My Second Favorite Season

I don't know how Minnesota does it.

But Labor Day weekend was muggy, hot and windy -- perfect end-of-summer weather.

And today, now that school is back in session? It's sunny, crisp and cool. It was 51 when I woke up this morning, and we'll probably top out at 65 this afternoon.

(Can you feel the crispness?)

Even the trees are suddenly changing.

Creepy.

I first noticed this abrupt weather shift, which I've come to see as distinctly Minnesotan, back in college. During my teen years, I spent every summer day possible at the beach. (Minnesota has thousands of clean, cool, beautiful lakes, doncha know. More shoreline than Florida, California and Hawaii combined. And no hurricanes!) My youth pastor was the waterfront director at a local Christian college, so my friends and I had free access to a ski boat, windsurf boards and our own "private" beach. My typical summer uniform was a swimsuit -- which I only took off to shower and to sleep -- topped by ratty t-shirts and shorts for the daily trips to Pizza Hut. (Six breadsticks for $1.99.)

It was bliss.

But whenever school started, I knew it was time to pack the shorts away. For verily, the weather always changed the first week in September. Shorts and tank tops were traded for jeans and sweatshirts. My feet rediscovered the wonder of shoes. The AC was turned off, and the windows thrown open. The crowns of the maple trees started to blaze red.

Fall had begun.

For sure, more warm days lay ahead of us, just as they do this year.

But the state has spoken. The change is underway.

Hello autumn.

P.S. The start of September also means my blogging break is over. So in addition to this post, you'll also find me musing about my children's non-sleeping habits over at 5 Minutes for Parenting today.