Light Hearted

Today is September 22, 2024, marking the official switch from summer to fall—the Equinox. It’s one of those rare days where everything feels balanced, both day and night get an equal share of the spotlight before the nights start to steal the show. Now, before we get all poetic about this cosmic balance, let’s be real for a second—what we’re really wondering is: how long can we hold onto those sunny, t-shirt-worthy days before Michigan pulls out its famous weather mood swings?

I can’t really complain about September this year. August was a bit of a soggy affair here in Michigan, with rain that seemed determined to prove a point. But September? Oh, it’s been our lucky month. The last two weeks were absolutely gorgeous. We had temperatures in the low 80s, dry skies, not a drop of rain in sight, and—wait for it—sunshine every day. That’s right, every single day! Perfect walking weather, perfect grilling weather, and perfect for pretending we might just sneak by without digging out the heavy coats too soon.

But today, Michigan decided to remind me that it can’t stay this perfect forever. The clouds rolled in, and a little drizzle showed up. You know, the kind of drizzle that makes you hesitate between grabbing an umbrella or just walking through it because it’s so light, it’s almost not even worth the effort. I chatted with a few of my colleagues, and they agreed—this September has been a pleasant surprise. We’re all feeling cautiously optimistic, hoping we can squeeze out a few more of these perfect days before the cold arrives and takes up permanent residence.

Now, for those of you who might not be familiar with the equinox, here’s the deal: It’s the time of year when the sun is positioned directly over the equator, giving us roughly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. It’s like nature’s way of reminding us that life is about balance… right before throwing us into the long, chilly nights of winter where “balance” means trying to figure out how many layers of clothing you can wear and still move your arms.

While the equinox is a global event, we in Michigan like to treat it as our final warning. It’s that friendly nudge from Mother Nature saying, “Hey, enjoy this while it lasts, because soon you’ll be scraping ice off your windshield at 7 AM.” Let’s face it, the weather here has a mind of its own. One minute it’s all sunshine and autumn leaves, and the next, we’re bundled up in scarves wondering where our fingers went. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know better than to trust September’s sunny disposition completely. One minute you’re sipping iced tea on the porch, and the next, you’re hunting down your thermal socks.

But for now, I’m holding on to the hope that maybe, just maybe, we’ll get a little more sunshine before the cold sets in. And hey, if it doesn’t? At least we’ll have pumpkin-flavored everything to console us. Fall may not last as long as we’d like, but it’s full of its own kind of magic—crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, and apple cider that makes you forget about the impending snowstorm waiting just around the corner.

So, here’s to the equinox, our seasonal pit stop on the way to winter. Let’s enjoy these in-between days while we can. We know the drill: Michigan weather can change in a heartbeat. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get a few more strolls in your t-shirt before the temperature nosedives. If not, well, there’s always the joy of raking leaves, right?

Happy Fall, y’all!