And thus ends summer

We woke up to the sound of light rain.

It has been a rather strange summer, with bucket-loads of rain falling from the sky.  Tomatoes are cracking and bursting even when green because of all the water that the plants are being force-fed by nature.  At this rate, the green might never turn to red, and it will be weeks of fried-green-tomatoes but without that special "barbecue" ;)

It has been fall-like for almost two weeks now, even though the official season begins only on Monday.

What can we expect this season?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a warmer-than-normal fall across the entire United States.

It certainly was a cooler than normal summer here in Oregon.

Soon, the leaves will become yellow and red and brown, and they will fall.  Stormy winds will chase the leaves. The rain will wash them all away.

Fashionistas will proclaim that fall is their favorite season.  Students will begin to feel the hard work that goes into learning.  Politicians will step up the pace of campaigning.

And we will wonder what ever happened to the long, warm, sunny, summer days, and why the livin' is not easy anymore.