Here in Massachusetts, we are finally moving into the perpetually chilly days of mid-autumn. Not cold enough yet to need a hat during the day, but in the evenings, hats and scarves are definitely becoming more than fashion accessories. There’s part of me that thrills to this sort of weather: the brisk air, the cozy clothing, the beautiful drives through farmland, and all the oranges, reds, yellows and browns that beg for the small comforts of a warm fire, a mug of tea, and the company of good friends.

That’s the creative part of my brain that sees the romance in everything. The more chemical-driven part of my brain is determined that this is the season to make me miserable. The last two or three weeks I have been sluggish, headachy, lethargic, and just plain out-of-sorts. It takes significant effort for me to get started in the morning, especially before the sun has risen, and it’s not uncommon for me to be falling asleep and/or in bed by 8:45 at night. Both of these habits are going to make 50,000 words in 30 days very difficult. I’ve never been particularly fond of the daylight savings shift - I’ve preferred more of my daylight in the evenings, in the past - but mornings are prime creative time for me, and this year I’ll be glad for anything to help me climb out from under the covers early enough to get an extra half hour of writing done. I’m considering setting alarms in various other rooms of my apartment to make it more difficult to roll over and go back to sleep.

Despite these difficulties, I really am enjoying the manifold benefits of the season. The tasty winter squashes, the soups,the hot drinks, and all the hats and sweaters and scarves and socks that I can make to keep myself nice and toasty. Later this week, or maybe this weekend, I intend to try this recipe for Pumpkin Ginger Nut muffins. And last night I treated myself and a friend to a filling, homey New England meal that I haven’t had since childhood: beans n’ franks. Yum. Exactly the sort of easy comfort food I’ve been craving.