Sticking with Near Normal this week because conditions are relatively unchanged. Temps continue to trend generally lower. The risk of our first frost looks higher for the week ahead.

Things in the garden continue to wane except for the asters and sedum which are now in full bloom and the nut trees which are now approaching full ripeness (the black walnut has been producing nuts for a while, the chestnut has only had the earliest nuts ready).

Many Canada geese on migration and I heard, for the first time, howling (not yipping) at dawn. Not sure if that is coyotes or simply our local wild dogs, coydogs.

Allergies are on the increase with stuffiness becoming much more frequent.

In all, we have two comforts. First, more and more colorful leaves tumble past on the streets and lawns. Second, soup season is nigh and it is needed to warm against the cool, dare I write chill, in the air. Halloween decorations will start soon.