Dusty Sweaters, Floating Ladders, and River Bottoms

My sweaters and boots have been giving me side-eye for the past month. They’ve been watching me walk out of my place in shorts, sundresses, and sandals, wondering when it’s going to be their turn for some fun. With climate change taking its toll, Autumn has been making me wonder whether it’s actually here or if it’s Summer in disguise.

This month, my hiking group went kayaking. The landscape was beautiful, and the experience was fun, but we couldn’t help but notice two things. One, ladders that were supposed to lead from people’s homes to the water surface appeared to levitate since the water level was yards lower than historical levels. Two, our kayaks got stuck on stretches that weren’t deep enough for us to smoothly paddle through due to the low water levels. Which (technically) helped the poor soul whose kayak flipped over to stand up easier…if we’re looking on the bright side.

My favorite season is presenting itself differently this year, and I wonder if we’ve reached the point where this is going to be the new norm. Everyday experiences like this reignite my sense of purpose in continuing to slow and mitigate the effects of climate change. It’s presenting itself differently in each of our lives whether through the temperature, air quality, or price changes in the supermarkets. While I continue to delve deeper into my sustainability work, I’ll reminisce on the traditional feelings of fall with homemade maple apple blondies and hot apple cider.

Happy Fall, Y’all…

Kiana Rodgers