We’ve just passed Midsomer. The days go long into the evening, which makes the kids bedtimes run later. I more frequently fall asleep while reading their bedtime stories.

Fireflies dazzle and decorate our backyard each night, the grass grows unspeakably quick after each mowing, and the corn is strong and tall. Farmers markets are bustling, parks are seen filled for festivals, and the baseball diamonds are overflowing with little kids.

Birthday parties, baby showers, and bounce houses are everywhere. The lakes are abuzz with kayaks, shore fishers, and splashing kids. Tanned skin, polarized sunglasses, and corner ice cream parlors are common features.

To put it simply, we are firmly in the throes of a midwest Summer.

And yet…. you can already feel the whisper of changes coming.

There’s a certain posture to the maple trees that is no longer the eager growth of the spring. It’s in the sleek haircoat and filled-out frames of the woodchucks. It’s a deep summer sigh, amongst the frenetic pace of activities, that says it might be time for a nap. The shadows are wee bit longer and this years goslings look like their parents from a distance.

The Sturgeon Moon is only two weeks away… and how quickly the time always goes between it and the Harvest Moon.