A general shortage of news has left me reporting on the start of school here in Manaloosa. I have to go to Walmart to be sure. Back to school sales and Halloween decorations are reminders in every store nationwide. Residents are hunkered down in the August equivalent of January up north. The weather is so at odds with the pursuit of human happiness it becomes by default a good time to organize photographs or take up genealogy. A very thin and sweaty UPS driver just walked quickly to the Maynard's front door. The pavement threatens to melt the soles of his shoes, so his bosses really love his speed at this time of year. He nervously scans a package and runs back to the truck. The Maynard's dogs have been loosed on him several times. Other drivers have refused this route and filed complaints. This is the time of year we stop gloating about how great our weather is compared with the homeland back in Illinois. They have about six good days left of summer. Sunset is p...