Goodbye to summer

Goodbye to summer

Today was predicted to be a cool fall day. Temperature high was to be mid 50’s but surprisingly it got to the mid 60’s.   I felt the sun’s warmth gaining strength as the morning waned into the afternoon.  I continued to do the Fall cleanup of leaves as most of the trees have become barren since dropped their leaves.  I hoped that this would be the last time that I would have to do this for this year.  Only the stubborn Locust tree is holding out.  How ever its leaves are small and easily sucked up by the lawn mower.

As I hauled them to the compost pile, I felt the breeze coming through the pickup cab and the thought that it would be a good day for a short motorcycle ride entered my mind.

I got back to the house and gathered up the garden hoses draining them of the water they still held from the last lawn watering.   I stored them in the garage and closed the door on them knowing they will not be used until spring returns sometime in April.

It was time.   The afternoon sun had provided all the warmth that it would provide for the day.   I grabbed the keys to the bike and started it.  Enjoying the sound of the engine coming through the pipes.  I put a light windbreaker on as the bike warmed its engine.  I put my helmet on and then my gloves.   I stood the bike off its kick stand engaged the clutch and placed it gear.   I was off!  I navigated out of town and onto the open highway.

I felt the power of the engine as it sucked in the cool air and converted it to speed.  I could tell that all the bike wanted to do was run.  Going thru the gears I surpassed the speed limit and could tell that the bike wanted more.

I looked around at the cut cornfields and thought how it was time for them to be turned into small snow retaining fences that will soon be coming before being disked into the ground to begin the process of renewing the soil for the new life cycle next spring.  I saw trees along the river also stripped of their leaves knowing that they are awaiting the spring arrival.

I noticed the large flock of blackbirds as they flew in irregular patterns making art in the clear pale blue sky.  Knowing they would soon be headed south.  No clouds in sight no wind just the last of the sun warmth on my back.

The only green I saw was from cover crops that were scattered though out the landscape.  They too are waiting for the return of warmer days.

I turned off the main highway to a smaller paved two lane.   Flocks of doves rose from the water hole along the road.  They also are getting ready for the coldness.

I ran the bike through the gears smoothly and the pipes resonated as the bike gained speed and it felt exhilarating.  As I topped out at the speed limit, I felt the coldness coming through the jacket and my hoody once again reminding me that the summer is vanishing, and that winter is lurking.

I returned home and walked into the sunroom.  The warmth it had gathered felt good as I stripped off the jacket and the hoodie. Then my jeans.  I welcomed the warmth against my nude body, and it felt great.

It was good to see the green plants that I am keeping alive for next spring and to see the growth in them.  They will be a welcome site during the winter.   I brushed against the leaves of the plants, and they felt great against my bare skin.

Soon the snow will come and the cold.   With only a windowpane between the cold and us. We will huddle in our homes with fires aglow.    But that to will only last for a fleeting time. Till the return of warmer days in Spring when we will greet friends outdoors once again.

Hurry back soon my friend and greet us with warmth so that we can once again relish your presence on our bare skin.