Bring on fall

Don’t look now, but autumn (a.k.a fall) starts this weekend.

Sunday to be exact. Summer ends bright and early at 7:44 am that day. “What,” you say, “how can that be? It seems like summer just started.



” Well, sure, I guess you could feel that way. I think I just stowed away Memorial Day decorations days ago. Others of you will say, “It’s about time!” After all, the kids went back to school over a month ago.

That’s supposed to be a fall activity, so it took awhile for the seasonal calendar to catch up with reality. Football is a little ahead of the curve as well. Typically referred to as a “fall sport,” high schools are over a third of the way through their schedules by the time the seasons change.

But that’s OK. One of the things many people say they like about living in our area is the changing of the seasons. So, bring on fall.

It’s a thought that occurred to me while mowing on yet another hot summer-type day this week. Knowing fall was eminent, I pondered for a little bit about what I will like — and not like — about the change in seasons. I look forward to not mowing as often.

I know the weekly routine that takes over an hour-and-a-half isn’t crippling, but I’m ready for the ritual stowing of the mower to the rear of the garage. It won’t happen for a while yet, but it’s good to know that it’s pending. Conversely, I’m not looking forward to the other half of the “stowing of the mower” ritual.

To make room for it in the back of the garage, I must move the snowblower to its previous location near the front of the garage. As much I may dread another trip around the yard with the mower, I really don’t want to have to start using the snowblower. I shouldn’t have to worry about it until December I’m hoping, but just its presence in plain sight sends shivers up my spine.

I look forward to fall colors. It’s something I seem to notice and appreciate more in recent years. When the trees put on their fine colored clothes for those few weeks of the fall, it can actually lift your spirits.

It’s always a good idea to figure out when the colors seem to be peaking and go for a drive to savor it even more. Regular destinations for us include north into the Sandhills, or along the Missouri River valley into Missouri. Both ideal locations for “leafing” (it’s what New Englanders call it when tourist invade their sleepy villages to look at fall colors), if you’re looking for ideas of where to go.

On the other hand, I’m not looking forward to the bare trees that follow the colorful displays. Empty branches are depressing. Even worse, I don’t look forward to the fact all those colorful leaves end up on my lawn.

Raking up leaves is one fall ritual I could do without. I look forward to cooler temps. I’m a little tired of these 80-80 days – 80-degree temps and 80-percent humidity.

Or is it 90-90? Whatever it is, I’m ready for a break. However, let’s not get carried away. Fifty-something this weekend will feel bad enough.

Anything near or below freezing can wait until I write the “things I don’t like about winter” column. I look forward to football in football weather. Oh sure, it has been good for the fans — and players — that the early football season has been played in ideal conditions.

But football should have high winds, driving rain, a little snowfall, seeing the breath of the players. Not every week, but — from the comfort of my easy chair — it’s fun to watch the fall season sport being played in fall season conditions. Don’t get me wrong.

I don’t wish that much evil on the sport. Well, maybe just until a traditional southern team has to come to a northern campus to play a newly formatted December playoff game. That’s a lot of fall season “point-counterpoint.

” I guess it just goes to show I’m ready. I look forward to fall. And dread what must follow.

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