That Autumn Sweater

This time of year always arrives as bittersweet. Apathy and lethargy creep in with the sticky and humid "dog days" as summer comes to a close. The carefree feelings of summer freedom dwindle away, but thankfully these unwanted feelings are soon replaced with a new kind of excitement. Autumn is just around the corner, bringing much change with it. A new school year, which includes (for me) a new school, new people and a whole new state to go along with it. Autumn also brings forth new fashion. This week alone I've gone shopping three times too many for new college clothes, and I can't stop. Just today I wen't to the local thrift store with a few friends and our cart was overflowing with corduroy pants and soft sweaters. I completely regret not buying a colorful, long and thick old sweater that would have gone great as a dress with funky tights. I may have to go back tomorrow and buy it. I realized how much I missed sweaters, tights, layering and boots. I can't wait to study in my new dorm, wrapped up in an over-sized sweater and chunky leg warmers. I am so ready to trade in my denim shorts and gladiator sandals for my new military style jacket and palladium boots. Aren't you?

P.s. Go listen to the song Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo. It might inspire your fall attire.

Summer Night

It's late, I don't know what hour it is, only that I am the only one awake. I quietly step outside, careful not to wake those who are already dreaming. I am in my own world right now. The night is warm, comforting. 71 degrees. The day's humidity has been replaced with night's soft stillness. I walk to the spot in the field where the house's porch light cannot reach; the dew on the grass cools my toes. I sit and the wet blades tickle my legs. I take out a cigarette and put it off-center between my lips. Pulling a lighter from my dress pocket, I light the tobacco and the peach taste on my tongue is tarnished with smoke. I exhale; the smoke seems thicker than it is during the day, a light gray contrast to the dark sky. The night's atmosphere is a dusty blue-violet color that you can only see out in the country, where no artificial light damages the view. The woods are completely black against the sky. Inside the shadows of the trees are small, quick flashes like cameras at a football game. Thousands of tiny fireflies trying to find their perfect match, another who is in sync with their illumination. A soul mate. The flickers give the trees a supernatural glow. The nighttime woods hold an ancient magic that most don't get to experience during the day, and i feel special knowing I am the only one seeing this right now. I take another drag and listen to the sounds that give the still air life. A soft melody of chirps from the frog pond at the bottom of the hill reaches my ears. High soprano sounds are accompanied by the occasional bass croak; flutes and violins playing to the beat of a drum. I exhale gray smoke through my nose. A wind stirs the air and goosebumps rise on the arms even though the breeze is warm. I lay back into the grass that needs to be cut and stare up at the sky. I listen and look and feel the world around me as if I'm on some alien planet. A whole new world comes alive while we sleep, dream. I take a last pull from my cigarette and stub it out in the lawn next to me. I stand and begin my walk back inside. The lighter in my pocket weighs down the left side of my dress. The night is alive.

Summer Storm

Another storm is comming tonight. I can already hear the thunder.

They walk out of the front door into the spitting rain. It’s not heavy, it’s erratic and sharp. Four girls head to the local convenience store on a warm summer evening to get drinks despite the large abundance of food inside. They only really use the need for drinks as an excuse to escape the confinements of the basement they frequent regularly. Walking to the store provides a small summer night adventure for the girls, even if they’re only going there and coming back home. One girl pulls out a pack of cigarettes and passes it around as they begin their walk, a foolish idea since the rain is picking up. Despite the weather though, two of the four teenagers light their tobacco and attempt to keep the paper from getting wet in the rain. Conversation flows with happy comments and the occasional sarcastic remark as the group walks down a sidewalk littered with streetlights. The rain grows thicker and the two girls with their cigarettes give up on their effort to smoke. The rain is cool but the puddles on the ground are warm from the sun-soaked asphalt. The rainfall brings out the child in each girl, as if enchanted precipitation soaks through her maturity. They laugh for no reason, shout, jump, splash and play. One skips while another starts to sing. Dancing and twirling, they make a turn onto a busy street and continue their late night walk to the store. Shoes are removed and the twirling continues. The group must look odd in the eyes of the oncoming cars, but they could care less. Finally, they make it to the convenience store. They replace their shoes on their feet and attempt to calm their contagious laughter. Trying to look semi-presentable in their saturated hair and sopping clothes, the girls walk through the door.


I had the urge to write something, but i'm no writter.
Love, ashley