I dread this day each year.

Check that, I dread this day each year x 2.

First off, I don’t like the day after Halloween.

No, I’m not a trick or treating ten year old. And I do not have an unhealthy fear of Movember (I could grow a mean mustache if I wanted to).

The day after October 31 each year represents the end of an era; and that “era” is the Fall. Technically I realize we still have another month and a half of the season, but you cannot tell me that it doesn’t look and feel way different once November 1st hits.

Most of the remaining leaves fall off of the branches overnight. Those wonderful shades of red/orange/gold are cut by like 75%. The air smells different. There is a new kind of chill/breeze in the air.

No thank you.

Here is some photographic proof:

The last surviving bloom in my garden.

The last of the peppers have fallen off and surrendered.

The grasses are moving closer to their winter buff color and were swaying in the wind like mad today.

Now that the few remaining flower petals and color have decided to leave us, all we have until Spring are the seed heads.

The concept of bark is back.

To add to the misery and reason #2 why I hate November 1st this year, is the arrival of Daylight Savings Time. The dreaded early evenings are back. I have to leave work each night in complete blackness.

Yes, the darkness has descended upon us. And this is what it did to me overnight.

And my wife was infected as well.

You have to admit, we are awesome looking zombies.