Turning the Corner
The last week’s low temperatures have all been in the 50’s. It is the last day of July, and we are turning the corner towards fall.
I know, it seems early. It isn’t really. Not for Colorado. By the end of August we will have nights that may dip into the 40’s. Trees will start to turn, subtlety, but they will. Our chances for moisture will increase. The pumpkins will start to turn colors. My pumpkins already have.
This one is about the size of a seedless watermelon. I have three others, all in varying sizes from this on up to industrial mop bucket size.
I always look forward to fall. After strings of days in the 90’s, I’m ready for strings of days in the 70’s. I’m ready for that bit of bite in the air, that crispness that is unique to fall. That we get it earlier here is just fine with me. If the last two years are any kind of normal, we shall see snow before Halloween. I will make my trips into the mountains to see the Aspens turn colors. I will think about cooking warm soups and stews, and order my firewood delivery. I will plan for my fall garden, see if I can grow a bit of spinach and some beets.
It has been a good summer. My mother visited for just over a month, helped me in the garden and around the house. Between work and my working out, I often run out of time. Having an extra pair of hands helped tremendously. My garden would not be nearly so weed-free without her help. We made several small trips, did some fun things, and I never regret time spent with family while the dishes and laundry languish. My garden has been reasonably productive, although I wish it were better. I had hoped to replace much of my fresh veggie shopping with it, but it hasn’t turned out to be that way. The things I buy at the store are not the things I can necessarily grow here. My cabbages and squash have done well, and I will plant more of that next year. Everything else is slow and behind – corn, parsnips, peppers, eggplant, beans, and cucumbers. I don’t think I’ll even get a cucumber this year. We have had good beets and turnips, but the family isn’t as fond of those as I am, unfortunately. My leg recovery continues, although I’m having unusual pain and will be seeing the doctor soon for a checkup. Tater goes back to school in less than three weeks and I haven’t bought a single school supply. But she has gotten to swim and swim and swim, and spend time with her sister and her gramma and her daddy and she’s as happy as an almost-teenager can be. She’s at that weird in-between stage where she’s still a kid, but doesn’t want to be a kid. Lots of awkwardness there.
But fall looms, and I’m looking forward to it. My pace does slow then, not as much work to do. I always say winter is for sleeping. I look forward to longer, lazier nights, when my “doing” is just some crochet or sewing or writing. A girl gets tired after a while.
