What Is That Feeling In The Air?
Author: Bill Garwood
What is that Feeling in the Air?
Ah, it’s that glorious cooler air that only comes from the beginning of autumn - or if you stick your head into the freezer, which is not recommended. This is the time of year called the “in between,” not summer and not winter. Yes, we call it fall or autumn but we all know it’s the cool down.
The seasons are a wonderful thing - when we get them separately, not all at once! For some reason, many folks tend to want to hurry into the holidays. I love the holiday season but I wouldn’t mind if it didn’t push us to be “festive” then get it over with. C’mon, we need to enjoy our seasons. Summer is all about getting out camping, fishing, killing large animals, etc. During fall, around here, we all look forward to Fall Fest, the celebration of the harvest and the beginning of the holiday season. I think of it as “flannel shirt season".
This summer, we have been very lucky; we had plenty of rain, so only a few folks will be griping about drought. In the middle of any large rainstorm, you can hear someone say: “Well, we need the moisture”. True, we always need water; some of us, more than others, could use a shower. The lush green has been spectacular this year; the town looks so inviting. Our fruit trees are full and overflowing, needing some serious pruning next year.
We should give thanks to the Creator for our summer, even though there were still a few 90s days I could have done without. So here we are in September. If you look, some of the trees are already starting to turn and my squirrels are getting fat. The birds are eating like there is no tomorrow, feathery little heathens! Some people are even looking for Pumpkin Spice. Signs are there that are point to a heavy winter - well, we can use the moisture. Did I say that? As an old radio show once said, “Heavy weather ahead, tether your elephants”.
Enjoy our last few days of summer. Get the last of the mowing done. The neighborhood roosters are sounding off, like a Hollywood starlet, crowing every time a flash bulb goes off. We haven’t seen as many deer wandering around our residential areas, yet. That is a beautiful sight, nature’s wild animals wandering around our town, eating our flowers. Nature at its best.
Start preparing for cooler weather. Don Walters will be out and about draining our sprinklers. Didn’t know that was one of the signs of autumn, did you? Then, like the bears, Don will go into hibernation for the winter. Don’t feed him; he gets grumpy.
Remember, the price of candy is going up a bit, so buy it now! Halloween will be here before you know it - we have to feed the little urchins. Be safe, the young ones are back in school, go slow on the streets. Best wishes and a happy cool down. Excelsior!
