Somebody lend me a sweater

When did it get so cold? Saturday, when we left for the beach, it was still summer. Today it feels like fall. I'm wearing flip flops and my toes are icy.

I have low tolerance for freezing, and unfortunately it's going to be about six months before I'm consistently warm again.

At least my car -- which boasts failing air conditioning, unreliable door locks, a broken GPS system that's hopelessly outdated anyway, no working clock, and lately doesn't start on the first try -- has great heat.

Admittedly, a lot of people love this time of year. The leaves are beautiful and you can use your fireplace and there's a new TV season to look forward to -- not to mention football.

But farmer's markets, vacations, fresh fruit, sunroofs, milkshakes, eating outdoors and all the other things I love about spring and summer are about to be a distant memory.

Plus, everything just seems more complicated when it's cold.

Dressing is no longer a matter of skirts and flip flops -- you have to pull out your closed-toe shoes and "dry clean only" pants.

Running outside no longer means risking heat stroke, but it gets dark before dinner. And if you do wake up early to run outside you have to pile on layers of clothes. But usually you just wind up on the treadmill, bored stiff.

Also, I don't like the foods that are popular this time of year. I would be happy if I never saw another platter of candied yams, stuffing, cranberry sauce or any of the other typical fall/winter dishes.

Don't even get me started on the traditional New Year's Day meal. Black-eyed peas? Collard greens? I'll take my chances on an unlucky year.

I admit that leftover turkey is good in sandwiches, and of course I love Halloween candy.

Speaking of which, how is it possible that two weeks ago Wal-Mart already had entire aisles devoted to Halloween and Thanksgiving?

This has been the fastest year of my life.

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How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's noon.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
- Dr. Seuss