I believe only Christmas gets more buildup than Labor Day. Back-to-school brings retailers to the fore, just like Santa Claus.
However, Labor Day is more of an ending, as in summer’s over, kids have new sitters, footballs are being flung and political rhetoric becomes as welcome as a breeze from a pig farm. But, my point is, ‘You know summer is over when . . .?
Convertibles start looking out of place.
You get phone calls asking if they can do your snow plowing.
Your tomato vines and corn stalks need cutting.
You know summer’s over when the crabgrass in your yard starts turning a glorious purple, and lawns can go more than a week without mowing.
Sweaters feel more comfortable on the golf course.
You see your first radiator antifreeze ads.
You have to put on your robe to go out for the morning paper instead of going out in your shorty pajamas.
You know summer’s over when you start looking closer at the fuzzy bear caterpillars to check the width of the orange, red or brown stripe. (The wider the stripe, the shorter the winter.)
Cities are letting salt bids.
Corduroys are back on pant racks.
Beard stubbles are becoming visible on deer hunters.
Ski shops and hills boast bargains.
You know summer’s over when short sleeve dress shirts, white belts and white shoes look out of place.
When ‘pure wool? commercials start appearing on television and in papers.
When re-runs finally are stopped by the networks (and, after viewing the new shows, you yearn for the re-runs).
When yards become parking lots for wrapped pontoon and fishing boats.
When there’s an eerie quietness in the neighborhood after school opens.
You know summer’s over when the first brown leaves fall, and you wonder if the wind will rake your yard for you.
When the ‘farmers? markets? disappear, garage sales slow and become holiday bazaars.
When church attendance goes up.
When fireplaces are rediscovered.
When the salmon run starts.
You know summer’s over when the southbound lanes of I-75 are filled with the Florida bound.
When hats come out of the closet and furriers bring out their minks.
When rosy cheeks look healthier than summer tans.
When you contemplate: Do I buy a snow plow or snow blower?
And, you know summer’s over when you leave for work and come home in the dark.
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The average human body contains about 0.2 milligrams of gold. Even at today’s high costs of gold our bodies aren’t worth a whole hellovalot, are they?
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As summer winds down, we take time to enjoy the weather, home-grown produce and start thinking about fall. All that really means, is we’re running a ‘best of? column from Jim Sherman, Sr. This was orginally published on Aug. 23, 2006.
Old farmer’s advice: Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
Good judgement comes from experience, and a lotta??? that comes from bad judgement.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Every path has a few puddles. And every puddle has at least one little one jumping in it. I added that last sentence.