The frost is not yet on the pumpkin, and, on the heels of the recent heat wave, the stores are already clearing a path to herald in the Halloween supplies. As I passed through the hallowed aisles at Meijer today, clearly this store is already in Fall mode. One entire aisle, in the nearly empty area that held garden supplies, has been dedicated to big rakes and yard waste bags. The greeting card section groaned with cards for Halloween and all the Fall holidays. Thankfully Thanksgiving was not included. In the produce section I found pie pumpkins already! As I rounded the corner where the Yankee candle collection is found, I stopped to have a whiff of the featured candles: Spiced Pumpkin, Pumpkin Cupcake and Pumpkin Pie. By the time I finished perusing and inhaling those Fall favorites, I was ready to head over to see if the Thomas’ Pumpkin Spice bagels had arrived yet. Last year I discovered these delicious bagels; not so wonderful for the waistline, especially when slathered with Pumpkin Spice Philadelphia Cream Cheese. I love the Fall, but maybe let’s turn the calendar page over to September first, although I have admit I spent a few hours at Meijer gathering groceries to tide me over the Winter. It is an annual event for me – loading in provisions since I don’t like driving in the ice and snow. As I filled my grocery cart I wondered if I should double up on everything since the Farmer’s Almanac has made such dire predictions for this Winter season. My excursion was similar to a little squirrel gathering his cache of nuts so he doesn’t starve in the cold weather. At least I always know where to find my goodies and don’t need to hide them from anyone. That trip around the store and hauling in all the bags garnered this grocery gatherer another three miles toward the final goal of 500.