Friday Five: Seasons Change...

It's been a while since I've had a chance to do a Friday Five, so here's my comeback.

It's Labor Day weekend here in the United States, also known as Summer's Last Hurrah. So let's say goodbye to summer and hello to the autumn. (People in other climes, feel free to adapt as needed.)

1. Share a highlight from this summer. (If you please, don't just say "our vacation to the Canadian Rockies." Give us a little detail or image. Help us live vicariously through you!)
Of course the trip to Canada that I wrote about several times. We saw loons! There's something about that lake that is so soothing. It's a very rocky lake (it's called Stoney Lake, actually) and has many islands and there are always sailboats out and so much wildlife. Our place is on the mainland in a small cove that is off a slightly larger cove. So we get mink (or maybe they're muskrats, I'm not sure) and beavers, ducks and loons, great blue herons hunting for frogs, turtles, and lots of those huge, creepy black squirrels. The sounds of the bullfrogs, the loons, the water, it's so lovely. There are pictures a few posts back if you're interested.

2. Are you glad to see this summer end? Why or why not?
Mostly yes. Yes, b/c it's been in the hundreds for most of August here. Yes, b/c it's been a hard summer of call searching. I'll miss the trips to the county water park with L. I won't miss mowing the lawn. I'll miss the hot colors of my wildflower garden that brought in all the hummingbirds and butterflies. I won't miss the way P smells when he gets home after working outside in the 100+ degree heat all day. (nose wrinkle here)

3. Name one or two things you're looking forward to this fall.
Mostly I'm looking forward to starting my call. It's finally happened, and though I know it will be at least a couple of months for all the formalities to go through, I hope to get in by Advent. Moving is a big thing too. I think it will be really good for our family, too. Lots of things to look forward to.

4. Do you have any special preparations or activities to mark the transition from one season to another? (Cleaning of house, putting away summer clothes, one last trip to the beach)
Not really. The transition here is so slow that I never put the summer clothes totally away until around Thankgiving. Otherwise, sometimes we take a trip up to the northern part of the state to see the leaves changes in the mountains.

5. I'll know that fall is really here when __________________________________.
...I don't break a sweat just walking to the mailbox. (Yeah, it's been that hot.)