It’s pretty obvious that I’ve refused to acknowledge fall’s arrival 10 days ago — even in the face of the horrible weather that’s plagued Chicago this past week.

One day it was gale force winds (actually, I’m not sure how much force needs to be exerted to rate gale, but it was pretty severe); then it was temps that were hard pressed to break 60 degrees; and finally came the chilly, steady rain.

All these signals that the garden’s days are numbered, yet still I’m in that happy state called denial, fueled by the combination of hope and unreasoned belief that tell me there will be — have to be — a few more good days ahead.

And why not apply a little positive thinking? After all, my Nigella has only just started revealing its dazzling blue blooms, my Isis candy heirloom tomatoes are still changing from green to golden on a daily basis, and there are fresh buds of the mighty zinnia envy.

So, I overlook the fact that my huge coleus plant sits bruised and broken after the west winds whipped my balcony garden, and the fact that my sweet basil was knocked over more times than I can count.

I just deny, deny, deny, and cross my fingers that warm weather will let out a last breathy October gasp.

Are you raging against the onslaught of fall as well? I’d love to hear about it…

[photos, from top: Nigella, Isis candy heirloom tomatoes and zinnia envy]