What Do You Love/Hate About Fall in the Puget Sound?

I know how Fall can feel, especially with this first day of the season weather dragging us ever so slightly into the dumps at my house.

This past weekend, we asked Patch Facebook fans what they look forward to (and perhaps dread a litle) in the fall, to help us all brighten our spirits. My own two cents? I love how green everything is with the rain, and how good the moist air is for my skin. In my old hometown in Eastern Washington, I used a lot--I mean a LOT of skin lotion--here I hardly ever need it.

The downside? I don't mind walking Miss Minnie in the dark of the early morning, and I don't much mind walking her in the rain, but when it's dark and raining, I sometimes find myself wishing she would sleep in a little more. And rain doesn't appear to deter her from taking her time and sniffing for the muddiest spots on the property to take care of business.

From our readers on Kirkland Patch and Redmond Patch, Fall things to enjoy and look forward to:

Emily Papel says Fall is her favorite season: "I'm so glad it's back." Others, like Redmond Saturday Market, Kimberly Ralphs Bowes, Vicki Behrens, and Gettha Reddy, said they love the changing colors of the trees. Reddy went a step further to--(gasp!)--express her appreciation of the rain.

Others of us turn our minds to hearty food and drink. From Sarah Hawes Kimsey, who looks forward to crock pot stew and pumpkin bread, to Kristin Olson Terpstra and Kim Martin Bannerman who love being able to cook or relax with a cup of coffee without "sweating to death" or feeling like they have to be outside enjoying the sun. Marsha McKernan says she will take her food and drinks hot, thank you--but not necessarily spicy.

And sorry, Spring, but Bannerman and Cami Fitting Mahan like a little cleaning and organizing the house. Afterward, Mahan likes to curl up in some comfy socks and sweats with a bowl of soup.

Geoff Levy summed up his favorite thing about the return of fall in one succinct word: "football."

A few people, like Tina Fisk-Frost, Natasha GB, and Randy Randolph are just counting the calendar days until the sun peeks out, and what a glorious summer we had! When asked what she loves about the return of fall, Fisk-Frost summed up a sentiment that I predict will be expressed more frequently as the season marches on--especially if the rainy weather continues long: "Only that it is one day closer to the sunny season!"

Tell us, what do you love or hate about Fall on the West Side, and what are your tips for getting through the rainy season?