The smells and feelings of Fall are in the air. And the transition from this season to another is happening right now. 

So, what does that mean?

First, I know this sounds sacrilegious, but I am looking forward to our garden drying up. I don’t dare say it, do I? I want it to stop producing. The tomatoes just don’t know when to say, “I give!” Stupid little round, red things! How could I love them so much at the beginning, and now, I can hardly look at their little red faces?

Because they are still peeking out abundantly from the now dried and wrinkled leaves of the bushes, I have to do something with them. They stare at me with their green brothers getting ready to ripen next! Give them away? Yes. Can them? Yes. Make salsa? O.K. but not me, I’m done. I merely want to change our kitchen back to a neat, clear facility without canning jars, jar rings, and buckets full of tomatoes rotting and smelling. 

There. Now I feel better.

Next. What does the seasonal transition mean to me? The change of clothing, that’s what! And might I remind us all, that such a task as this requires more than just moving the piles of clothing to another location, or carrying hangers from one place to another. 

Nope. It means throwing some of the worn out, stained garments away, or if they are in good condition, keeping only the ones that fit. Did you hear me? Fit. I need to try on clothes and decide that those items that didn’t fit this summer, do not need to be hauled to another storage area in the house. Reality must be faced and space opened for more, necessary items.

Oh, and while I am at it, I need to get rid of clothing that I never wear anyway.  

No excuses. No “I’ll put these away and do the sorting later.”

It’s a psychological test, folks.

What does the change of seasons mean to me?  

Eventually, it will mean bringing some plants into the house for next spring. Fred is especially merciful to plants. He doesn’t want that any should suffer death, but I am the “grinch” and have limited the intake. They show up in the bathroom and the bedrooms as well as the great room. But this amount is manageable, and after cleaning up the mess of bringing them inside, and setting them on their respective perches, this greenery looks pretty good.

You thought you were going to hear the normal fall remarks, didn’t you? Football, tree leaves turning beautiful colors, cool weather, sweaters, cooking chili and stews, caramel apples, cider... I know. Those all are terrific, mood building anticipations.

Next. It’s time to clean some areas of the house before the cold sets in. (I alluded to that chore in the kitchen. Did you catch it?) 

Time to wash windows. (Oh no, do we have to? ) Change the wreath on the front door. Sunflowers, daisies, and such don’t fit anymore. 

Fake flowers need to take a hike. Hoses must be disconnected from the faucets and rolled up, put away. That’s a bit down the road, I know, but definitely transitional.

Now, let’s get to work. No pain, no gain. 

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com.