Summer Passing

Back in September, did you notice the shortening days, the return of morning dew, the ripening of tomatoes, fattening of corn, bolting of lettuce, seeding of spent summer blooms, brown-edged leaves drifting one by one down to the dry ground? The quiet signs that summer was retiring for another year. The quiet reminders that fall awaited to wrap us in her misted mornings and early darkness. Reminders that our remaining days of weeding and watering and sipping afternoon wine in the sun on the patio were few. Reminders to finish our harvesting and get on with planting our spring bulbs before rains, winds and frosts arrived.

I did notice the ever-darker mornings, I did plant bulbs and clean up the veggie garden, but until the lights went out yesterday, I hadn’t really transitioned from one season to the other. I hadn’t quite moved my focus indoors. I’ve now pulled out the candles, charged up my head lamp and brought in some firewood. Ready for the next outage.

I’m watching my water cisterns refill after the summer’s draught and feel a sense of relief. My stream is flowing again and today I donned boots and raincoat when I went to let the goats out of their barn. They are proclaiming their disapproval of this first decent rainstorm of the season.

Like the goats, I relish long summer days. Old joints don’t ache in the summer’s warmth. I like not bundling up in coat and long pants when I got outside to complete my many tasks. I like doors and windows open to let the lavender-scented breeze slip in and fill my home with a sense of well-being. I like pruning roses and cutting sweet peas for bouquets, picking greens for dinner, and relaxing, lazy in the sun, a book in hand after a morning’s toil. I am a child of the summer. This transition to rainy dark days might be necessary but I don’t find it easy.

While hibernation is tempting, I’ve made a list of inside chores that need attention … it’s a long list. Best get at it, or spring will be here before it’s complete.