even the single digits. I have not forgotten the Sunday morning I took my other Newf, Nana, to Riverside Park. The wind chill was something like -30. And, oh, she loved it. I don't think I can do it now; I'm 15 years older.

There are other things that make me nervous and depressed about this time of year: I think it's that feeling of expectancy; even though it's not cold yet, people are scurrying around and you know it's coming soon. Also, the bleachers are up for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. And I can't tell you how much I hate it.