Signs of Impending Doom

Around here I am seeing the signs.  Most young girls and giggly teens are merrily making their way, with or without mom, to the shops in search of some brand spankin' new clothing for back to school.  The boys, on the other hand, are keenly feeling impending doom school looming right around the corner, and are seen downcast and stumbling and mumbling, dragging their bottom lips behind them on the sidewalk.

Time rolls on and those lazy, fun, longggggggg days of summer are suddenly wizzing by  (how does that happen?) towards that inevitable doom  return to books and papers and projects and studying and learning.

I live in a small town, and these cyclical changes and signs are sometimes the biggest news there is.  And I suppose that can be a good thing.  Here's how I know it's almost TIME:

1.  The borough workers are spiffing up the town, just in time for schools to start - both the local school district and the Bucknell University.  That way, when those Bucknell parents arrive to drop off their freshmen children, they will want to donate MORE money to the college, because it looks so nice around here.  Landscaping is being spiffed up, and road lines and curbs are being repainted.

2.  The local Campus Theater says "Welcome Freshman!"  on its marquee.

3.  Balloons are flying all around town in the Bucknell University school colors.

4.  Hundreds of green and white ribbons (Lewisburg High School's school colors) are tied all along the fence next to the high school football practice field.  

5.  There is a steady stream of college students meandering into the Bucknell University bookstore, no matter what time of day it is.  

6.  Once again the "Slow - School is in Session" signs are hanging at critical crossings in the busiest areas of town.

7.  Our local Wal-Mart has about one half of an acre of school supplies, smack dab in the middle of its empire store.

8.  Flyers are arriving daily in my mailbox, advertising "Lowest prices ever" on back to school clothing and backpacks.  Where and how did that tradition of wearing something brand new on the first day of school get started anyway?

9.  I've noticed the local playgrounds are fairly deserted all of a sudden.

10.  The high school marching band and the high school football team have been sharing the practice field behind the high school.  

11.  Alas, the community swimming pool is closed now for now until its last event in another week or two - the town doggie swim.  

So the seasons come and go and lately I'm getting a few inklings of Fall.  I'm glad I live in a place where the seasons change.  I'd miss those changes if I never had them.  

Now, if I could just get the passing of the years to slowwwww dowwwwwwnnnn.......