Crickets and Cool Nights

For the third day in a row the air conditioner has remained off. Carried along tonight on the cool breeze coming through the study windowns is that certain sound of late summer crickets, a hallmark of the season. Mournful in some ways and yet a promise of change, of crisp nights and colorful leaves.

Fall is in the air.

But this is Virginia. Fall here is never in a hurry; it arrives when it wants to, regardless of the official calendar date. It may tease us early on, such as the remarkably pleasant days we've had as of late, but that's all it sometimes is: just a tease. The temperature climbs back up and thoughts of changing leaves and crisp nights dissipate in the renewed heat and humidity. But on occasions very rare we're treated to an early autumn. I would like to see that this year. Though I'm not one to mind the heat and humidity, I'm ready for all the wonderful things that autumn entails.