Chill of an early fall

I looked at the date on my watch today and realized that September is almost over and it is now officially fall. This month has gone so fast. I was not ready for autumn's arrival, but the signs that it was coming have been apparent for a while now. Shorter, cooler days. Some trees are already changing color. There has been some rain.

Fall can be a beautiful season in Oregon, but here in the western part of the state it also means that the gray, rainy winter season is not far behind. And the gray days seem to go on forever once they set in.

It's been an interesting month. I have probably driven 2,000 miles so far this month in parts of Oregon and Washington. On one hand, it has been nice to see some places and people I have not seen in a long time and people and places I don't see often enough. But it's made me realize that I really haven't made the place I've lived the last couple of years my home. My ties to the Northwest are based too much on long ago or people too far away.

I feel like a wondering vine, with my roots in one place, but my tendrils stretch far away from that nourishing soil that sustains me. I need some roots where I am. I need some connection here.

I have always been the type of person that is slow to make friends, and am cautious about who I commit to as a friend, but when I do those friendships are deep, meaningful and important. I want more of those type of relationship here.

But I miss friends who are miles away. I miss them especially now, on the nights when there is a chill in the air and I crave warm arms wrapped around me, making me feel safe and warm and at home in my own skin.