Summertime to end, but the living is easy

The first sign always seems to be that, suddenly, the sun is

falling earlier in the day.

Then, it becomes just a little too cool to leave the windows open

all night.

The most perceptive notice the leaves starting to fall from the

trees or the migrating birds heading south.

Kids know because everywhere they turn are signs declaring those

three words of absolute juvenile horror: Back to school.

Summer, once again, has just about fled.

Many in Newport-Mesa live for this extra perfect time of year, the

best months of months that are already better than in just about any

place else. After-work walks are sunset strolls instead of guided by

street lamps. There’s warmth in the early morning air.

The beach, the park and the patio seating at every restaurant cry

out for attention and attendance.

It’s the time of the Orange County Fair. It’s the time of boating

races in the harbor. It’s the time of the junior lifeguard program.

But it all has to come, sadly, to an end. Fall looms, and with it,

winter.

Of course, even that cold and rainy fact is tempered here. For,

while a noted poet has lamented that winter is never far behind

spring, Newport-Mesa residents can rejoice that winter here really

isn’t winter at all.