The school bus rambles down the main road as the sun hovers low while slowly making its ascent.  Sounds from the football field yonder bring to mind glorious fall days; of young men running, yelling, crowds in the small town bandstands cheering.  The leaves are turning brilliant shades of gold in the highest cottonwoods.  Autumn has snuck in early whispering cool breaths in the early morning hours and in the evening too.

My mother’s 61st birthday is today.  I hope she has a wonderful day!  We always considered her birthday to be in summer.  We didn’t start school until September and the days were still hot.  Summer arrived late this year and it seems she was only visiting on her way to Tahiti for the next season has arrived in her place.

Autumn is my favorite time of year but I am not ready for the impending cold that accompanies.  I long for a few more months of warm summer days.  The air is crisp and bright full of birdsong and daytime warmth.

I sigh.  “Alright Fall, you can come in.  I’ll get my sweater.”