LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

[This is a somewhat bittersweet time for me--the end of lovely weather and delicious garden produce--but there's always the beginning of my favorite season, Autumn, with its cooler days and beautiful colors. This post appeared in slightly different form a year ago, when COVID restrictions ruled our entire lives. Some things have changed, a little; some things remain up in the air. But for those of us still here and soldiering on, let's celebrate the seasons of our lives.]

Did you have a summer, despite COVID limitations? Because if you didn't, you have only 6 more days before the first day of Autumn 2021.

Here in Northeast Indiana the first days of Autumn can be hot and humid and sometimes rainy. Kids start out the day in shorts and by evening they may be wishing they had long pants on. Or vice versa. 

This is an unpredictable "season" in an unpredictable world. 

We've investigated transitions many times over the years that Thursday's Child has been coming to you. We make a transition each time we change our status--from single to married; from student to graduate; from one job to another job; and currently, from a job to a jobless state. I know it's a cliche, but transitions, which are another concept for change, are what life is all about.

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In the last days of my summer season, I've had open windows and screen doors letting in fresh air. Fortunately there was no strong breeze to whisk dust inside (we already have enough of that). 

My daughter and I haven't eaten our dinner on the patio this year--but our roasted chicken and root vegetables, with a side of sliced fresh tomatoes (drizzled with balsamic vinegar and garnished with fresh basil) taste just as good inside the house. 

Some days we have the air conditioning running to keep the humidity down. Other times, mostly nights, we have the heat thermostat set at 68 to keep the overnight chill from nipping our noses (some nights in the 40s already).

One thing for sure: We can't get bored--keeping track of the temperature and other weather stuff is ongoing and sometimes changes hour by hour.

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Now that Autumn is at hand, the grass is lush and green, though not growing as fast as it did a few weeks ago. The maples in the back yard are starting to lose their leaves, and have offered a handful with a lot of color. Both trees were trimmed this past summer, so there won't be the usual bumper crop of leaves up there waiting for the rakes and leaf blowers.

The grocery ads are gearing up for autumnal delicacies. Soon we'll be carving pumpkins, or cooking them, or possibly purchasing them in cans, or even--hate to say it--buying our desserts already prepared. Apples are begging to be made into pies and cakes and crisps and sauce. Blueberries and strawberries, along with mangoes and avocados, are on special this week. And one ad had mandarin oranges (in September!); they're my go-to fruit, along with apples, in the winter.

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I hope you've had some summer fun this year--that you had the opportunity to make memories (and they'll be really different this time!)--and that you found ways to enjoy your life and your family. It may not have been the Kodachrome summer you wanted, but I doubt if any of us will forget it soon.

Autumn is ready for us, even if we can't look forward to as many festivals and corn mazes and county fairs and carnivals as we've enjoyed in past years. Instead, we'll have another season to make our own fun.

As fast as this year is slipping away, we'll soon be wearing warm boots and heavy coats, and blowing or shoveling the white stuff. But not yet! Not yet! First, let's say good-bye to Summer and welcome Autumn in her colorful garb.

Have a blessed week!