I confess. I hate, hate, hate summer. All that sun, surf, heat–it’s enough to drive me indoors for good. Not for me the swimming, boating, outdoorsy activities that have hordes of the rest of you pining for Memorial Day weekend. 
Kind of weird considering I was born on an island. Would I have been more of a beach bunny had we remained there? Maybe. Maybe not.
All I know is that my own particular chemical makeup yearns for cool weather, the crunch of fallen leaves, the evocative scent of wood smoke from a fireplace. I pine for the sharp autumn air, the gorgeous promise of sweater weather, honeycrisp apples and hot tea (though I will admit to a fondness for summer fruits).
How did an island-born, Florida & Texas raised gal get to be a lover of autumn?
I will lay a huge portion of the credit down to reading Trixie Belden as an impressionable 10-year-old. Trixie was so awesome! Thirteen and going on adventures in the wilds of White Plains, NY. They rode horses and had this thing called “Indian Summer” (a term which I promptly looked up, but confused the heck out of me). I fell in love with this world (even more so than Nancy Drew, who, at her advanced age of 18 seemed so out of reach).
I wanted to be a Bob-White and have adventures, too. I wanted to go to White Plains (so exotic!), learn to ride English style, and eventually, I wanted to live at Crabapple Farm, have brothers and a best friend like Honey Wheeler.
Eventually, I learned to ride a horse (Western, not English). I visited my late father’s ranch (in Mexico) and never have made it to White Plains…though I’ve been several places in New York state.
Instead of living Trixie’s adventures, I write my own–and set them in the Texas Hill Country, which, in retrospect, became my version of Trixie’s world–a small town, semi-isolated from the hustle & bustle of the “real” world, populated by a close-knit group of friends and family. Yup. I got the pattern, and I owe it to Trixie and her friends.
Readers, what book(s) or stories influenced you someway in real life?
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It’s funny that you ask this question, I tend to be attracted books that I can somehow relate too except for the Twilight Series. For example, I am reading a hilarious british chicklit novel called”The Hopeless Romantic” which I totally relate to because I am by far. Another favorite book of mine is called Me and Mr. Darcy. The main characters’ experiences in Bath, England, reminded me so much of my trip there several years ago. I remember thinking to myself that Jane Austen walked these same streets!
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Ooh, Bath! That’s on my bucket list.
I do love getting completely hooked by a book/series and then wanting to experience the places.
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I grew up near White Plains (in Tarrytown). lol We used to go shopping a lot at The Galleria Mall.
I live in the south now and fall is my favorite season and like you I absolutely hate summer. lol I miss living in NY, especially during this time of year.
You have got to visit White Plains AND Tarrytown (if you haven’t been already), especially Tarrytown (which shares a zip code with Sleepy Hollow – The Headless Horsemen/Washington Irving).
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I’ve not actually been to White Plains yet! I love that it’s Washington Irving country near there.
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My mother never liked Nancy Drew but loved Trixie Belden. Hence I was raised wanting to be a Bobwhite as well! I wonder if there is a direct correlation to love of Fall as it is also my favorite season. When I get the summer blues I go Trixie Belden book trolling at thrift stores and used bookstores.
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LOL, love the idea of trolling the bookstores to cure summer blues! I’m excited that the books are started to come out as e-books, but still love my old 70′s copies.