Summer done; cuddle up with fall

Cracker Barrel Notes by Bob Krumm

Throughout Ohio school buildings, the lights are on early as students make their way back to classes. For some parents, it is an emotional experience, as they send their youngsters out into the world for the first time. Parents can be concerned about how their child will do in school, plus there are also worries about their safety while away from home.

One of our loyal readers, Jerry Matheny, likes to share interesting stories he comes across and sent me this e-mail about a similar situation.

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.

So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor, Mrs. Goodnest, a stay-at-home mother, if she would please follow her son to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.

Mrs. Goodnest said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, Mrs. Goodnest and her little girl, Marcy, set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?"

Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is."

"Well, who is she?

"That's just Shirley Goodnest and her daughter Marcy."

"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?"

"Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life' so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!"

It is hard to believe the summer has drawn to a close. However, it was nice to be able to open up the house windows the other day and air the place out. Between the hot weather, then the heavy rains, the place had been buttoned-up for several weeks.

I even had an opportunity to cut the grass, although it had taken on the appearance of a hay field. It took two cuttings to take care of the yard, because there were so many clippings the grass catcher couldn't keep up and had to be constantly emptied.

School and the county fair are not the only signs that summer has come to an end. Friends in Florida report seeing two huge flocks of Canada Geese passing overhead on their annual migration. I've also noticed that some of the oak trees are losing leaves already. And, of course, that wiry, unwieldy summer grass has made its appearance.

One of my favorite musical groups is the Moody Blues. This time of the year reminds me of their song, "December Snows." The lyrics, in part, go, "Hold on to warm September days, 'cause life can be like December snows."