Requiem for sunny days

Today is the first day of fall. Right on cue, a warm and brilliant weekend, the essence of summer compressed into two days, gave way to a misty morning with a touch of coolness to it.

Summer is the quickest season. No sooner does it start than it seems half over, then soon enough it really is over.

Winter is the longest season. It drags on and on and then March and April come sulkily to prolong the agony.

Autumn may be the most beautiful season but to me it is the undertaker of summer, attending to its duties with a gloomy air. It buries us in leaves before winter comes to bury us in sleet and snow.

Meanwhile ...

I see that the Republicans have successfully held out for a more formal, less free-wheeling vice presidential debate that will favor the chances of Sarah Palin not making so much of a fool of herself. Apparently she can face down a charging moose but she can't be trusted to shoot down an impromptu question or two.

I wonder if those who think she is so qualified for high office wonder why she can't be trusted to face any questioner not inclined to play softball with her? Does it occur to them why she is not a guest on the Sunday morning public affairs shows?

Well, of course not. Answering hostile questions all by yourself is what elitists do.

Don't know which is worse. Sarah Palin regurgitating her well-coached talking points all the way to the White House or the coming of winter. Either way, we get snowed.