Philadelphia in the fall

I move to Philadelphia in the fall about a year ago. At that time, I fell head-over-heels in love with this city. The city is very pedestrian and bicyclist friendly. It is filled with old-world-city charm (think small streets, rowhouses, lots of cafes and independently owned restaurants and stores). I moved into a great neighborhood in South Philly; easy walking distance to really good food supplies to let me cook to my heart's delight. It was lovely and wonderful. So what if there is a bit of trash every where I look? So what if I had to be constantly vigilant that I don't step on the ever present dog poop on every sidewalk?

Winter and spring, Philly is still quite nice. Spring, especially because there are very many flowering bushes and trees- more variety here than any other city I've lived. Magnolias, lindens, cherries, pears- to name a few. The air is rich with fragrance. Mostly in a good way because the air is light (not yet heavy with humidity), breezy, and, more often than not, sweetly scented. Yes, the dog poop and trash is still every where, but with so many things in the spring to distract the nose and eye, it is less of a problem. But not the same as that "I'm dizzy with love" feeling that I had in the fall.

Summer is not Philly's season. It is humid (so my asthma acts up), it smells (with increase in humidity and temp, the dog poop, trash, and sewer smells are every present), and just all around hot and not fun. I'm happy that my garden does well in the summer but really, I can do without the rest of the city in the summer.

Then the other day, I walked around my neighborhood and felt the same pull on my heart I felt a year ago for this city of brotherly love. The air was mild. It didn't smell as much. People are just chilling outside. It is fall again in Philly and I'm in love again.