Mixed Message

Here you see a sunset in Kona, Hawaii, a place where I have never been and probably will never go, but it sure looks like somewhere I would want to be. Obviously, it is warm, though, as it's always warm in Hawaii. It's my effort for this week's Monday Muse.

Now for the mixed message part. After a very long and dry summer (it ended last week, in spite of what the calendar says), we had almost enough rain in two days last week to make up for how short we were for the year. Of course, it helped the water table and the lakes and reservoirs, but it came way too late for the crops and flowers. Farmers are still suffering, and I still had to water flowers all summer. I guess it was far worse for them than it was for me! The rain also brought fall along with it for a very delayed entrance. For the first time since early May, there are no 80 degree days in our forecast. Now we are getting daytime highs in the 50's and 60's and had our first frost of the year last night. I think this is late for a first frost. The leaves are finally changing color, but the color is pretty muted because most of the leaves are full of brown spots and holes. Although I am a summer lover, I always like the first few brisk days of fall weather. The drop in temperatures and difference of wardrobe are pleasant changes. Of course, it won't be long before I'm tired of the cooler temperatures, if not the clothes. The cooler it gets, the less I like it. One of my mantras known to everyone who knows me is, "I HATE winter!" Of course, winter is only temporary, and spring will come again--because life is good! :)