The way things are going around here we might remember this as The Year Without A Summer. I know, I know, there are always some hot sunny days in September, and we all act astonished and say “Imagine! Here it is the middle of September and it’s really hot!” but I’m not counting on it this year. Fortunately I love autumn. I do not mind that there are little signs here and there that my favorite season is coming. There’s a touch of red at the top of a maple, a curl of fluffy seedhead looking for all the world like a caterpillar . . . and the Weather Widget says it’s nippy out there. Little signs.
On the other hand—and I cannot emphasize this too strongly, Mama Nature—those of us who have been beavering away all “summer” storing up nuts for the winter would not mind at all if we got to enjoy just a little bit of warmth and sunshine. The week after Labor Day would be nice. Yes indeedy, that would be nice.
OK, I see that I have mixed my metaphors pretty badly up there, but I’m disinclined to fix it. Rob the Firefighter is here for a quick visit, and I have other fish to fry. Or perhaps beavers, or squirrels, take your choice.
Torch Lake Views 
Molly
August 27, 2009
Gerry, my parents live in Torch Lake Township and I love to get a taste of “home” from your blog. Thanks for writing it.
Gerry
August 31, 2009
You’re welcome, Molly. It’s nice to hear that you enjoy it.
p.j. grath
August 27, 2009
A friend brought me a hazelnut recently, still in the little wrapper Nature provided. I’ll have to post its picture on my blog soon, before it gets lost in the shuffle. Ah, September! How I love not going back to school!
Gerry
August 31, 2009
Me too! Me too!
flandrumhill
August 28, 2009
Gerry, it’s already autumnish here. It sure got cool the past couple of days. The birds have been gathering in the marsh for the past couple of weeks. Marsh grass is turning golden. I have greatly lowered my expectations for ‘normal’ summer weather, whatever that is. But I wouldn’t mind being surprised.
Pamela, I actually miss not going back to school. Ah… the scent of new Crayola crayons fresh in the package 🙂
Gerry
August 28, 2009
I had forgotten about fresh Crayolas. I may have to go buy some and use those, rather than markers, for the next Recreation Plan Committee meeting. Put all of us in a playful mood maybe, eh?
Scott Thomas Photography
August 28, 2009
Sigh…we got nippy weather even around here today. I have to agree, the summer of 2009 was not one to remember.
Gerry
August 28, 2009
Not fondly anyway, although I remember rainy summer days on Esopus Creek when the Sell Girls and the Stauning Girls played endless games of Monopoly on the screened porch. Our mothers drank coffee, their voices murmuring through the rain patter. It was all very peaceful. Things are more complicated now. Besides, I don’t have anyone to play Monopoly with today. Sigh indeed.