It’s been so cold here the past two days that it’s as if we just shot directly into winter. It’s like a twisted Season Monopoly turn, where you’re stuck with that card that tells you to go to winter, go directly into winter, do not pass fall, and save that $200 for heating oil.

This has been one strange year, weather-wise. I’ve traveled out of the country twice, visiting places in different sides of the globe, all during their so-called summer season, only to be inundated with relentless rain both times. Even the summer here in the Northeast has been uncharacteristically rainy and cool. It was like summer never even existed. Friends who have lived in this area their entire life have all said that they can’t recall a summer like this. Ever.

Now, with the sudden cold air and early darkness, it seems like we might be skipping fall as well.

And so, because fall is too lovely a season to just breeze through, I thought I’d post this photo that I took this past “summer.” I love this shot because, well, for some reason (which I’m sure is probably silly and inaccurate), it looks like an autumn shot to me.

Dear Autumn,

You don’t know me, but I’m a big fan. Please don’t skip our neighborhood. Come and stay awhile. I’ll make you pumpkin spice coffee if you do.

But feel free to leave Ragweed home. He doesn’t have to come visit with you. Really.

Thank you.