Fall Back

Today as the kids head back to school, there are changes in the air. For Peter and me it’s the end of the air show We live close enough to the flight path that we have heard the roar of the Snowbirds for the last 3 days. Their antics are breathtaking but their sound is ear-splitting.

The other sound that’s missing is the noise of happy play from the kids next door as they jump up and down, up and down, on their back yard trampoline. No more racing along the street on e-scooters or basketball playing across the street either. After their 8:30 am exodus with their backpacks, it gets pretty quiet.

In the garden things are changing too. The bees have been visiting a lot and our outdoor dinners have moved back inside. The rhubarb crop is gone, replaced by butternut squash – hundreds of them! Our kitchen is a mess of cooked squash skins and gooey seeds.

Our grand dog, Tobie, who was with us for most of the summer, has gone home to New York. We miss his company, his antics, his “conversations” as he made his wishes known: “Take me for a walk” “Feed me.” “Pat me.” and most insistent: “It’s bedtime. Hurry up and go to bed with me.”

There’s a chill in the air, reminding us to put on a sweater when we go for a walk. We also begin to think about healthcare and our need to book appointments for Covid and flu shots.

On roads there’s a change in pattern. The local streets are busier as people go back to work. They speed through red lights and switch lanes without looking, as they rush to get to a meeting on time. On the weekends highway 400 traffic slows down, as cottagers close up for the winter.

The slow pace of life changes from one of relaxation to signing up for fall classes: fitness and winter sports, or education and book clubs. There’s a greater offering on TV too – fewer reruns and the start up of our favourite regular shows.

Finally in the news, we are being reminded to get those elbows up and Buy Canadian!

Sue