What a Difference a Day Makes

Today is the 1st of September. It is still very much summer; in the 90's with a forecast of 96 tomorrow! Tessa and Jonathan have been back in school for almost 3 weeks now. For that matter, so has Beth who is teaching 3rd grade. By the way, what happened to starting school a little later (remember the song, "See you in September")?

Regardless, as I said, it is very much summer. Yet there is a change in the air and it seems to affect most things. Commercials on the radio touting vacations at the beach sound a little out of place and the e-mail I received from Starbucks reintroducing the Pumpkin Spice Latte came off as a little premature. I'm looking forward to the long Labor Day weekend to be sure. But, it doesn't feel like the lead-up to the 4th of July. And, really, that's OK.

Without the putting away of summer gear and pulling out all things fall, I might lack perspective. What is the anticipation of warmer weather in June without the seclusion from winter in January? In Birmingham I have experienced the seasons like never before. From my back porch I can watch the changes in the trees on Oak Mountain. Growing up in Southern Cal, however, we only faked it! Winter very rarely dipped into the 30's and the most I'd seen of autumn was in America the Beautiful in "CircleVision 360" a pictoral trip around the U.S. at Disneyland.

So, regardless, it is September and while we will hang around the pool this weekend and grill the ribs and veggies and drink the tea, change again is in control. I will submit to its dictates and reluctantly transition to the new season. But beware winter! I'll be looking to you in a few weeks after the leaves have fallen, with Starbucks in hand, lamenting your arrival. . .