Fall Falls Fast Around Here

For as long as I’ve known my friend Gary (14+ years), he has always said that fall was his favorite season of the year. But that’s easy for him to say; Gary lives in Oregon, where things such as “fall” exist.

Not in Iowa. Our “fall” this year lasted exactly 4 days.

Don’t believe me? Let me elaborate.

Saturday, Oct 7. It was sunny, beautiful, 85 degrees out. I washed my convertible, put the top down, and the Lovely Mrs. G. and I enjoyed the last gasp of summer.

Sunday, Oct 8. Fall day 1. A slow, steady, cold rain.

Monday, Oct 9. Fall day 2. A cool, crisp day. Perfect for hayrides or raking leaves.

Tuesday, Oct 10. Fall day 3. Windy, cool, but occasionally sunny. Why, if you were to visit a pumpkin farm or have a craving to drink apple cider, this would be the day!

Wednesday, Oct 11. Fall day 4. Partly cloudy, but a little chilly outside. You’d best bundle up as you play touch football and enjoy one last weenie roast around the barbeque!

Thursday, Oct 12. 5:30 AM. I walk outside and find SNOW on my car.

Snow. In October. 10 weeks before the official start of winter. Seriously.

Truth be told, it wasn’t much snow – just a dusting - but it was enough of a warning to all of us here in the Midwest that old man winter is packing his bags and is about to drop in on us, for what looks to be an extended stay.

So we’ll see how it goes. After all, this is our last winter of having to deal with this crap (hopefully), so I may as well enjoy it while I can, right?

Okay, maybe “enjoy” isn’t the right word. “Bitch about it” is probably more apt.

Either way, I’ll be thinking happy thoughts of Spring – my favorite season.