The past few days have been quite warm, highs in the upper 80s. (Before you Texans start laughing at us, I'll point out that our highs had been in the 70s and even cooler for a couple of weeks.) This heat feels like a last hurrah. It's not that the highs won't get into the 80s again, it's just that it will be a day here or there- not 5 or 6 days in a row.
But with the sun beating down on us during the day, the nights are still cooling off completely and quickly. As soon as the shadows begin stretching back out at 3:00, the animals are active again; this is unlike the more summery days of July when they stay in a heat soaked stupor until evening is settling in. The sun is down by 8:00 and the temperature is well into the 60s by 9:00. The hot wind that's drying the clothes so quickly is also rustling through orange and yellow leaves. And in a couple more days, our highs will be back in the 60s.
It's time to gather in some apples and the pumpkins are looking ready. The beans are drying on the vine, and the butternut squashes are swelling and changing color. In a couple more weeks, we'll dig the potatoes.
One of the children asked me when mosquito season would end, and I thought of how soon frost will visit. I thought of warm soups and fires. I thought of the crisp taste of winter air. I feel friendly to summer now, but I still anticipate fall.
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