Season change day

Each year, a day arrives that signals the change in season -- regardless of the calendar. Today is that day.

We had four straight days of humidity and 90 degree temps. Last night, a western front ventured across our valleys and raced to collide with Hurricane Earl, which had lost steam as he came up the coast. The front cleansed the air. A veil was lifted, and small signs of the next season are visible. Scattered yellow and orange leaves have become stark, announcing the arrival that actually happened a week ago out our den window. We ignored them in the heat, when we foolishly believed summer was still ours.

Ah, well.