Already dreading

It's August. September is next, then October, then -- I can hardly say it -- the snow season begins. Didn't winter just end a few weeks ago? Isn't it time for crocuses and tulips? I love Minnesota, and I really don't mind the quality of our winters up here, it's the quantity of it that bothers me. Last winter was really, really long. I am dreading the next one already. After Christmas, the 3-month winter stretch seems unbearable. Come January I will look back on these pictures here and start counting the days ...