After our two weeks of summer, autumn feels near. No matter what the temperature, and it is classic and crisp right now, the shorter days, the longer shadows and the cicadas tell us the calendar is advancing toward year’s end.
My good friend the meteorologist Tom Hauf used to say Labor Day isn’t just a day to celebrate the American workforce, the unofficial end of summer, there’s something in the atmosphere this week that signals a shift.
After a visit with my in-laws and a delightful chat with my cousin that stretched on for much longer than I intended this afternoon, I returned home to find the dishes in the sink had multiplied like rabbits thanks to my sixteen year old Christian who doesn’t begin school for another week, and enough dog hair on the brown linoleum kitchen floor to suggest I run a kennel. If I truly wanted to make a lasting contribution to the world, I’d find a way to genetically alter german shepherds so they don’t shed.
No where does September feel more different than August than in my neighborhood near Syracuse University. I took a walk on Euclid Avenue after dinner tonight, purposely walking among the students hustling along after their second day of classes, I-Pod ear buds hanging from their heads. In spite of the crumbling sidewalks and low-hanging branches, Euclid is pedestrian paradise. There are people everywhere, walking, chatting and jogging. In fact, tonight there seemed as many runners as walkers. It’s as if these students know in two short months the snow will return, the sidewalk will be icy and no trip outdoors can be had with fewer than seven different articles of clothing. Better get the running in now.
But tonight it was all good; clear, comfortable, still light at seven pm, the academic year filled with hope and some terror too. How many of us remember being told on the first day of class that only half the students would pass the course it was so tough? And in spite of any other course we had to take, this one would require five hours of study every night including Sunday?
All that young flesh sped past me on Euclid tonight, no spindly legs, no flab hanging beneath the arms, no pot belly from birthing four children and from enjoying decades of cheese, wine and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Yet. What a great time in life, in this great time of the year, but I wouldn’t go back there to start it again. I’m happy right where I am.
Pass the marshmallows. Matt, left, and Christian enjoy the fire pit on a cool night
Christian and his friend Matt Shappert and I made a little fire in the barbecue pit tonight. The boys found some sticks in the woods for marshmallows, and finally, it was a cool enough evening to sit by a fire, at least until I was banished by Christian after getting the fire going good. Sixteen is not the age where you want your mother hanging around with your friends, and I understand that. Or at least, if I don’t understand it, I’m not afraid of it. He is my fourth after all.
If you’re looking for a lively place to walk off dinner, park your car anywhere along Euclid Avenue and just absorb the vigor. Be sure to climb the 179 steps that link Euclid around the 700 block to the top of Westminster Avenue. Your legs will be screaming, but it will earn you that extra scoop of ice cream when you get back.
September is the month when it’s cool enough for a back yard fire pit and warm enough for one more ice cream cone. Fire. Ice. The most perfect month.
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Another day in The Swamp Hollow, The flowers are losing their color, trees are losing their leaves, creek is lower,still dark when I get up to let the dogs out. I guess when you get older you feel winter is closer than you remember it coming last year. I have to start golfing later to give the dew a chance to go. I am all ready planning my trip to Myrtle Beach S.C. for the first of Dec. to finish the golf season for this year. September is kind of like March when the sand is on the snow making it a nasty looking mess, warm sun during the day lets you know that summer will be close behind. This year I feel like I was not paying attention and missed summer some how. Both months are a real Bah Hum-bug times of the year here in the Swamp,but, would be very hard to give up.
Yes Denny the signs are all around. At least you get to travel south with some of the birds. I don’t feel you lost summer for not paying attention. We all lost it. It was either cold or raining or cloudy, but often all three at once. At least we don’t have the threat of drought. M.
Moey,
I know those 179 steps well! I lived on Westminster for the first 11 years of my life. Believe me, they are easier when you are seven or eight. The view from the park at the top of the hill is still one of the best in the city. Westminster was always superb for sledding; not so good for baseball, we always had at least three catchers. When I was very young, the street was one of the last in the city still paved with brick. There was (is) a woods on the west side of the street which was tailor-made for hide and seek and other such games. A great street to grow up on.
Allbest,
Johnny
Maureen~
Well now that I am back from taking the last child to OCS training in Florida I have a moment to reflect on this “summer”.
So far this summer you needed no reason not to have a fire in the pit and an ice cream in the back yard.
Summer came in cool and will most likely go out the same. It is going to be a cold winter again, but colder now that there are no children left at home, the warmth remains however the kids are gone.
Have a great weekend.
Bill
Johnny, Ditto on the age seven idea. Yesterday I sat at the park bench mercifully placed at the top of the stairs, but it’s all so overgrown, the view is disappearing. They did clear the brush beside the steps which was much appreciated. Love the comment about the three catchers.
Moey
Love the firepit story with Christian and his friend. I’ve had my grandchildren a lot this summer and have truly enjoyed it. Today as requested by 14 year old grandson I took him to mall. We arrive just before 10 and stores aren’t open. He needs jeans, we do Hollister, Abercombie and American Eagle. He can’t believe that no one is shopping. Obviously shopping for him is seeing tons of other teens. I have one purpose to get clothes and get out. The clerks were most helpful, we ended up at Express and he got 2 pair, one at half price. Then on to soccer practice. Spent the afternoon with my granddaughter on deck, reading, dance practice and doing nails. I usually have them with friends but today was one on one. They will be in school next week. I need the rest but I will miss them. They both hope to have a bonfire with friends before the season ends. I love these cool, sunny days. Syracuse is looking good this week. Enjoy. Carol
Bill, so well put. There is a chill in the air as each child departs.
Carol, I agree that Syracuse is lookin’ good. The grass is green and the colors bright. The best place on earth. I’m with you on the shopping. As quickly as possible and I rarely visit Malls anymore. I like the plazas so much more. M.