Seems a strange thing to do

Although the raking of leaves

Prepares the canvas for

White snowflakes on the ground…

Stacking the logs for a fire to glow

On cold nights that chill to the soul…

Taking down the umbrella that has kept

Our patio cool…now letting the sun shine

Through the windows to warm up the view,

And Now…

Realizing that the windows need cleaned

And gutters must be emptied of this seasons

Falling leaves that will clog and cause

Ice dams to invade the roof…

Screens from doors are replaced

With glass… to help our new furnace

Keep the cold out as the house warms

When the air conditioner is flipped to heat

On our thermostat…

Replacing the filters so the warm air can

Flow as our installer has preached…

Cleaning up the garage so cars

Can stay within…one less chore to

Do when the snow flakes fall…

Winter cleaning is really the chore

Of preparing for a cold weather

Keeping the cold out and us,

All warm inside…

Summer clothes are moved to the back

Of the closets as mittens, hats and furs

Are brought forward along with boots,

Shovels and hot chocolate with

Marshmallows for cold

Trips in the snow…

Aging makes one realize that

Winter is more hazardous

When one has traveled

“Over the Hill”