It looks like Autumn, if you ignore the heat and humidity. Flowers are full-blown and beyond, the veggie garden is huge, it has been producing for so long, but languid as some plants have been for a while, they are beginning to get their second wind for a fall crop. It's a little cooler at night. The kids have gone back to school, and the semester has begun again at my university.

Preparations for the holidays will be underway any time now. Do we have the room to stage the events we would like to host? Room at the table for meals we want to share? Room to walk into the area where last year's holiday decorations are stored to easily get what we want, and are we keeping only the ornaments we actually use?

I'm getting a bit of a jump on September--it's because it's the 31st. I'm in an even/odd watering area and it means two days without setting up sprinklers to water my garden, should I wish to, unless I fudge and treat today like a free day. So along with running my sprinkler, I'm getting a start on September's de-cluttering.

I'm finding more outlets for some of the things I want to move out. eBay, consignment store, Craig's list, garage sale (finally cool enough again soon), donation, or just leave it at the curb to be hauled away or picked up by a passer-by.

There is light at the end of this tunnel. I had guests over for dinner last week and the table and counters in the combination kitchen/dining area are still relatively clear. There wasn't as much junk that had to be put back on the table after the guests left.

Fall is when I finally have real energy--I crave that first cool, crisp, clear day when the air crackles with fall color and carries the smells of leaves on the ground. When I get out my sweaters and blankets later this month or in October, I'll look to see what else is in there with them, and see what can leave permanently. (eBay is setting up a couple of new categories for antique and collectible linens--I have quite a few that could go that way.)

Okay, booster speech is over. Good luck, all!

SRS