Summer Fell Into Fall

Early Fall in Minnesota is a lot like Late Summer in Minnesota. Unpredictable. Occasional storms. Occasional heat waves. Summer one day. Fall the next. Fall in the morning, Summer in the afternoon. When it comes to weather, Minnesota hasn't a clue what it is doing.

But last night, last night was different. It really felt like fall. There was a bite in the air as we zipped up our sweatshirts and pulled down our long sleeves.  That cold air made our ears cold and noses sniffle. But last night was also the first fall bonfire.  It was fantastic. All the rain earlier in the week made me worry that the wood we were saving would be waterlogged.  But of course, it wasn't. We burned a lot of twigs and branches from a pruned tree along with the logs that were ready for use. We had exactly what we needed to keep us warm and to ward off most of the bugs. These bugs will be gone in the better part of two weeks.  And then our skin will be given 6 long months of winter to heal before we are assaulted  again by the Minnesota state bird, the mosquito.

This summer was so very hot for about a month stretch.  Minnesota actually set a record for how many days it was over 90 with high humidity.  Well that was enough of that. But then I said the same of the snow storm that hit us last April 15th. That didn't just close schools, it pretty much shut the whole state down.  Apparently I like it when it is 75 and sunny. No rain, no humidity.  I just want it to be beautiful about 300 days a year. That may be a little too much to ask, but I still like the sound of it.

But now, as we enter into a season of everything pumpkins and apples, and warm scarves and sweaters and mittens, I will welcome it fully. Summer fell into fall.  And I fall in love with fall. I fall in love with the scents and the tastes and the beautiful changes I see around me.  The leaves become the most beautiful tapestry you have ever seen. Reds and oranges and yellows and lighter greens.  Our green surroundings are not missed when replaced by these beautiful colors.  But then, all good things do come to a end.  Those leaves turn brown and they crumble and fall. They become a floor that we must walk on until the snow begins to fall and and sheet of permanent ice begins to form as we prepare for a long winter.

But again, when winter has given us its last hurrah, and has fought the good fight, the snow begins to melt, the buds on the trees turn green and grass begins to show itself again.  Spring arrives and not a moment too soon.  So I will treasure this fall, I will tolerate the winter, I will anticipate spring, and bask in the summer sun.  Four perfect seasons that seem to fall into each other. I plan to fall in love with each one.