It Is In The Air

One of the best things about living a little further north is that summer days last from 4:30 AM until around 11:00 PM.  The worse thing is the long, cold winters. Somewhere in the middle is Fall.

Now while to the East of us, they are still sweltering away, Fall has started to make its presence known here.  The days are quickly getting shorter and the air a little cooler.  It will not be long now before the leaves start to change colours.

I always get a bit nostalgic around this time of year. While I was never the best, or most diligent, student, I always seemed to look forward to the new school year.  Okay, truth be told, I looked forward to getting my new stuff to start the school year, even if it meant clothes shopping with my mother.

According to Staples, it is "the most wonderful time of the year".  Having run to Walmart yesterday for a bit of grocery shopping, you would think they were right. The store was likely as decorated for back to school as it would be for Christmas.

I saw one of the schools' supply lists that were stacked at the door.  I could not believe my eyes at what was expected.  Elementary students will be going back to school this year better equip than most doctoral candidates.

Back when I was a kid, (a phrase I never thought I would use) you showed up on the first day of school and got everything you needed.  A pencil, ruler, eraser, an 8 pack of crayons (or pencil crayons as you moved upward).  There was a hole punch and stapler on the teacher's desk and the pencil sharpener was bolted to the shelf of encyclopedias.