Summer Falls

It's Labor Day weekend, the calendar's unofficial end to summer.  Sure, the autumn solstice doesn't roll around for another two and a half weeks, but for all intents and purposes, summer is basically over.  The days are getting shorter, beaches are closing down and school is back in session.  Temperatures drop, the leaves change color and people stop wearing white.

It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating Memorial Day at my neighbor's barbecue.  How could this happen?  No more ice cream, flip-flops, shorts, open windows, and bathing suits?

Bummer.

But I don't want to sulk about the end of summer, because unless you live near the Equator it has to happen sometime.  I want to be optimistic for a minute and focus on fall's strengths instead.

Basketball-people complain about the length of the baseball season, but the Association typically tips off before Halloween, plays into the middle of June, and ends up with a schedule half the size of the Show's.  Jesus, the playoffs take two whole months!  Unfortunately, the start of the NBA season is nowhere in sight

Energy-everyone seems rejuvenated after relaxing summer vacations.  People seem more motivated, especially to go outside.  Any outdoor activity (concert, farmer's market, football game) on a fall weekend, weather permitting, is likely to see some action

Halloween-candy, costumes, parties, tricks, treats, the Charlie Brown special and pumpkin carving. 'nuff said

Hot chocolate-makes a glorious return

Football-see chocolate, hot

Playoff baseball-you play ball for six (eight when you include spring training) months, day in and day out, and then, all of the sudden, there might not be a next game, another at-bat, one more fastball.  The game suddenly has a sense of urgency, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Yankees-Red Sox in the ALCS

Indian summer-those perfect days in the middle of October when it's so comfortable outside.  Just ask Kenny Chesney
Fewer bugs (mosquitoes)-correlates to fewer bug bites

Foliage-you gotta admit, those leaves look pretty awesome.  Then they fall off and you have to rake (or leafblow) them.

Sweatshirt and shorts combo-too cool for tee-shirts, not cold enough for pants.  There has to be a middle ground, and this is it

Thanksgiving-family, food, and football

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything else at the moment.  Feel free to add.