Like many others I dread the end of summer and the coming cold weather. I could even say I enjoy the fall if I weren’t too busy dreading the coming cold and mourning the death of the sun for all but a handful of daytime hours (during which I’m in a windowless basement).

The recent spring-like fall days have been wonderful though and I’ve come to notice the difference of fall in the city. Normally, I notice fall approaching when the corn stalks are brown and stiff and evenings are filled with sounds of rustling leaves. Here the appearance of pea coats and closeout sales on summer clothing are more prominent.

However, I was surprised to notice the unmistakable scent of fall evenings are just the same. Stepping out in the crisp evening I could close my eyes and swear I was back in Ohio. I assumed the smell was dry leaves and woodsmoke but evidently not.