My calendar says, “Hummingbirds fill up for departure” and that seems to coincide with my own feelings of something ending or beginning. This is only my second fall not returning to the art room that was my home for so many years. There is a strong pull to begin a new school year with all those teenagers, short-shorts, cool T’s, and Wellington boots when it is not raining. The woods and water are lovely though and so I’m happy to linger in the north and savor that last warmth the lake has to offer, to paddle past the browning lily pads and quiet cabins.

 

So like the hummingbird I will soak up all that the north woods has to offer. I will walk observantly through the paths in the woods, be amazed at a tiny, bright red mushroom, and enjoy the pine needle softness of the trail. The first leaves have changed and fluttered golden color among the green ferns. An occasional flash of orange or red will dart out among the lush green forest causing you to look again.

 

I think we’ll follow with the hummingbirds to Mexico. They are currently filling up for a long flight over the Gulf of Mexico. For a hummer that is young they have no instructions on what to do, “only an urge to put on a lot of weight and fly in a particular direction for a certain amount of time, then look for a good place to spend the winter.” Sounds familiar.

 

We’ve wanted to visit the colonial city of Merida located at the top of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Maya, Spanish, French and British influences will make this a city of rich history, great food and Mayan ruins not too far away. And so as I begin to think of packing for Chicago, I will also need my summer clothes, but just a few things, travel light and easy is our new motto. For my teacher friends the adventures of wondrous summer travel are off in the distance, but our lives have changed and soon we will follow the hummingbirds.

“So here’s an end of roaming

On eves when autumn nighs:

The ear too fondly listens

For summer’s parting sighs,

And then the heart replies.”

A.E. Housman