I grew up in the most northern town in Maine. Our average snowfall was 220 inches. The ground froze in October and didn't thaw until tax day...In January we enjoyed 5 hours of timid sun light.

Autumn was our last gasp before the frigid darkness curled about us. It is hard to move anything,,including your mind when you are cold. In those deep dark frozen months,,drinking and fornification were the only sports in town. Finally someone invented the snowmobile and well,,then noise invaded the silent world of ice and snow,,,but fewer babies were born the following fall. Alcoholism kills more people in the far North than heart attacks...

To this day,,even though I now live in far more temperate climates,,,I cringe a bit with each orange leave,,,for I know what is to come..

Lenny