Tighten up your seatbelt Santa, it could get bumpy

How’s your calendar looking for the next 17 weeks? Well, summer is gone, and we are now in what always seems like the “Twilight Zone” of seasons. It’s a hazy, sort of misunderstood time when nothing much is planned except a little bit of a slowdown, and you haven’t really given that very much thought, have you? That’s okay. Here’s a little “heads up” to help you get oriented and find your way. First of all, in this nameless period we have an important annual event coming up next Monday. On the first Monday in September, we celebrate the intrinsic value, national pride and personal fulfillment of gainful employment and good old hard work. We, of course, do this by being just as lazy on that day as we possibly can be. Happy Labor Day, and thanks to all the businesses, industries and employers for being there, and thank the Lord for every job and every paycheck! Next on the calendar, comes issues of the highest national importance like high school and college football and the new class of NIL “millionaire athletes” under the age of twenty something. Thank goodness we once again have an excuse to cancel every other pursuit in life on Saturday afternoons and evenings to concentrate on who’s really number one in the national rankings. We also have finally found a way to take care of the struggling, most deprived and pitiful souls in organized sports. Yes, that would be the lawyers, agents and of course, the Corvette, Lamborghini and Mercedes salesmen down at the dealership who are kind enough to help the NIL kids spend their allowances. Like they said, “Show me the money!” So, like Hank Williams, Jr., I guess all we can say is, “We’re ready for some Football!” Anyhow, here’s a BIG shoutout to all our Tigers, Bulldogs and Eagles on both the high school and college levels. While we’re talking school sports, let’s also talk school people. Thanks to all the teachers, administrators, coaches, para-pros, support staff, bus drivers, school board members and last but certainly not least the superintendent who make it not only their business, but a personal priority to get our young folks ready for that world waiting outside. Of course, along with football will come the eagerly awaited first week of October when Farmer’s Almanac guarantees us the first evening temperature down in the 50s. Been waiting a while on that! Now that might not be big news up in Vermont, but down here, it will have your school kids scrambling for sweaters. That falls right in line with the reappearance of camouflaged wardrobe items that signal the start of other seasonal activities in the deer stands and the duck blinds and the dove field. Okay, by this time you are hearing a little voice telling you to “hunker down”, and it ain’t Larry Munson. The calendar on the refrigerator starts to look like a hen-scratching contest, and right along there you’ll be getting all set for Halloween. Then, before you can pack up your six-year old’s Taylor Swift costume, the in-laws are sitting down at your Thanksgiving table and of course the next day is Christmas, or that’s just how it seems, right? Witches, pilgrims, turkey and dressing and yellow leaves in the front yard. It’s magic, and it’s a workout. But that’s ok, just go with the flow, or with the blur whichever makes the most sense.

But before all of that, just take a deep breath and enjoy the peacefulness of this unhurried, ignored mini-season. The good news is you have a wonderful period of about six weeks before the roller coaster ride gets started. The other not-so-good news is that the ride doesn’t slow down and come to a stop until January 2, 2026. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Santa has not yet returned to the North Pole from tariff negotiations with China and he is also facing a labor dispute with the International Union of Flying Reindeer. So just remember, it could always get worse. Have a Happy Fall, ya’ll.…only 119 days til Christmas.