Season Change

The calendar may not say that it is fall yet but other indicators are pretty clear. The thermometer is just one. Our ground squirrels and chipmunks are so fat that their bellies almost drag the ground as they scamper around. The deer and elk are sleek and have added weight. We do not hear the song birds like we did over the summer and the hummingbirds have diminished in numbers drastically.

The cooler temperatures is good for working outside and it only gets up to the high 60's or low 70's during the day. This is good sleeping weather with the windows cracked open just enough to get the evening breeze. It reminds me of times past when I would visit my mother and sleep with the window open. The morning breeze would gently flutter the cotton curtains and the coolness was invigorating in the morning. It seemed to help me sleep well at night on crisp cotton sheets. That first cup of coffee in the morning always tasted better when the weather was cool but not cold.

I had a face book friend from near Boulder share a photo yesterday of some aspen leaves that were changing color already. That means that we here in the southern Sangre de Cristo's are only about 3 weeks away at most. When they have peak color change we are usually right behind them. They are just beginning to have a little change up there. I'm not sure I'm ready for fall yet but it is without doubt the season I love the most. The air is crisp, everything seems to be making last minute preparations for our long winter and it is invigorating. Beyond the pep in your step the smell on the air of hot pine needles is intoxicating. It is a chance to enjoy the outside because you know soon everything will be covered with four feet of snow or more.

Do we have enough firewood? Check. Snow shovels ready and accessible? Check. Winter clothes ready? Check. Snow thrower ready and serviced? Check. Tractor serviced and ready to go..Oops...must do that in the next couple weeks. Exterior of house and garage ready? Check. Supplies on hand? Scheduled next week. I think that is all except for some incidentals to be ready for the snow which surely will follow the fall season. When you live in the mountains you live by seasons and not days. Fall is the last season before winter which just melted off in May and will soon start again.

While we will miss spring and summer this is the time for last minute preparations and also a time to just relax and enjoy the day and season knowing full well that a long winter is ahead of us. I'm only sorry that this blog doesn't have a scratch and sniff component so that readers could enjoy the smell on the air and coolness also.