Summer is taking its last bow. The State Fair began last weekend and is now in its closing days. The grocery store was full of people. They know it is the last holiday of summer. Worry and care will ride in the back seat of the ’57 Chevy ragtop. One more trip to Pounds Hollow. There will be plenty of Oscar Mayer Weiners — the kind kids love to eat. The lake water will be cooler. It has been cooler. If the Sun is hiding, it is chilly when you exit the lake. Could it be that we will welcome sweaters and jackets in a month or so? Fall will be here. We have experienced Autumn before, but no two are the same. Fall calls out its song. Think deeply. Consider what has been and what is to be.

Lee is bringing his fishing pole. There will be pork chops from the Webber. Can you say Loaded Potato Salad? The ultra-rich fear Armageddon. They are purchasing former nuclear missile silos to hide in. They are moving to New Zealand to enjoy the benefits of the tyranny of distance from the United States. Those who seem to back the political policies of the current administration fear their Orwellian Outcome. The blessing of some land and the solitude of a sense of place are compelling. The Great Blue Heron enjoys the Brooks Pond. He fishes daily. When something is not to his liking, he flies away. Mr. Beaver is still working on the Dam Project. Mr. Beaver knows winter is coming. He can feel it in his old bones. He has to be ready.

Jennifer and Annelise will brighten our Holiday. We will swap stories and tell tales while the Bullfrog Quartet practices the scales for their singing performance. Perhaps a game of cards after the feast will be in order. Fall will be different. We are different. Our thoughts are different. We are changing like the leaves.

We are entering the magical, mysterious season. Anything is possible. After all, we are here and we did not buy a ticket. We are prime players in a herculean performance. Our roles are vital to the success of the story. If we fail our performance on stage, the play will suffer. We are vital to the success of the greatest story ever told. The universe is watching. Angels are sitting in the front row. The Orchestra Conductor is raising his baton.

So we wait for our time to enter the stage. We will enjoy our grilled pork chops. MJ’s Baked Beans will be a special treat. Lee will catch many fish. Chef Aaron will perform a culinary masterpiece. We wait for the next door to open. Something special is about to happen. We are part of it. As we wonder what our role is and our importance to the Pagent…the angels envy us.