“Summer is over!” The kids are back in school, the pools are closed, the Halloween candy has appeared in the stores and skeletons are appearing in my neighbors' yards. 

I’m not ready to surrender. As far as I’m concerned, it’s "summer' until I’m forced to dig out my winter running gear. I've even decided that my yearly Gratitude Pumpkin will begin in November this year - not in October, Why rush? 

Of course, Mother Nature is starting to drop hints. I’m awake and ready to head out for a run at 6am and have to wait until the sun is up to light the trails. 

At the farmers’ market, autumn has begun edging its way onto the tables. Apples and butternut squash are nudging aside the peaches, plums, zucchini, and summer squash. And soon the tomatoes will be replaced with sweet potatoes.

The thing is that even though my run is delayed more each day, I know that eventually I will have to layer up. Until the transition is complete, I will enjoy every warm day and savor every summer fruit and veggie I can get. And then the anticipation will start to build until next Spring. And that’s the way the seasons go …