For the most part, the change has still been almost imperceptible, but it is there. It’s a fire are brushed across masses of green, there are just enough splashes of gold and orange, however, to warn that the changing of the guard is on the way.

Here in Vermont, that’s the sign to get the firewood stacked and the studs in the tires. It’s the time to get ready to bundle up and hunker down, and I have yet to meet a single Vermonter, who isn’t secretly giddy at the prospect.