It hints at fall for weeks, with subtly changing light and softly lengthening shadows, with the changing colors of the grasses and the golden palette of the wildflowers. The rosehips are suddenly scarlet, the pumpkins just wait to be picked. The meadowlark no longer sings, but the doves do, sweetly and quietly.

And then the apples! Over the next few weeks they’ll get sweeter, but they are blushing and weighing heavy on the boughs. The house smells heavenly, with the wonderful aromas of autumn.