The autumnal equinox is a week away, and I am very aware of the rapidly shortening days. I don’t mean that I say to myself, Gee, we lost another four minutes of daylight today. Rather, my whole being responds to the lessening daylight : I want to sleep longer; my spirits are lower; I grow anxious if I can’t get outdoors for an hour or so while the sun is still high.

A couple of weeks ago, I planted some Swiss chard in our tiny little garden between our building and the building next door. It has been warm, and we have had plenty of rain, and the seeds sprouted and started to grow, but they have gotten spindly with that look that they’re not getting enough light. The sun has gotten so low in the sky that the buildings to the south block direct sunlight for all except half an hour a day. I don’t hold out too much hope for our Swiss chard.

I usually look forward to autumn, but this year I only seem to notice the loss of sunlight.