Unofficially Autumn

Labor Day marks end of summer, beginning of fall — at least in our minds

Labor Day was Monday and that’s makes today special in its own right. Although the calendar doesn’t correspond, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. And today brings the unofficial start of fall.

Pumpkin spice will soon be sneaking into coffee shops and bakeries — if it hasn’t already. Halloween candy will start to fill at least one aisle of many grocery and discount stores.

Makes one wonder: Can Christmas merchandise, decorations and music be far behind?

Fall is often considered a mystical, sometimes melancholy season. It’s a time of transition from summer into winter. The nights come earlier, the temperature gradually cools and the leaves change colors before falling and covering the ground. Poets and songwriters frequently use autumn as a metaphor for aging, Maxwell Anderson’s lyrics for the classic “September Song” capture that feeling perfectly: “Oh it’s a long, long while from May ‘till December And the days grow short When you reach September. When the Autumn weather turns the leaves to flame One hasn’t got time

For the waiting game.”

But it is also the season of harvest, when farmers reap the bounty of their labor and fresh fruits and vegetables make their way to local markets. Many American Indian tribes also associated the season with a harvest of sorts, as wild plants gave up their fruit for gathering.

Fair season, which descends from traditional harvest celebrations, is a big part of autumn as well. Unfortunately, COVID-19 means no fairs this year. But the pandemic is another reason fall is important.

Fall means the cycle of life continues. For without fall, there would be no winter. And without winter, no spring or summer. As life goes on, perhaps we will see things get back to normal, sooner rather than later.

At least we can hope. And what better time than the magical, mysterious fall.