The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous for the past week or so. I believe we are experiencing what they refer to in German as a “goldener Oktober” or, as we call it in American English, an “Indian summer.”
I have had the windows in the apartment open for the past few days and I have really enjoyed the fresh air. But deep down inside I know that instead of sitting in front of the computer screen, I should be outside right now taking advantage of this weather while it lasts. I know that in the next few weeks the cold will come and I will dread going outside. I know that I should at least go out on the balcony today and enjoy the sunshine for a little while, but I probably won’t.
I believe that my lack of enthusiasm for going outside in this beautiful weather is twofold.
First of all, simply put, no matter how hard I try, I am just not an outdoorsy person. I have tried throughout the years to become more of an “outdoorswoman,” but for the most part, I have been unsuccessful. Nevertheless, I will say that as a direct result of my attempts to enjoy the outdoors a bit more, I did discover that I do enjoy the occasional hike… as long as it isn’t too hot, too cold, too wet, too windy, too far, and doesn’t take too long.
However, even though I have been known to hike on occasion, I very seldom take a leisurely stroll just so that I can enjoy being outside. In fact, I think it is accurate to say that the only time I that I would ever voluntarily go on such a walk is in the spring: And let’s face it: In the northern hemisphere when the calendar says October 27 it is most definitely not spring!
Enter the second explanation of why I am not outside at the moment: No matter how nice the weather might be right now, it doesn’t change the fact that it is autumn and I am not very fond of this particular season. Autumn always lowers my spirits because instead of budding with life, the landscape is in its dying phase and instead of lengthening, the days are shortening. The birds are migrating to warmer places, the kittens have become cats, and at night the heaters have to be turned on. I dread autumn because I know that winter is just around the corner and winter is, without a doubt, my least favorite season.
Therefore, no matter how beautiful the weather is, it has always been difficult for me to enjoy an Indian summer because I know I could wake up the next day to discover snow on the ground.
