"Fall, a change in the air"

I had just let Lucky the Wonder Dog out the back door. As I reached the kitchen, he crashed around into the side door as if to say "BOOM! Let me in! Now!". Opening the door, he came flying in, his paws all wet with the morning dew. At Least, I thought is was morning-dew. But, at 44 degrees at 5:40 a.m on a Michigan morning in September, it was more like frost. And Lucky looked all confused shaking all over with chills, his paws soaked from the wet grass. He looked like it was a shock to him. As if he was thinking "Hey! Where did Summer go?!"

All I know is it seemed like overnight and it was now darker for longer in the mornings, and at least 20-25 degrees cooler in the crisp Southestern Michigan air we wake to. I've always loved this time of year, at the start of Fall. Defroster on the car windows before pulling out in the morning. Grab a sweater or a jacket. Time for the leaves to change and the last of Summer's garden and farm produce to start trickling in to the markets. Its time to pull out the electric blanket so we can still sleep with the window open, and start pulling out the flannels, hoodies and light gloves and caps. And, the phrase "Honey? We need some lawn bags and a new rake from the hardware!" Oh oh! That can only mean one thing...leaves!

Here in Michigan, leaves come with the deal when living here. About the time your'e done cussing and mowing grass for the year, its' time to tackle those son-of-a guns that fall from the sky. Some neighborhoods are lucky. They get to burn them or rake them all into the street, whereas other communities require paper lawn bags for waste only. Never the less, they are a weekly hassle. I think the only ones who enjoy the piles we make with them are kids and dogs. I've never understood why we HAVE to rake leaves when in the forests, they don't rake leaves! In the huge wooded areas of the Great Northwest they dont rake either! So, how come we insist on compiling piles of these perpetually pervassively falling nuisances? Ya got me! Cut the grass! Rake the leaves! Edge by the sidewalk! At least Fall signals a brief end to the grass cutting. But, the cutting gets replaced by raking. I think its' God's ways of messing with us. And we can't forget cleaning the windows and screens have to be removed for Winter. Winter! There's a scarier thought! Well, at least with the end of Summertime, we have a few things here we look forward to every year at this time in MIchigan. University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University football and Homecoming games, floats and parades, fall festivals, fairs, flea markets, Haunted Houses and Barns, and Cider Mills, cider, pumpkins and donuts. All good things we wait all year for here.

Cider mills abound here in Southeast Michigan, and the types, kinds and varieties of cider and apple based products one can buy, are beyond compare. We got trees 'n orchards, parks and woods here Michigan! LOTS of trees! And, the Cider Mills all have homemade donuts, candles, cheeses and breads to choose from. It's right-of-passge every year here. The 1st trip to the Cider Mill, along with that 'ride to see the leaves changing color', both signal the beginning of the end of the year. Time to take out those screens, wash the windows, turn up the thermostat a couple notches, and get wood for the fireplace. Now, thats something me and the Wonder Dog do religiously on our almost nightly fall walks, is pick up kindling we pass as we walk. I feel guilty if I see a perfectly good-sized piece of wood or pieces of wood, and don't stop to pick it up. Hey! It's there, it's in abundance, and it's free! I love getting the fireplace rolling with a big fire, and Lucky does too. I get out the matches, and he runs up to the fireplace and plops down in front waiting for it to get roaring. And, just about the time we get used to the fireplace, and the raking and baggings of leaves galore, they are gone. The nights and mornings grow even chillier and colder with the cold air rushing through the now empty branches. Soon, those mornings are accompanied by hot chocolate, the night time with flavored hot teas, and afagan blankets to ward off the chill. Overall, and all things considered...its one of the best times of year to be around Detroit-City and S.E. Michigan.

So, I dug out my flannels and hunting vests this past weekend while straightening up the garage. Got the leave bags out and rake to inspect it for any damage. Damn! Got lots of bags, and the rake's in fine shape. Just my luck! I'm all prepared for the 1st batch of 'em. Oh well, I suppose it could be worse. I could live where there are no seasons like Cancun or Fiji or someplace warm always. But, still. I DO love Michigan and all it stands for. Looking around the garage, I find my prunning shears and garden gloves for raking. Suddenly, while glancing into the corner, I realize that no matter how much of a hassle it is to cut grass and pick up leaves, it always could be worse. Looking at the long-handled wide shovel hanging on the last hook, I realize just HOW MUCH worse it could be....It could be snowing!