Friday, after our rain drenched, street flooding, national news making week, I walked outdoors into what was clearly fall. The air was crisp and cool (for Wilmington) and I had visions of picking apples in an orchard, like we did the year we got married (and I did most years before that). Visions of cider and pumpkin cake donuts, orange and green speckled gourds in every grocery store, and a flavorful mix of Halloween and Harvest in every store.

Fall has failed this year. Or perhaps it is Wilmington that has failed Fall. JC Penney and Lowe’s have Christmas trees. The closest “You Pick” apple orchards are hours away. And perhaps, worst of all, after running errands to two different grocery stores, I could not find that essential fall staple – apple cider.

Wilmington, you make me sad.