I have been writing this blog for one year now, I thought I would share two of my posts from last September. This has been a year with many changes: I qualified for Medicare, a close friend lost her husband, I lost a brother, my grandchildren moved 13 time zones away from me, I lost roommates, I had visitors, I hiked farther than ever, I took a road trip with a friend, I had incredible challenges and changes on both jobs, I bought a new big wonderful camera . . . I had another September birthday . . .
What is your September song?
Laguna Mountain, San Diego County
What is September like in your part of the world? Is it leaves starting to turn, days getting shorter? James Taylor sings in “September Grass”:
“Well, the sun’s not so hot in the sky today
And you know I can see summertime slipping on away
A few more geese are gone, a few more leaves turning red
But the grass is as soft as a feather in a feather bed”
Is your September song about shopping for school supplies; college schedules, backpacks and an empty house to yourself?
Earth Wind and Fire sang this about September:
“Ba de ya – say do you remember?
Ba de ya – dancing in September,
Ba de ya – never was a cloudy day,
Ba de ya – say do you remember?
Ba de ya – dancing in September,
Ba de ya – golden dreams were shiny days.”
In Southern California where I live, September is often our hottest time of the year. We go back to school in shorts and challenge the electrical grid with our need for relief from 90 degree + plus temperature. September may bring our infamous “Santa Anas.” These are hot, dry easterly winds instead of our usual coastal breezes. These desert winds are filled with the smell of sage and wildness. Humidity goes down to zero, hair flies with static electricity and we hold our breath, hoping against wild fires.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Is your September song about a special relationship, or a special place?
Chris Daughtry (American Idol) sang a tribute to Septembers growing up in a small town in North Carolina.
“All the things I still remember
Summers never look the same
Years go by and time just seems to fly
But the memories remain
In the middle of September
We still played out in the rain
Nothing to lose but everything to gain
Reflecting now on how things could’ve been
It was worth it in the end”
Is your September song about change? Frank Sinatra sang . . .”Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days, I’ll spend with you.”
My September song is usually about me. It is my birthday month. And this particular September, I celebrate a watershed birthday. I am an official senior citizen with a Medicare card. Where did my life go, how did I get this far without getting everything done? What is left to do? What relationships need nourished? Where is my bucket list?
For me, this September is not a time for regrets, but for reflection. Improvements. Fine tuning. Where do I go from here?
For one thing, I started this blog and want to continue working on my photography. Where else will I go with this season of my life?
My photo for this September, 2011: my flag flying at my house on September 11, 2011, honoring those who suffered and lost their lives.
And my song? “God Bless America.”
What is your September song? Send me a photo of September in your world, or a line from a song, or just let me know what September means to you. This blog is about photography and “us.”
“And these few precious days, I’ll spend with you.”
Listen to Frank:
Geri Wilson's Room 