Countdown to Fall–The Final Observations of Summer

And so, as the sun sets on the final full day of summer, even though I can’t see it because it’s been cloudy all day, the sights I’ve seen show that, while things are still mostly green in my area, the summer solstice is definitely losing its grip on our physical reality.

It isn’t just the color changes which are slowly overtaking the shrubs and trees.  Plants which were thriving in the late summer have now matured and are dying back, some with roots that will survive to send up growth next year and some which have dropped seeds to begin again.  In their place, the fall asters, goldenrod, late morning glories and the like are giving us color which will also fade in a matter of weeks.  For those who mow, you probably have noticed and are thrilled that your lawn or experimental weed factory isn’t growing as quickly as it was just a few weeks ago.  Sure, just when you don’t work up a sweat during mowing, you don’t have to do it so much, although I do know one fanatic who mows right up until the first snow. 

As I noted earlier, the bird songs have diminished.  The migration has begun and a number of species have already begun the trip south.  In their place, the songs of the birds which remain year-round become more noticeable.  The variety of singers may be less, but their songs are still welcome.

There are several marinas nearby and boats are slowly being hauled out of the water and either prepped for winter storage or hitched onto pickups and taken home for the season.  The people hanging out at beaches aren’t swimming anymore.  The land activities now rule.  Home improvements to prepare for the cold are now in full swing.

Speaking of cold weather, the fuel oil trucks are starting to roll in greater numbers than they did just a month ago.  People are stocking up on wood and wood pellets as well.  They’re having all manner of house heating equipment serviced to make sure it starts and keeps going.  Everybody want to be prepared for that chilly morning when they can no longer avoid cranking the thermostat up just a few degrees.

The first day of fall will likely look a lot like today, although it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow in my area.  The changes which are occurring aren’t going to suddenly speed up just because September 23rd has arrived.  It might seem like it in some ways, but really, the season comes in on its own timetable.

Only 1 day until Fall.