Season’s Change

Summer is over if you count the season as lasting between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Or we still have a handful of days left if you take into account these days before the first day of autumn. The leaves on the trees are still green, but clearly worn. Some are tinged with other colors after hanging onto branches for quite a few months.

Walking at the back of the nearby park with the dog recently, I got a strong whiff of the sharp smell of fall. A bit of pungent decay, once growing things ready to enrich the soil for something future to grow.

I’ve written a couple of times over the past few months about summer, this season that most causes us to think of leisure. One that we are more likely to feel concern about wasting than the other three. (Assuming that we live in a place that has seasons, which I do.)

How did I do in my effort to enjoy moments of summer? I mentioned choosing the patio option as often as possible in my early summer post. I’m afraid that I didn’t meet up with family and friends all that often, but I can say that I logged a bit of time on decks and patios. Nor did I manage to get to more than one outdoor concert.

I took stock again early last month in my effort not to let summer pass unnoticed. I can add the taste of our own tomatoes to the list I made in that post. They have a heady flavor, but unfortunately thick skins. And I experienced mosquito bites too, darn it.

This summer wasn’t hot enough for a lot of people, but it was just about right to my thinking. (I’m sure they at least appreciate the more reasonable utility bills from the moderate summer heat.)

Now plenty of people are already bemoaning the coming of winter. But, please, let’s give fall its due first. The weather will continue to be pleasant for weeks to come and then turn crisp. While the plants all settle into a dormant state.

I’ve lived most of my life in regions that experience all four seasons. I most enjoy spring and fall, I see benefit in summer, and I endure and accept winter for the sake of the other seasons.

While I think about how I met my own summer expectations and where I fell short, I have to remind myself that I shouldn’t just lament but decide what I might do better. How about you, did your summer turn out how you expected?