Here we are again ... another notable
change of weather conditions. Seasons change gradually, usually, but
for me, the turnover takes about 12 hours. I have said, "This task
having been accomplished, fall has now begun." On the calendar fall
began six weeks ago. At my house its arrival started yesterday morning
and was in place emotionally at the day's end.
Here on the lake there are two seasons. Spring, when the boats go into the water and fall, when the boats come out.
Spring is a beginning: the boat is moored
at the dock, the deck furniture is hauled in from the garage and the
cushions are brought out of the closet. The awning is rehung to shade
the interior from the bold summer sun. The warming breezes off the
water encourage us to sit on our decks and chat with neighbors who have
also vacated the confines imposed by winter.
Fall is marked with the jewel-colored
leaves of the trees around the lake. There is the need to pull the
boats out of the water for winter land storage. The baskets and
half-barrels filled with happy colors of summer are now mere containers
of plants too cold and weary to stand. Outdoor furniture is returned to
the garage, cushions to the closet. Finally, the awning is taken down
and stored for six months.
Those tasks of fall have now been
completed. I feel relieved to have beaten winter's arrival. No sadness
that the flowers are gone. Their leaving gives me reason to look
forward to next spring when the cycle begins again.
