Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Seasons Fleetings

And just like that, summer is over.  Just a week after 90 degree weather, the temperatures have dipped to the 50s and never really recovered.  The air is no longer as wet and humid.  Patches of pale yellow are popping up in trees around the neighborhood. 

Autumn is my favorite season, mostly because there's a vibrancy in the air, especially after the long, lazy days of summer.  The air is brisk and invigorating and the skies are clear and vivid.  But I think there's more to it than just that---there's a sense of urgency.  Autumn feels like Nature's last spectacular gasp before the long, cold death of winter.  Leaves explode in color not seen since spring flowers.  Vegetables and fruits are ripened and ready for planting or harvest.  Birds fill the air with arrow-like purpose.  It's a season of action.  It's when Nature fights back against the certainty of Time.  It's how I hope my autumn feels like.

The other reason that summer seems over is that just last week, just the first week of September, we saw Halloween displays in stores already.  Really?  Two months before schedule?  I'm not even sure if the candy would still be good by then (i.e., likely eaten).  I'm pretty sure that any pumpkins you carve won't last for two months, although they will certainly be scarier.  Whatever costume you get for the current fad will likely be passe by Halloween. 

On the other hand, this is a signal that it's only a matter of time before the best season arrives---the season of 24-hour Christmas radio!  Yeah!  Every year this season starts earlier and earlier, and so I get to sneak into lab and change the radio station to spread the holiday joy each year earlier and earlier.  However, I think they're starting to get on to me, as the radio is always changed back when I leave the lab...

It's spooky how time creeps up on you...

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