Ah September: All the Signs of Summer Are Behind Us

Welcome to September.

Sure, it’s going to be hot this month. But nothing like experiencing the blistering heat of June, July or August,

September is one of those transitional months. Most baseball interest gives way to football, save the unbridled fanaticism of our St. Louis Cardinals. That might go on until early November.

There’s a snap in the air as cool breezes take over on autumnal nights.

We could say September marks back to school, but kids were crammed into their desks by mid-August. What ever happened to waiting until after Labor Day?

The state legislature used to mandate no school bell ringing until after Labor Day. That way, they could squeeze out every last tourism buck at the Lake of the Ozarks.

I love September. When I was a kid, we used to burn leaves and the smell was aromatic. Do that now and you’d get arrested.

There’s nothing finer than high school football on Friday night; Mizzou on Saturday’s and the NFL on Sunday. Notice, I didn’t blow any bouquets to our beloved Rams. They have much to prove before I waste Sundays in front of the television set.

September is road trip time. There’s nothing better than jetting off to Hermann, Missouri to hang out or sip some wine at many of the stops along the way in Augusta.

I hope September doesn’t come and go too fast. You know, by October we have Halloween then its off to old man winter blowing his icy blast on us.

Without fail, winter begins the third week of November. Take my word on that. After covering high school football for countless years, I can fondly recall the temperature plunge and the freezing rains of the football playoffs everyone of those weekends.

In Missouri, as they say, if you don’t like the weather, just wait 20 minutes.

Once in October or November, I remember my dad taking me to a Mizzou football game. When we arrived it was sunny and 70 degrees. By the end of the game, it was down to 20 degrees and starting to snow.

So we relish September like no other month. The weather is great. There are craft fairs and neighborhood festivals all over town. Take your pick: St. Charles, Dutch Town, Tower Grove Park, Central West End, the Loop, everywhere. The Botanical Gardens will be gearing up for Best of Missouri Market. Bike riders are clogging the streets. In particular, I love the criterium around the Benton Park neighborhood.

September has arrived and I for one think that’s cause for celebration. The party is on.