Summers End, Falls Onset

With the end of Summer a few weeks ago, it is now time for Falls onset. The leaves around here are beautiful this time of the year, almost as if Nature is apologizing in advance for what is to come.
As I get older, it almost seems that the Winters are coming quicker and quicker each year, unfortunately, the same can not be said about Spring.

The other day, my allergist told me I could cut back on my seasonal shots as soon as we have our first frost. I jokingly told him that hopefully that will not be for some time yet. As luck would have it, 3 days later it was was 30 degrees outside and the grass was glazed over, the blades stiffened with cold.

Our motorcycles still stand at ready in our garage, our willing and faithful metal steeds, but they have not been ridden steadily for a few weeks now, and with the temperatures mimicking the stock markets of late, the odds are they will have to be shifted to their winter storage positions sooner than later.

This weekend was absolutely perfect for autumnal leaf gazing in the nearby parks! The temperatures could have been somewhat warmer but the sun was clear and bright and made the leaves look even more awash in color.

A mere two weeks from now we will be in November, with absolutely no turning back from the inevitable - the holidays. Thanksgiving, then Christmas and finally New Years - it is almost as if they were setup purposely during the bleakest times of the season as an island mirage in a stormy wave tossed sea. All too soon, the solace granted by those holidays will be forgotten - and winter will resume its inexorably slow and recalcitrant trudge towards Spring.

I dream someday of being able to live where snow only exists on postcards, where winter means you can sleep with your windows open and not having to run the air conditioner. A place like Arizona, where riding weather is all year long.

I fear though, that living where there are only three of the four seasons, that I may lose the appreciation I have for the warmer times when being subjected to the stinging cold of Winters ire. But then, that is a chance I am willing to take :-)