I think Mother Nature has now redeemed herself for the many rainy days we’ve endured this Summer, not to mention the horrible Winter and miserable Spring. Perhaps she has taken pity on us here in Southeast Michigan and concedes that we have earned the right to just a few more warm days to roll up our sleeves and let our bare arms bask in the sun a bit.

It was downright Summer-like today by the time I left for my walk, wearing a short-sleeved tee-shirt and baring my arms. It was already 70 degrees! Not even a week ago, I know I was in multiple layers and looking for my wool hat and gloves, but, as that saying goes “if you don’t like the weather here in Michigan, wait five minutes”.

I didn’t head down to the Park this morning, but I just walked around the neighborhood and went over to the Farmer’s Market. I had done some chores in the yard earlier in the morning. I figured since it hadn’t rained for over a week, I’d cover up my ornamental log cabin birdhouse and my slate “Welcome” sign for the Winter. Both are permanent fixtures at my house for many years, and an annual rite of Fall is wrapping them up to keep them from getting weather-beaten over the Winter. This task, to me, has a kind of finality to it because it means that the cold weather, which I despise, is soon on the way. I felt a little silly doing this chore on such a warm day, but I keep hearing the “Almanac” editor crowing about snowflakes in mid-October and wicked weather in November, so I just dealt with it. After multiple layers of bags over the Welcome sign, I stood back to inspect my efforts, and to ensure that no gaps were visible where the snow or ice might collect and pull the sign off the wall. It passed muster, and, just as I opened the door to go into the house to collect my walking paraphernalia to be on my way, I heard geese honking nearby, so I glanced up to the sky. I wished I would have had my camera handy since a flock of about 15 Canada Geese were flying in V-formation directly overhead and very low. I resisted the urge to wave and say “see ya in the Spring” or “save travels to y’all” … much too soon they were gone, but the message was clear … time’s a’ tickin’.