As cool nights and early sunsets roll into October, we squeeze out every last minute of the day in a last dash to get our farm work done before frost sets in. Mid July is always seductive with long, hot and dry days that tease that they’ll go one forever. Then late September reveals that conceit with the surprise of sunset while you’re still working. And so it goes, with the fall folia

This has been a stunningly dry year. So many times I have watched those predicted storms dissipate right as they passed over our farm. Yet another year or new transplant loss — it’s a good thing we planted extra. But, today, you’d never know we had a drought. The sky opened up and it came down like I have never seen it. Even hail! Let’s hope we get normal rain next year.