An Early Autumn

The drought continues, despite the rain we had Saturday. Yes, very nice, thank you, but could we please have that every day for a week?

The lawns are still brown.

And the leaves are changing color. It was especially noticeable on my way to the car dealer's Saturday, and it was more than just the first twinge of autumn.

Besides confusing me, it made me sad.

My lawn is now obviously a bed of weeds. Before this drought, my philosophy was if it's green, it can stay. Well, nothing's green. I don't know how much rain it would take to get the grass back. I've noticed that even people who have been watering their lawns have great patches of brown in the yard.

I know I'm out of touch with the media. But it was only last week that I finally heard someone talking about the drought. I don't think the hearts and minds of the people of New Jersey are exactly tuned to the Gulf Oil Disaster. Or even on the continuing plight of Haiti. Or the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And Iraq. And any other place where we've been getting into trouble.

No, this is Jersey. People here are generally ot-nay-oo-tay-ight-bray. But when they sober up from Tony's barbecue or the weekend on Frankie's boat, they look at their formerly emerald green lawns and a cry goes up to Heaven.

I'm the disgrace of the neighborhood but at least we've all now sunk to the common lawn denominator.