cozy

There's something different about the warmth of a blanket in a cool October house vs the warmth of a sunny porch in August. Maybe it's a little more safe: protected from the outside chill, a place of comfortable refuge.

As much as I adore basking in the Summer sunshine, there's a refreshing change that comes with the crisp Autumn air. A satisfaction in hunting out my long lost sweater collection, jumping into my early morning car and anxiously awaiting the heat to kick in, stepping outside to drink in the rich harvest air: infused with the fragrance of orchards and hay bales.

There's just something about Fall. 

It's hard to accurately match words to feelings -- so often they just can't capture the whole picture. I love the word cozy. In my opinion, it is an ideal example of one of those marriages: unfeeling letters that, when put together, are immediately able to embody the most lovely of emotions. The smell of woodsmoke in the early morning fog, the taste of pumpkin cookies and hot apple cider, the sound of Nat King Cole's voice, and the feeling of snuggling up with a book and a pile of blankets. Coziness just seeps out from every side.

The nice thing about Fall is that there's just enough of this feeling to charm the senses and allow for its complete enjoyment. Winter can be cozy too, of course, but when the blankets, sweaters, boots and gloves are an everyday necessity... they get old. A Virginia fall comes complete with clear blue skies, a breeze as crisp as the apples, and an afternoon sunshine that makes life feel like the best thing in the world. It shows off cozy's romantic side. The occasional rainy weekend pushes us into the warm coffee shops and allows me a chance to break out my fleece-lined rain boots. It also leaves everyone ready to welcome back the sunshine and continue to enjoy the season to the fullest.

One of my favorite philosophers once said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." I couldn't agree more. 

Stay cozy.
C