September marks the end of summer

September has arrived, and with it the end of summer.

The calendar says we have three more weeks of summer, but as I watch the days growing shorter, with the sun rising later each morning and plunging behind the hills earlier each evening, my mind says, "Summer is gone."

I mourn for the dying daylight.

Temperatures are still warm - even hot - but the number of warm sunny days is limited.

It's wishful thinking, I know, but I'd like to fly south with the flocks of geese and experience spring and summer over again until the geese fly north next spring.

It is harvest time with fruits and nuts ripening and being laid away for winter.

Peaches have been picked, grape vines hang heavy with Thompson seedless, Red Flame and other varieties. Pears are ready to pick. Fig trees are loaded and we fight starlings to save some for ourselves. Still to come are Fuyu persimmons, apples and walnuts.

Tomato vines are loaded. It's canning season, so my pressure canner and preserving kettle are brought in and made ready to work. And work it is, but work with a purpose.

This year, I am frustrated with disabilities that keep me only on the fringes of the jobs. My part is mainly an advisory role now, based on many years of loading tables and shelves with home-canned and frozen goodies.

My kids will say to me, "Mom, I want to make some watermelon preserves. Do you have a recipe?"

They hunger for goodies that they grew up enjoying. I am happy to provide what help I can, of course. The family furnishes the physical labor now that I can only advise and supervise.

Since I can't fly south with the geese, it is a bit of compensation for me to take on even this small part in helping to provide a bounteous harvest for my family.

"By their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20