After weeks of hot, humid weather and a morning of intermittent showers, cool, dry air has moved into central Missouri, a touch of Canada amidst an oppressive Midwest summer. No sparkling lakes stretch across the horizon, no forests of spruce and birch invite exploration and the eerie calls of loons do not echo across the landscape but the invigorating air is enough.
Diving south behind a potent cold front, the autumn-like chill will last only a few of days. More hot, humid weather surely lies ahead but the promise of seasonal change rides on this northern breeze and those of us enamored with the glorious months of fall welcome the omen.
As if to reinforce the tide of autumn, the yanks of nuthatches rang from our backyard shade trees and the squeaky gnawing of gray squirrels signaled the onset of the walnut harvest. Sitting on the back deck, breathing in the crisp air, I could almost hear the flocks of migrant snow geese.
