Autumn Falls
Despite the azure blue sky and bright sunshine, causing me to squint while I walked to my car, there was a distinct nip in the air this morning as I left work following my graveyard shift. I don’t think that Jack Frost was here but conditions seem right for him with clear night skies displaying a wonderful star studded galaxy.
Many trees have already changed the colour of their leaves in preparation for the onset of a prairie winter. We have not had rain here for the best part of two months and Jack Frost was around a couple of nights last week, so that will make things change a little faster than usual. (I might add that putting the words usual and weather in the same sentence is not advisable on the prairies!)
The birds have been making their way south or maybe west to the warmer Canadian coast. Robins have gone from the neighbourhood but may be lingering where better food is available. A pair of Blue Jays have taken over the area but they tend to be heard more than seen. Just two weeks ago flocks of Sandhill Cranes were flying over the house and on my departure for work Snow Geese could be heard in large numbers, navigating by the stars. Canada geese are still lingering, gleaning grain spilled during a record harvest.
Pumpkins are piled high in the supermarkets but there is nothing like a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick your own. Everybody in the family seems to have their own idea of the perfect pumpkin so we usually come home with a few, pumpkin pies and Jack o’ Lanterns to come!
Snow will be on the ground before long, I am sure, if not before Canadian Thanksgiving then certainly by Halloween. Layers of clothing mean the trick or treaters have to find costumes in larger sizes to cover those layers.
However short or long your Autumn/Fall is I hope it is kind to you.
~Mick Lewis
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada