October Grousing   It’s getting cold, and the verdict is in: the autumn leaves this year aren’t up to snuff. The golds are spotty, the reds are thin, and, sure, lovely — just not lovely enough. Summer’s over. Time to nurse our regrets like steaming mugs of mulled cider. The darkness comes much too soon now, and all our debts are stamped PAST DUE. Even the stars don’t sparkle like they used to. Life was better before. Against our will, we can concede the fact that we live for the seasons, all that stuff about autumn in New England, so glorious, et cetera. Fall has been miraculous — but not miraculous enough.     © Michael Fleming Marlboro, Vermont October 2021