Summer ends and fall begins with little notice. Various schools start and the yellow worms begin to crawl over the hills and valleys covered in fog. In the morning the blinking red lights announce their presence in the mist of the morning. Fog is that wonderful blanket that covers so many nooks and crannies of the country.
The balloons floated off into blue skies and mist; quiet dreams floating on zephyrs and wisps of clouds rising from the earth. With a bit of luck it may be possible to have those colors stay for a full week.
Thoughts go back 50 years ago. Hot on the heels of moon walks and concerts, one more group of youngsters climbed aboard bus number 9, riding it into a strange new building and being led to Mrs. Rioux’s classroom. Adventures were about to begin that continue to this day. It was here that early lessons began, on meeting new people, learning new words, and realizing that the world was far larger than the yard in front of the house.
Another class has started their journey. What will they see? Their imagination and memories will guide them to new heights of inspiration and joy. They will live, love, and learn and in time these students will give to their future as we have given to them.
That late summer sun rises on the horizon, blazing red to yellow and revealing blue skies. Calm breezes brush the hairs and chase the leaves as another summer comes to an end.
Enjoy it all.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist living in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television later working in many different areas of the US. After 20 years of television he changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
