First Fall Day

Today we got a little autumn teaser with a wake up temp at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. I love Fall. I love everything about Fall. The colors, the crisp air, the deep blue skies, the smells, the foods, the holidays are all so intense and flavorful. Plus, I can wear a hoodie!! I hate being hot. My children endearingly refer to me as the Queen of Narnia. I embrace the title. The beginning of colder weather makes me think of snow and I love snow. I remember when I was a child just feeling pure joy at the mere possibility of snowfall.  I would shove my feet in my moonboots, run outside and stay out there until I was soaked and freezing. Only then would I come back inside. 

I believe it was in 1978, but dates have never been my thing, when we had my big childhood blizzard. A few feet of snow fell not just our normal three to five inches. The kids in the neighborhood and I made igloos, and had the best snowball fights. We made huge snowmen and our parents weren't able to make it in to work so my father joined in on the fun. My dad had a huge diesel work truck that would drive through anything so he tied and enormous rope to the back and tied it to a sled and an if I remember correctly, an inner tube. Once it got dark my parents hopped in the front and my sister and I hopped on the sleds. My dad drove around everywhere in our town. Three things I remember:

1. When the truck stops, the sled doesn't.
2. When the truck turns hold on as tight as you can and you can potentially go up over curbs coming alarmingly damn close to telephone poles. 
3. Bright red snow suits are easier to see when you have fallen off the sled unlike the white one your older sister is wearing. 

I loved hearing my father laugh. His loud boisterous laugh lit up the night. I know my mother had to have been scared to death!!! Looking back at it as a parent, I would have adamantly refused to let my kids do that. It also makes me look at what I say no to and adds hesitation. Sure, it was dangerous, but my Dad would have never let us get hurt and it is such a fond memory for me. 

My parents =)