There’s a change in the air.
The days are getting shorter and the hot weather has become succumb to cooler, more comfortable temperatures. Humidity is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Sticky mornings are being replaced with dew-filled lawns.
Long gone are 8:40 p.m. sunsets to the current time of 7 p.m.
Eighty and 90-degree days are slowly being replaced with 60s and 70s for highs and lows in the 40s and 50s.
Goodbye summer of 2016, it’s been great.
As fall ushers in this Thursday, Sept. 22, we can look forward to chilly mornings at the bus stop, the sun’s rays still warm, but the shade cold, and the return of sweaters and hoodies.
I look forward to the end of September and the first few weeks of October when the leaves begin to change colors, especially against a cloudless, deep blue sky.
Growing up, one of my favorite things to do in the Garden Village was take a walk in the evening as the leaves begin to fall. I would love listening to the shuffling and crunching with every step I took on a sidewalk filled with leaves.
There was always something about the smell of decaying leaves that I liked. Who remembers when burning leaves at the curbside was still legal? Growing up in West Pittston, many residents burned leaves in the fall. If I close my eyes, I can still picture smoldering piles with smoke billowing skyward.
Even though local high school football is in full swing, it just wouldn’t football until you bring a blanket, jacket and the hot chocolate.
I will always be a summer guy; in fact, the hotter the better for me, but autumn comes a close second.
When I see the colorful palet of reds and yellows in the trees on a bright autumn day, I know there has to be a God.
The tank tops and shorts are cleaned, folded and stored for next year only to be replaced by sweatshirts and sweaters and denim and corduroy and lined jackets.
Cool, crisp, cloudless autumn nights bring out the stars to shine so brightly. Stargazing always seems best for me in the fall.
I will try to enjoy the next four weeks by taking in each and every day to the fullest, but I, my dear reader, only know what comes after autumn.
It’s hard to complain about last winter with mild temperatures and not much snow. Someone posted a photo of a woolly caterpillaron social media the other day. It wasn’t the typical brown and black caterpillar one would normally see in the fall — this one was white.
For years I’ve heard of winter predictions by the color of a woolly caterpillar’s stripes. A white woolly seems to predict a very snowy winter. Only time will tell, but I’m not a big fan of snow and cold as it is, so a very snowy winter doesn’t sound like much fun.
El Nino played a big role in our weather last winter and I haven’t heard much mentioned about it for this winter. The local meteorologists have stated that every month this year locally have had above average temperatures and worldwide, 2016 has been declared as the hottest summer on record.
For now, just sit back, relax and enjoy what comes our way.
Five decades of football
It’s hard to believe that both Pittston Area and Wyoming Area are in their 50th year as school districts.
Over those 50 years, we have seen some pretty great football players, teams and coaching. For an area that loves football, we have not produced a lot of players that advanced into the pros from Greater Pittston.
It just goes to show how competitive football is around the country.
Two of the most noted players are from Pittston with Charlie Trippi and Jimmy Cefalo. I’m told people from all over the area would attend a high school game to see Trippi play.
Trippi, currently 94 years old and living in Georgia, had a great career for the University of Georgia and professionally for the Chicago Cardinals in the National Football League. He’s currently in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
In 1947, Trippi signed four-year contract with the Cardinals for $100,000 and a $25,000 signing bonus. Can you imagine what the value of that contract would be today?
Today, Trippi is the only one seated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 1,000 yards passing, 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.
Quote of the week
“An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her.” – Agatha Christie, English novelist.
Thought of the week
“Perhaps nobody ever accomplishes all that he feels lies in him to do: but nearly ever one who triest his power touches the walls of his being.” – Charles Dudly Warner, American author.
Bumper sticker
“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” – Neil Peart, drummer for Rush.
