Berkshire Fall

Over the past several weeks we have had at least two light and scattered frosts, right on schedule. A few days ago many morning commuters had to scrape their windshields and turn on their seat heaters, if they had them. Most unheated swimming pools have been closed, and well insulated homes have been able to avoid turning on the heat over night by attending to their windows, but many have had to endure the sound of that basement boiler consuming BTUs on cool mornings.
After those frosts and cool nights one Berkshire compensation graces low-lying areas, the early fall color of what we call swamp maples, their brilliant reds often contrasting with still-green foliage.
Indian summer by definition is that time after first frost when cold mornings yield to warm afternoon sun, which helps us forget the rapid shortening of the days and the sound of the basement boiler.