Summer just did a backflip off the stage while no one was looking - into the interminable blackness of the orchestra pit known as Fall.

Driving home through the 'country' of Sudbury/Concord every night, I am reminded how dark the earth can be. The bucolic stretches of backroad and golf course morph into an eerie Tim Burton set around 5 pm.

On nights when there is fog or a mist in the air it is unbelievably morose, yet somewhat beautiful.

20 minutes of shadowy backroad to reach Rte 2, from there an easy 15 minutes home. Though sometimes the exit for East Arlington can back up and it can take another 15 minutes to crawl towards Mass Ave.

The commuters are captive on the slow moving train - like Barnum & Bailey elephants, while the joggers and bicyclists on the bike trail swerve in and out, unaware of how enticing their freedom is.