Morgan Ashleigh

I am a dweller by the sea (which is really a murky bay). I adore the ocean and enjoy knowing that a short drive from my house lies this great expanse of water that makes me feel simultaneously small and powerful.

However, when August fades away and my tourist town lulls into the sleepy, slower months, I have a fierce longing for autumn.

I make all the pumpkin treats and burn too many scented candles while rewatching Gilmore Girls and You’ve Got Mail in an attempt to simulate the atmospheric season.

Outside, my home is still in a world of green and a humid heat that will linger in the nineties for another month still. There is no colors in the trees and people risk their lives wearing sweaters and jeans for the sake of fashion.

While lovely, what is lacking at home is what stands out. The wonders of our everyday surroundings become commonplace. What I take for granted brings in thousands of tourists every year.

Although I love my coastal small town, I can’t help imagining what life is like somewhere else when September knocks on my door. The visible change in the seasons is so poetic and visually fits my mood as we creep closer to the last months of a long year.

I want to appreciate the beauty in my home, but I hope that for those of you who are dreading the additional chore of raking leaves and pulling out clothes from the back of the closet can know that I think your life is lovely.