And, suddenly, it’s autumn.

It seems that just days ago, the kids were playing with a water hose and spending long afternoons at Whitewater Bay.

Just a few days ago, it was soften-the-asphalt hot.

Just a few weeks ago, the sun backed the sidewalk and the cicadas and lightning bugs were busy.

But the Earth, as she always does, rolled again on her belly, and summer began its slow fade into fall. For the record: Autumn arrived officially this week at about a little before noon Monday.

Now, the nights will turn cool.

Football season is already well underway, but football — played on a crisp October night and seasoned with huge Frito chili pie and a large, hot coffee — is a delight that has to be experienced.

With autumn, standard time will return. We’ll find the hour we lost, put away the shorts and T-shirts, and unpack sweaters.

Autumn brings Halloween.

Autumn brings color.

Autumn brings the sharp, sensuous smell of woodsmoke, barbeque and burning leaves.

Autumn brings harvest.

With autumn, God reminds us of his skill as a painter — gold, oranges, reds and deep, rich purple sunsets.

My dogs like autumn.

They stretch themselves across the backyard, jealously guarding the sunny spots and sleep that deep, uninterested sleep only known to dogs.