Autumn Angst

The leaves have fallen. The garden is cut back. Migratory birds are gone. It’s dark by 4:30 pm.
 
Autumn angst has taken hold of me. I love the fall. Hate letting go of it. The cooler temps have me scurrying down to lakefront trails, places I’ve walked before. I found a new path yesterday heading off in a fresh direction. I walked half of it before turning back, nose dripping and fingers frozen. I'll return there today wearing layers of clothing to keep warm beneath the overcast sky. I do like a moody sky and am more than willing to bundle up to capture those magnificent views across Lake Michigan. When I return, I’ll swap out my fall wardrobe for warmer gear and locate my boots knowing that all-too-soon snowdrifts will replace those leaf piles. Sigh.
 
The only consolation I have is that my best writing happens throughout winter when cold air, icy walkways, and perpetual darkness keep me in front of my laptop with eye-popping YouTube nature videos running in the background while I craft fresh plots and dastardly characters. I’ve set up a few writing deadlines that should help me wrap up those rewrites and finally move ahead to another storyline. Fingers crossed.
 
I just wish autumn would last a bit longer. Like until mid-February. Don’t you?