Here’s to an early Autumn!

I know that the vast majority of women prefer the hot weather of summer to the cold in winter. Having worked outside for 20 years on horse farms, I feel pretty comfortable in saying that I have lived through the worst –and best!– of both. I love my gardening and hiking in the warm months, but I love my winter sports as well. I have to say that Bolo and I prefer the cold weather– no ticks to worry about, no humidity, no stifling heat that keeps me indoors.

Ah, but this summer….what a treat! It was 58 degrees this morning when I woke up (I actually slept in until 6!) and I am loving this. I know my tomato plants would love some hotter weather, but I swear I”ll knit them a blanket if August could always be like this!

Are you taking advantage of this gorgeous weather? It’s time to get out in the gardens and trim back the summer flowers that are looking in need of a haircut. Bend your knees and tighten your abdominals as you squat and trim. Stand up without using your hands and get a leg workout as you garden. Stretch and keep your tummy tight as you reach towards the back of the flowerbed to cut those last straggly dead blooms. Whether you use a wheelbarrow or muck tub, put your legs to use (not your back!) and shuttle those weeds to the compost pile. Got a rake and fork? It’s a good time to turn the compost pile to rev up the cooking process. Remember, bend your knees and tighten your core to protect your back, and here’s another whole body work out right in your back yard. For those of you who have a wooded yard and also use your fireplaces or wood stoves, it’s a great time to begin collecting kindling. You’l be having fires sooner than you think! This is my favorite fall activity, and a good stretching workout as well. It’s great if you have young children, because they’re always picking up sticks anyway! Now you can make it a family adventure! Just collect your sticks and pile them neatly up against a favorite tree, and when the weather really begins to cool down, you can bring them in to dry by the armfulls.

I hope I have given you incentives to get out and enjoy this weather we are being blessed with. Of course, if you don’t have a yard or garden, you can always dust off that bicycle and take a ride with your kids. Or a walk in the woods at Round Valley or Merrill Creek. Whatever you decide, make it outside!!!