Is it time to rejoice, or time to buck up some firewood? Clearly, we just got a touch of fall in the recent weather shift. And I love the fall!

After some very warm and humid (un-Maine like) weather in recent weeks, the 55F breeze in through the bedroom window was, for me, a breath of fresh air.  I do not do heat well, so the recent weather shipping up from the south, loaded with humidity, was a trial by fire. It was all I could do to get out of my own way. The air was unpleasant, possibly somewhat aided by the smoke from fires out west and in Canada. At least that is what the weather people were suggesting.   

Ironically, some of the more extravagant sunsets were aided by the pollutants in the air and the orange sun, though quite spectacular, revealed solar activity when considered from here on Earth. I did learn from family members that the recent views of the sun showed sunspots. And, there has been a fair amount of colorful nighttime activity lately. I’m not sure if the two are related but I suspect they may be. Some of the photos people have shared online are quite spectacular. I slept through those events.

The clear fresh air and snappy overnights are music to my ears. If fall weather could be all year long, I would be a happy camper. Even as a kid growing up, I loved the fall, with the exception of returning to school, of course. The long walks to school however, were always enjoyed and capable of distracting this reluctant academician. I particularly remember the refreshing air, my new bright red “Woolrich” jacket and a “Roy Rogers” lunch pail. Also, it was the time of year when the milkweed pods burst open with their cool silky contents. And, until recently, I never realized the wonderful fragrance of the milkweed plant blossoms, the ones most appealing to returning Monarch butterflies. I didn’t walk to school very often in summer and seldom noticed the milkweed plants in our endlessly needy mowed lawn.

The brisk night air does make me realize what needs to be squeezed in before darkness takes over during shortening fall days. Firewood. Painting. Roofing. Repairs. Suddenly the list and urgency grows. But, if we’re lucky, fall will produce scenes similar to the view shared today from the Grover’s Hardware parking lot looking north and east toward the head of the Harbor. Just about as nice as it gets. The “Bondo” for auto repair and the fittings for a parted overboard discharge line had to wait. I was walking to school again through fields of silky milkweed, only this time the sky popped open and the harbor filled in in place of timothy and clover. Quite a joy to observe with a touch of salt air.

These are the days we await and cherish. When they come we can count our collective Maine blessings especially in consideration of what is going on in many parts of the world. I can’t imagine what a treat it would be for a 100F-plus inhabitant to visit the back stairs of Grover’s Hardware on a crispy almost fall day when the water is in and the sun only lights the harbor without severe intention.