What happened to Autumn?

Overnight, the wind came up; the rain turned into snow. We weren't quite prepared seeing snow, albeit a light coating on the grass that went away as soon as the sun hit it. But it's just short of mid-October and the general mental rule for me to accept wintry weather is that it can not arrive until after my birthday, which is in a couple of weeks.

As much as I'd like to influence when the snow flies around here, it just doesn't work that way.
So today the storm windows were hung, the flannel sheets and down comforters replaced the lighter weight linens for the season, winter outerwear inventory was reviewed and updated, and the backyard summer toys were picked up and stored away.

When Max picked up the shovel and the sand bucket, he was a bit surprised to find whatever rainwater that fell in it from the past day had turned into ice. It was a funny thing to behold.

So long, warm weather. See you again in another six months.