I love this time of year. I have been waiting on these cool days since June! The coffee taste better in the morning; I sleep better and feel energized all the way around. Downstairs in my studio I have two large eight foot wide sliding barn doors I open up and let the cold air into the room. I put on a fleece and take it all in. When we built our house six years ago, I designed it so we could open it up and bring in the fresh air. Before a/c, people used to live with windows open so the subtle breezes would keep the house cool and comfortable. Out west, where we have spent time in the summers, hardly any of the homes have a/c. They only need it three or four weeks out of the year and if they are hot they sit in the shade. Novel idea. Anyway, this past Saturday morning I woke up to a beautiful and clear 50 degree day and immediately opened up the house. It seemed like everyone just took a sigh of relief and said, "Thanks be to God" for a gorgeous day..... even the house. It gets to do what a house should do, breath.... and so do we.
We have all gotten soft. I have gotten soft!! Back in high school and college I drove a Jeep CJ7 back and forth to Birmingham and loved every minute of it. If it was hot, I would take off my shirt (don't worry, I won't subject the world to that these days) and if it was cold I would turn on the heater that blew directly on my gas pedal foot and wear a jacket. Was I tougher back then or just young and oblivious? Now I drive my CJ to the hardware store and back and that's enough for me. Yet on a day such as this, I can't think of a better vehicle to drive and feel that I could make it all the way to Birmingham. So open up the windows and get outside! It is what we were designed to do! As for me, if I ever get my Jeep out of the shop with my new clutch, I will take the top off and get back on the road. (Top meaning Jeep top of course, not my shirt). Lord help us all......
