The Days of Summer are Winding Down...

Although Autumn does not officially arrive until September 22nd, most of us consider fall a done deal after Labor Day. We may have hot temperatures, but we don't consider them the norm. School starts and the kids are ready to move on from their summer sports, swimming dates, vacation plans ,and leisurely schedules that occupied their time for the last three months.

Meteorologically-speaking (thank goodness I am writing that and not saying it aloud) the season begins on September 1st. This actually aligns more with how we see the end of summer. What was once a necessity in a farming region, school started after the bulk of the growing was done and harvesting began. Hence a later start than at least Illinois dictates now. June, July, and August were not lazy days, but busy. Sure, holiday celebrations and hot-weather activities were wonderful, but not a season by itself. After the work was done, swimming holes, picnics, family reunions, and county fairs were enjoyed. Vacation it was not.

Replacing those simpler times, the evidence speaks for itself. School starts, football begins, homecoming parades, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple-picking, raking leaves, and mums replace petunias at our doorstep. For all intents and purposes, we have started Autumn. As the climate slows down, we are revving up again.

With all the season brings, take some time to enjoy the last of the summer weather and welcome the cooler, shorter ones. Revel in the more colorful days as the leaves burnout in glorious hues. Winter is a whole other story and a little too long.

Until next time...