Tag: winter

As someone who lived in the Midwest United States, I am obsessed with the weather. It’s hard not to be. It can shift rapidly, not just daily but hourly.

I also know that when I talk about the weather, I often say “when I was a kid ….” And although it may be annoying to the youths, it is the truth. When I was a kid, September meant the end of summer (not just the start of school), Halloween costumes were almost always hidden by our winter coats, it often snowed at Thanksgiving, and we always had snow at Christmas. What this September taught me AGAIN was that the weather has shifted. It was as hot as hell. It was nearly 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) last week. Every day I would shake my fist at the sky and yell I need summer to STOP!

Thank goodness, the second week of October has finally brought some cooler temperatures. October means sporty jackets and cute boots and hot chocolate and afternoon walks and fall foliage and … Oh NO! October is already halfway over. November looms with its dark days and cold nights and … actually, November last year was beautiful. Did I mention that the weather has shifted. Climate change is undoubtably real and really bad for the planet, but it is nice that it rarely snows before January now. (We need a sarcasm font.)

And now quick verse to summarize the above rant. 

when September ends

Summer’s green days fade away

A fable once told   

now October’s sun burns red

an admonitory tale  

Thanks to FOWC (NEED) and the writer’s workshop and dVerse for their challenges to reflect on September and October. 

Poetics: Tripping the October Light Fantastic

FOWC With Fandango — Need

This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts: October 9, 2025

Plus, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Green Day’s Wake Me When September Ends