The First Cold Morning
The Field Review: TFR-028
There’s something about the first truly cold morning. You step outside, and the air bites back. It’s not the polite chill of early fall. No, this is the real deal.
It catches you off guard, even if you knew it was coming. That thin line between seasons has been crossed, and suddenly, you’re questioning why you waited until now to hang up the Christmas lights.
Unlike birthdays or holidays, there’s no set calendar date for this change. No countdown. It sneaks up on you, slipping in through the cracks of your daily routine. One day it’s still mild, and the next, you’re looking for gloves you swore you wouldn’t need yet.
The first cold morning doesn’t ask permission—it just arrives, unapologetic, indifferent to your preparedness, or lack thereof.
A Mark in Time
The first cold morning isn’t just a change in temperature; it’s a measurement. Another season, another chapter in a year that’s moved faster than you expected. It’s not as loud as New Year’s Eve or as celebratory as a birthday, but it hits with the same weight. It reminds you that time isn’t waiting, and that you’ve unknowingly completed another lap around the sun.
The seasons change on their own schedule, indifferent to your plans or your pace. You don’t get to prepare for it. You don’t even get to decide how you feel about it. It’s just there, nudging you toward reflection. Another year, another shift. How did we get here again?
The Subtle Shift
That first cold morning brings with it a mandatory shift in routine. Maybe it’s a thicker jacket, a slower start to warm up the car, or an extra cup of coffee just to hold the heat in your hands.
And yet, there’s a beauty in this transition. The leaves crunch underfoot, the pale light of early mornings, the way your breath escapes into the clouds.
Cold weather is also a signal for what’s to come. The whitetail rut kicks into high gear, and waterfowl start their long migration south. The creatures without calendars know it’s time to move on. Nature doesn’t waste time debating whether it’s ready for the change, it just adapts.
These quiet acknowledgments of the changing season remind you that life isn’t static. The world moves forward, and so must you.
The Cold Will Come
The first cold morning isn’t good or bad—it just is. It shows up every year, uninvited but reliable, a quiet testament to the inevitability of change. You can fight it, ignore it, or embrace it, but none of that changes the fact that it’s here.
Maybe that’s the beauty of it. In a world that often feels unpredictable, the changing seasons offer a steady rhythm. The best you can do is be present enough to notice them—and maybe even appreciate them for what they are.
Because when you really think about it, there’s a certain comfort in the inevitability of the season. The first cold morning may catch you by surprise, but it’s also a quiet reminder that some things will always stay the same.
From My Desk:
What I’m Thinking About: Christmas lights. We apparently have snow present in our 10-Day forecast.
On Deck for Monday: Prepping for a client presentation that requires a flight down to Dallas on Tuesday. Reminding myself to be thankful for the opportunity this time of year.
From The Field Review Archives:
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Venture Onward,
Jack
This was beautifully written. That first cold morning really does feel like a checkpoint—something so simple, yet so profound. I love how you’ve captured the tension between the inevitability of change and the comfort it offers.
Also, your point about nature adapting without hesitation is such a powerful metaphor. It’s a reminder that even as we brace for the unexpected, there’s value in leaning into life’s rhythms instead of resisting them. Wishing you safe travels to Dallas and a successful presentation!
The first cold morning brings an invigorating chill of change. Some see opportunities and dash in to the cold, others see opportunities and snuggle at home. Nature never stops changing.