I have brought in the croquet hoops and wiped the dirt off in preparation for winter storage. I should also paint over a couple of chips, to prevent rust. This would indicate that summer is over. Another indication: the cold heavy rain we've had over the weekend. It's threatening to turn areas of the backyard into muddy bog, and is the only part of the seasonal change that I do not like -- that abrupt switch from warm, clean, well-mowed summer to chilly, wind-blown, rotting-leaf autumn. Once I adjust, it becomes my favorite season.

On the other hand, the deck is only half-done. One wonders what exposure to the rainstorms will cause it, and if there remains a chance of a stretch of warm, sunny weather that will allow its completion. But one doesn't want to complain, do one.