Jeff O'Handley

The Doubting Writer Finds His Voice

On the Edge

Last week I heard an expression that I either hadn’t heard before, or had and just forgotten:

“Upstate New York has four seasons: Almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction.”

The road crews are finishing up a project in town that’s been irritating, inconsistent, and inconvenient. It’s 45 degrees (F) this morning. Goldenrod is blooming, geese and starlings are flocking, and yellow-edged leaves have begun appearing on a number of trees. Almost any time I’ve stepped outside in the last three or four weeks (really, almost since the heatwave broke in late July), I’ve been reminded of fall–err, almost winter.

No doubt about it, we’re on the transition from ‘road construction’ to ‘almost winter.’ There’s nothing wrong with that; I’m not very good at picking favorites of things like colors or songs or seasons, but fall probably is my favorite. I’ve always loved it. I just wasn’t expecting it so soon, is all.

4 Responses

  1. When I lived in Alaska, everyone there said, "Sure, Alaksa has four seasons: June, July, August, and Winter." How true it is!

    It does seem like fall is trying to show up earlier than usual. I like the cooler temps, but I'm not ready for winter, yet. No way!!

  2. I'm over in sunny Jamaica and no regrets. Our cold nights alone are cold to me so…yeah. Enjoy fall and hope it doesn't get too cold with the fast changing weather.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe for Updates

For announcements, alerts and special offers, subscribe to our emails.  Please note, you will have to confirm your subscription through an email to the address you provide.

Follow Jeff O'Handley

Jeff O'Handley ©2024 - All Rights Reserved.