Four Reasons I LIKE the END of Montana Summer

First, I look forward to the end of summer weather because that means the end of lawn mowing, which eats up about 8 hours a week during the growing season. I can winterize my irrigation system and not think about watering, mowing, or fertilizing until next spring. Lovely.

Secondly, I look forward to autumn because school is back in session and so the tourists have pretty much gone home for the year. The exceptions are aging baby boomers and, since I am one, I have a great deal of new-found tolerance for this age group. Anyway, the streets and highways are not nearly so crowded, nor are the fishing streams, campgrounds, parks and other local attractions.

Third, or thirdly, I love the smell of football in the air. The University of Montana Grizzlies may OWN Saturday afternoons, but Friday Night Lights are still a big thing in Montana, and draws a HUGE crowd. High School football is still the primary team spectator sport in Montana between September and November. The Grizzlies are sort of like our PRO team, and high school teams are the "locals."

Fourth(ly), summer television really is for the birds; no wonder no one watches. The new Fall Season kicks off in September of each year and we can get back to our couches for nightly 7 pm to 10 pm kickback time. Reality Shows are cheap to produce and seem to draw big audiences, so this year we have So You Think You Can Dance, The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, and The Amazing Race, ALL beginning new seasons. These are just off the top of my head, I think there are also some cooking competition shows too. there may be even more on the "premium" channels, to which we do not subscribe. You see, in our house, reality TV seems to rule the roost. I know I don't.