Idyllic Indian Summer Night…

A September sunset always draws a crowd! (Wildwood, NJ September 2023)

Originally posted in The Sun by the Sea (www.sunbythesea.com)

The calendar dictates that seasons must change (at least around here). Mother Nature, however, doesn’t always keep up with the changing times. When autumn rolls around, she is occasionally found taking a brief, albeit well deserved nap, resulting in that sublime time of year known as Indian summer.  Indian Summer is the perfect time for basking in the midday sun without being baked beneath it, for gazing at the evening stars as if they are within our grasp. Endless possibilities exist during this extension of summer. As an added bonus, these days of sun worshiping and stargazing come packaged in an array of breathtaking color. The changing leaves form the perfect blend of lime green and red, bright yellow and warm gold.

Days glide by on the gentlest of breezes. Nights are reflected through the orange harvest moon hovering over the deep blue ocean. Porch swings were designed for times such as these, made all the more valuable because they are so limited. For just a little while longer we get to hold on to the warmth and carefree days of summer. Too soon they come to an end (Mother Nature eventually wakes up and looks at the calendar).

 Before these light-hearted days are marked off the calendar, why not do some island hopping? Take that coastal drive (windows down), where every turn of the wheel takes you to awe-inspiring destinations. No matter what direction you choose, expect your soul to be lifted by colored leaves and calm days, fresh air and firefly nights. These are the times we wish it possible to stop the clock instead of speeding it up.

 Buddha, being the enlightened guy he was, once said, “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment.” Indian summer is about living in the present moment and enjoying each fantastic yet fleeting moment. Why waste a minute of it?

Although we stand on the threshold of shorter days and colder nights, we can still appreciate the gifts Indian summer bring. By the sea is the ideal place to be this time of year, where every scene looks like a postcard magically brought to life. Here, each moment is captured in time. Every color appears more brilliant with a backdrop of sand and sea. Every scent is sweeter when it permeates the salt air, and every tranquil sound reverberates over ocean waves.

Now is the time for hurrying a little less, for wishing a little more, beneath that star-struck sky.

 May each wish bring one more Indian summer day.

 If only the calendar (and Mother Nature) would cooperate.