TOO WEIRD: “Unusual weather? I have flowers blooming that
normally bloom in spring and early summer – foxgloves, glads,
petunias, irises and lilies are resprouting.”

Alvin Van Horn of Austin sent us that note Friday.

He added, “Also my pepper plants have reblossomed and have
peppers about the size of golf balls after already picking the
first crop, also my tomatoes have reblossomed and are starting new
tomatoes, and my summer squash has a new crop on it with lots of
blossoms. Strange for the last of October.”

Alvin’s report of tomato plants re-blossoming is not the only
one we’ve heard this fall. Kind of makes us regret tearing out our
garden at the beginning of September.

There is no denying that a 70-degree day, or more, in the middle
of October is weird for Bradford.

Another weird thing is the changing of the leaves. We had
scoffed in early October as the so-called experts said the foliage
would peak about 10 days later than normal.

Always our trees have peaked around Oct. 8, give or take a
day.

However, we must admit that the leaves are close to peaking as
we write this column. Driving home yesterday was a breathtaking
panorama of reds, yellows, orange and green. Gorgeous.

Bradford’s leaves have been even more stubborn this year, and
the trees have clung onto their green leaves like moms hanging onto
their kids on the first day of kindergarten (or vice versa).

Even they, however, have begun the slow change and are very near
peak. If only today’s rain doesn’t knock them to the forest
floor.

One other oddity. This year, we have not seen a single ladybug
inside or outside of our house. Usually warm late weather brings
them quickly to the surface. Perhaps others have seen them but, if
so, they have yet to call and ask us for an explanation of the
infestation.

Is this global warming or normal climactic change? We certainly
don’t know but Bradford residents cannot deny that this past summer
was unusually hot and dry, and even lasted far longer than
normal.

We liked that, of course, but are also grateful that we continue
to have a good supply of water – at least for now. Water, it’s been
said, will some day replace oil as the most valuable fluid on the
planet. Perhaps that day is closer than we think.