By Sheri LeClair Banitt
The value of sunshine in Minnesota is never more measurable than in the late summer harvest. The gardens have been producing, and I have been cooking, canning, freezing and eating fresh food.
Now it’s time to fill all bird seed and suet feeders and put away the lawn decor. The pool has been covered and soon the lawn chairs will be covered for winter. Geraniums have been replaced with sunflowers and mums. The leaves are changing and fall is on the wind.
Plants that were set outside for the summer have been brought indoors with grow lights set up to keep them thriving.
Soon Minnesotans will be raking leaves under autumn sunshine. Apples are ready for harvest, and we are making soup and chili. High school football games are in full swing.
In a land of snow and cold, there is plenty to do to get ready for winter. One little squirrel thought placing his walnut on the front steps would be a good hedge against the weather. Or maybe he just decided to leave winter prep for another day and ran off to enjoy the last of the warm days.