The word 'seasons' brings back memories that were probably gone forever were it not for these blogs. I have memories of not having anything to do in Paris, but never memories of not enjoying the beautiful, ever changing seasons that Paris and Henry County have always afforded.
From the snowy hillsides and icy roads to the scorching summers and the wonderful Kentucky Lake, to everything coming back alive after a cold winter, to everything showing that death can be a beautiful thing, in the fall, I have seen some changes in Paris. My favorite season used to be fall, but, because of Jean, it is now spring. Back when we were dating, I asked her what her favorite season was, and without any hesitation, she said spring. I asked her why and she said 'rejuvenated life'. Fall is a beautiful season, but is beautiful because everything is dying, spring is beautiful because new life is beginning.
Several years ago I spent fifteen months in Los Angeles, and went through all the seasons. I arrived at the end of January and it was 60 and brown, then spring came and it was 75 and brown, then came summer and it was 85 and brown, then came fall and it was 75 and brown. I have not been there in a long while, so I don't know how it is now, but I did not like it then, and I imagine I would like it less, today.
As a sidebar, this year I witnessed the most beautiful, the greenest, the coolest, the wettest summer, in Paris, that I have ever seen. It was truly an amazing sight to have green all summer.
I think I am fortunate to call Paris home.
2 comments:
When someone asks about my favorite season, I always reply, "This one," whichever "this one" may be. It's hard to argue against autumn with the brilliant foliage and mild temps, but winter has plenty of perks. Red cheeks, warm clothes and big fires in a brisk, quiet outdoors with a sky full of stars that seem even more clear and crisp in the winter.
Percy Bysshe Shelley said, "If winter comes can spring be far behind?" And he's right; one season makes us yearn for the next, because we're human and that's what humans do. So enter spring, with your new life, buds and blooms. It's that rejuvenation that makes dreamers follow spring to the Canadian border, watching her unfold along the way.
By the end of April (although still officially spring) it's flip flops and shorts weather, with the exception of Dogwood Winter. Note that Fish Fry is accepted as the the first official tanning day of the season. Swimsuits and lake time, gardening and long afternoons on the back porch follow, along with fresh produce that we've longed for all winter.
All of the seasons have their champions and their detractors, but I'll take this one, autumn....and in a few weeks, winter....and in a few weeks, spring and on it goes.
Anonymous tells us that Fish Fry Friday is the start of tanning season. I can remember, back in the day, when that Friday was the first day of water sking. That water sure was cold, but it was more like a 'right of passage', more like a tradition, and I jumped in to freezing Kentucky Lake more than once!
I was never sick from it, but as I look back on it, it was sure a silly tradition. That water sure was cold.
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