The other day Juana, Charlotte and I walked into town to visit the local Farmer’s Market. It was an usually warm day that was counterbalanced by the falling leaves and the colors of fall. There were only a few stands with produce but they were thoroughly stocked. We were expecting the fall crops of peppers, potatoes, kale, Brussels sprouts and the like. But added to these were tomatoes, corn, raspberries and other crops that are indicative of late August rather than mid-October.
Perhaps it is because of an unusual stretch of weather we have had: a cool and wet August combined with a warm and dry September/October. We used to get hard frosts in late September, early October. This year it looks like we won’t get a frost until November. The warmth reminds me of Long Island, which even though it is less than 30 miles south of us is a good 10 to 15 degrees warmer due to its proximity to the water and our current altitude of 850 feet on a north facing hill.
By this time of year we used to have Indian summer days (a warm spell after the first killing frost.) We haven’t gotten close with only a few early mornings dropping to the high 30s. This weather is in gentle contrast to that described by New York Times journalist Hal Borland, who penned columns from the 1940s through the 1970s describing the nature and changing environment of northwest Connecticut. In his time, late September columns are about Jack Frost painting the landscape; he couldn’t write those columns today.
So it is with a mixed emotion that I embrace this weather. The wood is too difficult to split as it has yet to freeze solid. Mosquitos continue to swarm outside looking for (perhaps) their last drink. The days are warm enough to continue to wear shorts and bicycle on trails that are becoming harder to discern because of the leaf cover. Mushrooms this fall have been slight as the rain has been wanting. My wool vest is too warm to wear outside and most evenings too warm for a fire in the stove.
