Hmmmm....Now How Did That Happen?

When I drove to town yesterday, I noticed a lot of the underbrush was turning yellow and brown, in various stages. As I approached the last downhill run, the large and stately maples that lend their name to that area of the county were also beginning to sport the shades of change. As I often am wont to do, I asked myself how did we get here so fast? I guess that everything is on its usual schedule, but am I? In my mind, isn't it still mid-summer? That's what August does to me: life moves in to fast forward, and when I pick up my head to notice it, several days have flown by. But it's all good, because we are still here and kicking.

In the time since I last wrote, the weather continued on a most summery path. We had temps in the eighties, lots of sunshine, occasional rain. That's my idea of summer in abundance. For some in our household, it is more than they care to deal with, particularly if the humidity is high. But for me, I know how soon the change will come, so I try to lap up as much of it as I can. There are summers up here where I rarely change out of blue jeans. But this one, I was able to wear shorts a lot of the time, making use of that fabulous Hawaii wardrobe I'd invested in. What a delight to hear happy sounds coming from the beach area, for so many days in a row. How good to be gathering the fruits of the season while enjoying the summer sky. And what a delight to have evening campfires, with at least some stars. Unfortunately, the aurora borealis never made an appearance, but we are still keeping an eye out. Overall, it's been a great summer.

But on Sunday, sometime during the night, it began to change. The northwest wind rolled in, and with it came the cooler temps. Everyone is remarking on the switch from "dog days" to "fall is in the air". The crispness brightens our cheeks, for those up early enough to feel it. The days warm to the sixties (and soon back to the seventies), but we enjoy it knowing that the clock is ticking. The wind was our companion for two and a half days, and all of those nights. It finally settled to a dull roar, reminding me of my father using that phrase when we children were way too noisy for his weary ears. Now I understand.

The coolness is a relief, of course. From what I've been hearing, it's been almost beastly hot in many places. Folks coming up from parts south are happy to have the respite, able to sleep at night, and feel comfortable during the days. But after church on Sunday morning, I heard remarks about it feeling so abruptly cold. "If it were late winter, this would feel warm," said someone. Yet there we were in our long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, and for some of us, windbreakers, too. It's all relative. For now, I am happy that the wind has died, (there's not even a dull roar now!) and that the sunshine is bright and definitely warming. I'm not quite ready to let it all go. The treats of late summer are still out there waiting--the late-season flowers, the tang of woodsmoke in the air while the last of the marshmallows get roasted. But for those who live with me, I'm glad that they won't have to endure any more weather that's too hot.