I don’t know about you, but my expectedly “lazy summer” was anything but, and — please don’t hate me for saying this — I’m totally ready for fall to arrive.
I’m ready for the kids to be back in school. I’m ready for my grapes to be fully ripe and picked and turned into jelly. I’m ready for the days to turn crisp, the leaves to start changing colour, and life to switch gears from vacation back to normal.
Of course, “normal” doesn’t have to mean “boring.” Fall has always delivered a bounty of entertaining things to do around the Hat, some of which even I — a hibernator by nature — might be willing to leave my nest of blankets and coffee and movies on the TV to get out and experience.
I’m always up for putting on a warm sweater and taking a stroll around Strathcona Island Park, checking out the changing colours and getting one last bike ride in with the kids before the weather turns. The fall Story Walk at Police Point Park is a treat I hope they offer again this year, and the downtown art walk is a great excuse to grab a hot beverage (pumpkin spice not required) and explore the creative side at the core of our city.
Speaking of pumpkin spice, let us never speak of it again unless it’s in the form of pumpkin pie for my brother’s birthday, topped with an excessive amount of whipped cream. I mean, I guess I can understand the lattes and maybe a nice pumpkin scone, but pumpkin spice gum, pumpkin spice Pringles, and even pumpkin spice vodka? Methinks they’ve gone too far! But, I digress.
The live music certainly doesn’t stop once the summer festivals wrap up. There are concerts galore dropping into the Hat this fall, including Glass Tiger and Led Zepagain. Yes, you read that right. And, if you love live theatre, this season will not disappoint. I’m still amazed that in a city this size, we have so many theatre companies with the most talented performers putting on shows that just get better every time.
So no, I’m not sad that summer is ending. I’m ready to take that one last camping trip over Labour Day weekend, and then pack it all away and get down to the business of enjoying the heck out what I hope is a long, drawn out fall. Because I’m certainly not ready for what comes after that.
Chrissy Cruickshank is a creative writer at 105.3 ROCK. You may hear her from time to time with comments on Poncho and Cassie’s morning show. Listen at 105.3 ROCK.
