Issue 3: Indian summer at the beach

It was one of those rare, late-autumn days when the air turns warm again, defying the season’s usual chill. Indian Summer had arrived — a brief return to the softness of summer in the heart of fall. The weather felt too perfect to stay inside, so you packed a simple basket, filled with bread, cheese, and fruit, and grabbed your linen tablecloth, the one you always used for moments like these.

You drove toward the sea, the winding road framed by trees just beginning to show their autumn colors. Golds and reds mixed with the green, as if nature itself couldn’t decide whether to hold onto summer or embrace the coming winter. As you neared the coast, you could smell the salt in the air before you even caught sight of the ocean. That familiar scent, mingling with the warmth, promised a day unlike any other.

Arriving at the beach, you found it nearly deserted. The usual summer crowds had long since gone, leaving behind only the vast stretch of sand and the steady, calming rhythm of the waves. The sea was quieter now, less hurried, as if even the ocean had slowed its pace for this rare warm day in the fall.

You chose a spot close to the water, where the sand was firm and cool underfoot. The wind was gentle, just enough to stir the edge of your linen tablecloth as you spread it out. The fabric, light and crisp, settled neatly over the sand, bringing a touch of elegance to the natural setting. Sitting there, with the sun still high but softer than it had been in the height of summer, you felt the warmth sink into your skin. It wasn’t the sharp heat of July, but a gentle, lingering warmth that seemed to carry the memory of summer within it.

The sky was a clear, pale blue, with only a few thin clouds drifting lazily overhead. The horizon seemed to stretch endlessly, the line where the sea met the sky blurred by the golden light of the sun.

You ate slowly, savoring the simplicity of the meal as much as the moment itself. The bread, still warm from the morning’s oven, was rich and comforting, the cheese smooth and mild. The fruit, plucked from late-season trees, was sweet but with a hint of autumn’s crispness. Each bite felt like a reminder of the season’s change — summer’s abundance giving way to autumn’s richness.

Walking back to the car, you took one last look at the sea, now a deeper blue as the evening approached. The waves, still steady, seemed to mirror the calm inside you. There was something about this day, this Indian Summer by the sea, that felt special. It was as if you had been given a small window back to summer, a chance to pause and breathe before the year fully turned toward winter.

The warmth was fading, the breeze cooler now. With one last glance at the calm, quiet ocean, you turned to leave, knowing this Indian Summer day had been a fleeting gift — a memory of warmth to carry with you into the cold months ahead. New season is coming!